EFFECTS OF DIETARY-PROTEIN AND FAT ON LINOLEIC AND ALPHA-LINOLENIC ACID METABOLISM AND PROSTACYCLIN PRODUCTION IN STROKE-PRONE SPONTANEOUS HYPERTENSIVE RATS

The effects of dietary proteins (casein or soybean protein) and fats ( perilla oil high in alpha-linolenic acid or safflower oil high in lino leic acid) on the fatty acid composition of liver microsomes and the a ortic prostacyclin production were studied in stroke-prone spontaneous hypertensive rats. The stimulating effects of casein compared to soyb ean protein on linoleic acid and cr-linolenic acid metabolism and pros tacyclin production were confirmed in this rat model. The ratio of (20 :3n-6 + 20:4n-6)/18:2n-6, the linoleic acid desaturation index of live r microsomes was reflected in that of aorta. In addition, there was a highly positive correlation between the linoleic acid desaturation ind ex of phosphatidylcholine and the prostacyclin production of the aorta . Thus, the results of the present study indicated a significant role of dietary protein in the regulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids an d hence, the eicosanoid production. The data showed a possible prefera ble effect of casein in relation to soybean protein.