Zinc Affects Cholesterol Oxidation Products and Fatty Acids Composition in Rats' Serum.

Agnieszka Stawarska,Robert Wrzesień,Barbara Bobrowska-Korczak,Rafał Wyrębiak,Małgorzata Czerwonka

doi:10.3390/nu13051563

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of the nanosized or microsized zinc (Zn) particles on fatty acid profile, enzyme activity and the level of cholesterol, squalene and oxysterols in rats with breast cancer. Rats (female, n = 24) were divided into the following groups: control, and two test groups, whose diets were enriched with either Zn microparticles (342 nm) or Zn nanoparticles (99 nm). All rats were treated twice with the carcinogenic agent; 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. In rats whose diet was enriched with zinc (especially in the form of nanoparticles), the number and sizes of tumors were lower. Diet supplementation also significantly reduced the cholesterol (p = 0.027) and COPs (cholesterol oxidation products) levels (p = 0.011) in rats serum. Enriching the diet with Zn microparticles decreased the Δ6-desaturase activity (p < 0.001). Zn influences fatty acids’ profile in rats’ serum as well as inhibiting desaturating enzymes. A reduced amount of pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid derivatives may be the expected effect.

Highlights

The fatty acids profile in the body depends on fatty acids intake with a diet, their endogenous synthesis and the activity of enzymes responsible for the metabolism of fatty acids
The increase of linoleic acid’s (LA) supply in the diet causes the increase of the amount of arachidonic acid (AA), which is known to be the main substrate of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids
Studies show that some fatty acids, e.g., LA, can stimulate the carcinogenic process, but others, e.g., γ-linolenic acid (GLA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can inhibit this process

Summary

Introduction

The fatty acids profile in the body depends on fatty acids intake with a diet, their endogenous synthesis and the activity of enzymes responsible for the metabolism of fatty acids. These processes are influenced by both physiological and pathological conditions that occur in the body. When the α-linolenic acid (ALA) consumption increases, the increase in the quantity of n-3 acids follows, while the synthesis of n-6 acids decreases. This is due to the competition between families for the same enzymes. Desaturases activity plays a crucial part in both LA and ALA metabolism

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