CHARACTERIZATION OF CONJUGATED DIENE FATTY-ACIDS IN MILK, DAIRY-PRODUCTS, AND LAMB TISSUES

Conjugated diene isomers of linoleic acid (CLA), possess anticarcinoge nic and antiatherogenic properties, but little is known about their me tabolism. We have recently obtained evidence that CLA present in parti ally hydrogenated oil can be metabolized to conjugated linolenic and e iosatrienoic acids in rat liver. In the present study, we have investi gated whether CLA are metabolized in the liver of lambs, which normall y consume high levels of CLA produced in the rumen and present in thei r diet, consisting exclusively of milk. Conjugated linolenic, eicosatr ienoic, and arachidonic acids were detected in lamb liver phospholipid s showing that elongation and desaturation of CLA occur also in lamb t issues, and that all metabolites maintain the conjugated diene structu re.