Polyethenoid fatty acid metabolism. VII. Effect of oxidized linoleate preparations

Abstract

1. 1. In two trials, fat-deficient rats were given daily supplements of ethyl linoleate, ethyl linoleate plus benzoyl peroxide, partly oxidized ethyl linoleate, ethyl linoleate peroxide, decomposed linoleate peroxide, reduced linoleate peroxide, and conjugated ethyl linoleate over periods of 4 and 6 weeks. Weight gain, dermal symptoms, and water consumption of the animals was recorded. At the end of the periods of supplementation the rats were killed, and the total fatty acids and arachidonic acid measured in each. 2. 2. All supplements containing ethyl linoleate, with or without peroxide, cured the deficiency symptoms, reduced water consumption and stimulated arachidonic acid synthesis. 3. 3. Linoleate peroxide, reduced linoleate peroxide, decomposed linoleate peroxide, and conjugated linoleate were unable to stimulate arachidonate synthesis, dermal symptoms were worsened, growth was decreased, and water consumption remained high. These substances, which have conjugated double-bond systems in common, might thus be said to exhibit a toxic effect upon fat-deficient rats. 4. 4. The enzymatic preparation of ethyl linoleate peroxide is described.