PROSTAGLANDIN E(2) PRODUCTION IN SUBMANDIBULAR SALIVARY-GLANDS OF RATS IN ESSENTIAL FATTY-ACID DEFICIENCY

Three groups of rats were fed an essential fatty acid (EFA)-deficient diet (EFAD), marginally EFA-deficient diet (MEFAD) or a control diet. Arachidonic acid levels in total phospholipids and the ex-vivo product ion of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in the presence of calcium ionophor e were measured at 5 and 9 weeks in the submandibular salivary glands (SMSG). The arachidonic acid levels were significantly different among the 3 groups of rats fed the respective diets for 9 weeks. Ex-vivo PG E(2) production was significantly decreased in the EFAD group but not in the MEFAD group as compared to the control group. The changes in fa tty acid composition, arachidonic acid levels and ex-vivo production o f PGE(2) were reversed after 5 weeks of feeding the control diet to th e EFAD or the MEFAD rats. Since arachidonic acid and PGE(2) are involv ed in signal transduction pathways in the SMSG, an EFA deficiency is l ikely to modify these pathways.