CHANGES IN FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF PLASMA, LIVER-MICROSOMES, AND ERYTHROCYTES IN LIVER-CIRRHOSIS INDUCED BY ORAL INTAKE OF THIOACETAMIDE IN RATS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in fatty acid compos ition of lipids of plasma, erythrocytes, and liver microsomes in rats with liver cirrhosis induced by oral intake of thioacetamide and to de termine to what extent the experimental model reproduces the fatty aci d tissue alterations reported in human cirrhosis. Two groups of rats w ere studied. The control group received water ad libitum, and the expe rimental group received 0.03% w/v thioacetamide in drinking water for 2, 4, and 6 months. At these times, lipids of plasma, erythrocytes, an d liver microsomes were extracted, and their fatty acid compositions w ere determined. Thioacetamide intake led to macronodular and micronodu lar cirrhosis at 2 months. These alterations progressed at 4 months an d eventuated in liver tumors at 6 months. Thioacetamide-treated rats s howed a drop in total plasma fatty acids, higher percentages of palmit ic acid in all Lipid fractions, and lower levels of stearic acid in er ythrocyte lipids and liver microsomal phospholipids. Oleic acid increa sed in plasma cholesteryl esters and phospholipids, as well as in eryt hrocyte lipids and liver microsomal phospholipids, In plasma lipids an d liver microsomal phospholipids, the percentages of arachidonic and d ocosahexaenoic acids decreased. The latter also decreased in erythrocy te lipids. In addition, liver microsomes showed a higher cholesterol/l ipid phosphorus molar ratio. The experimental model of cirrhosis obtai ned by intake of thioacetamide in drinking water for 4 months reproduc es many of the fatty acid tissue alterations that appear in human cirr hosis and may serve to ascertain the biochemical mechanisms involved i n these changes.