METABOLITES OF CONJUGATED ISOMERS OF LINOLEIC-ACID (CLA) IN THE RAT

Metabolism of conjugated isomers of linoleic acid (CLA) in rats was st udied by feeding high quantities of CLA (180 mg/day) for six days to a nimals that had been reared on a fat-free diet for two weeks. After th is period, animals were sacrificed and liver lipids extracted. High-pe rformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses with UV detection reve aled the presence of conjugated polyunsaturated fatty acids in the tot al liver lipid methyl esters. After isolation by HPLC, three fatty aci d metabolites were identified by gas liquid chromatography coupled wit h mass spectrometry as being C20:3 Delta 8,12,14, C20:4 Delta 5,8,12,1 4 and C20:4 Delta 5,8,11,13. A higher quantity of C20:4 Delta 5,8,12,1 4 compared to C20:4 Delta 5,8,11,13 was observed. These must arise fro m the elongation and desaturation of 18:2 Delta 10,12 and 18:2 Delta 9 ,11, respectively. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.