Oxidation and activation of unsaturated fatty acids

Abstract

1. 1. Small amounts of unsaturated fatty acids are oxidized to CO 2, both in vivo and in vitro, at a greater rate than the corresponding saturated fatty acids. 2. 2. Fat-feeding to rats stimulates the rate of oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. 3. 3. Cholesterol-feeding to rabbits, but not to rats, stimulates the oxidation of all fatty acids by mitochondria, especially unsaturated fatty acids. 4. 4. Long-chain unsaturated fatty acids are more readily activated by mitochondrial enzymes than most saturated acids.