INFLUENCE OF SPONTANEOUS HYPERTENSION ON N-3 DELTA-6-DESATURASE ACTIVITY AND FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF RAT HEPATOCYTES

The first and rate limiting step in the conversion of alpha-linolenic acid is catalyzed by the delta-6-desaturase enzyme. The activity of su ch an enzyme was studied in order to investigate the n-3 Polyunsaturat ed Fatty Acid biogenesis during hypertension. Rat isolated hepatocyte n-3 delta-6-desaturase activity was higher in 1 month old Spontaneousl y Hypertensive Rats prehypertensive period- as compared to normotensiv e Wistar Kyoto rats, whereas there was no significant difference at 12 months- hypertensive period-. Our data indicate no correlation betwee n the directly measured enzyme activity and the changes in hepatocyte n-3 fatty acid compositions. The loss of hepatocyte n-3 delta-6-desatu rase activity in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat may be a key facto r in the evolution of hypertension related to aging through altering t he eicosanoid balance.