EFFECTS OF NITRIC-OXIDE SYNTHASE INHIBITION ON PHOSPHOLIPID FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF BROWN ADIPOSE-TISSUE

We investigated the effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibition on the phospholipid fatty acid composition of brown adipose tissue by admini stering chronic N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (0.01%) to rats via drinking water. L-NAME caused a significant decrease in C 14:0, C16:0, C16:1 and C18:1, with a concomitant increase in C18:0 and C18:2. L-NAME treatment elicited an increase in the unsaturation inde x. There were no significant changes in other fatty acids including th e polyunsaturated fatty acids docosahexaenoate (DHA, C22:6) and arachi donate (C20:4). Polyunsaturated fatty acid linoleate (C18:2) was incre ased and the arachidonate index decreased in the L-NAME-treated group, suggesting a diminished conversion of C18:2 to C20:4.