Effect of FA composition on epoxidation kinetics of TAG

The rate constants of epoxidation were determined by reacting formic acid with a number of oils, pure TAG, and pure FAME. These results showed that FA composition had a significant effect on the value of the rate constant. In TAG, the double bonds of oleic acid and linoleic acid were equally reactive, and the double bonds of linolenic acid were approximately three times more reactive than oleic and linoleic acids. For FAME, the rate constants of epoxidation increased as the level of unsaturation increased. Furthermore, the rate constants of epoxidation for the FAME were higher than their respective TAG. We conclude that steric and electronic effects caused FA with different levels of unsaturation to have different reactivities. These results were used to derive a model that predicts the epoxidation kinetics of oils from their FA composition. The predictions of the model closely match the experimentally determined rate constants.     

Dietary sandalwood seed oil modifies fatty acid composition of mouse adipose tissue, brain, and liver

Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) seed oil, which occurs to about 50% of the weight of the seed kernels, contains 30–35% of total fatty acids (FA) as ximenynic acid (XMYA). This study was designed to obtain basic information on changes in tissue FA composition and on the metabolic fate of XMYA in mice fed a sandalwood seed oil (SWSO)-enriched diet. Female mice were randomly divided into three groups, each receiving different semisynthetic diets containing 5.2% (w/w) fat (standard laboratory diet), 15% canola oil, or 15% SWSO for 8 wk. The effects of SWSO as a dietary fat on the FA composition of adipose tissue, brain, and liver lipids were determined by analyses of FA methyl ester derivatives of extracted total lipid. The FA compositions of the liver and adipose tissue were markedly altered by the dietary fats, and mice fed on a SWSO-enriched diet were found to contain XMYA but only in low concentration (0.3 3%) in these tissues; XMYA was not detected in brain. Oleic acid was suggested to be a principal XMYA biotransformation product. The results were interpreted to suggest that the metabolism of XMYA may involve both biohydrogenation and oxidation reactions.     

FA composition of plasma,red blood cell,and liver phospholipids of newborn piglets fed trans isomers of alpha-linolenic acid

The effects of dietary cis and trans α-linolenic acid (18∶3n−3) on the FA composition of plasma, red blood cell, and liver phospholipids were studied in newborn piglets. Animals were fed for 14 d with one of three diets: a control diet (group A) containing cis 18∶3n−3 at a level of 2.0% of total FA, a diet (group B) in which a part of the 18∶3n−3 acid was isomerized (1.3% of cis 18∶3n−3 and 0.7% of trans 18∶3n−3), or a diet (group C) with 2.0% cis 18∶3n−3 and 0.7% trans 18∶3n−3. Feeding animals with diets containing trans 18∶3n−3 resulted in the presence of trans isomers of 18∶3n−3, trans isomers of EPA, and trans isomers of DHA in phospholipids; however, the level of total trans n−3 PUFA in tissues was less than 0.3% of total tissue FA. In group B, the reduction of dietary amounts of cis 18∶3n−3 was associated with a decrease in individual and total cis n−3 PUFA. In contrast, in group C there was no decrease in tissue n−3 PUFA despite the increased dietary level of trans 18∶3n−3. These results suggest that the isomerization of a part of dietary n−3 PUFA, leading to the reduction of their levels in the diet, could induce a decrease in n−3 PUFA in phospholipids. The physiological effects of trans PUFA are not known and should be considered in future studies.     

FA composition of cholesteryl esters and phospholipids in maternal plasma during pregnancy and at delivery and in cord plasma at birth

The purpose of this study was to assess the FA composition of both cholesteryl esters (CE) and phospholipids (PL) in maternal plasma during pregnancy and at delivery and in umbilical plasma at birth. A longitudinal study of 32 normal pregnant women was carried out with three cutoff points during pregnancy (first, second, and third trimester) and at delivery. Few significant differences occurred in the FA profile of maternal CE: 18∶1n−9 increased, 18∶2n−6 dropped slightly, and 18∶3n−3 decreased with progressing gestation. In maternal PL, long-chain highly unsaturated FA concentrations dropped and were replaced by saturated FA as gestation progressed. Additionally, changes in saturated FA in PL occurred: Shorter-chain 16∶0 was higher whereas longer-chain 18∶0 was lower at delivery compared to early pregnancy. The FA profile of umbilical venous plasma was strikingly different from that of maternal plasma at delivery. Cord plasma CE contained more saturated and monounsaturated FA than maternal CE. The polyunsaturates 18∶2n−6 and 18∶3n−3 are lower in umbilical CE than in maternal CE whereas 20∶4n−6 and 22∶6n−3 are twice as high in umbilical CE. Cord plasma PL have a higher content of long-chain highly unsaturated FA than maternal plasma PL at delivery. In contrast to maternal plasma PL, 16∶0 was lower and longer-chain saturated FA were higher in cord plasma PL. The FA profile of umbilical plasma at birth shows preferential accumulation of 20∶4n−6 and 22∶6n−3, with low concentrations of 18∶2n−6 and 18∶3n−3 in CE and PL, indicating a preferential supply of the fetus with long-chain highly unsaturated FA needed for fetal development.     

Analysis of regiospecific distribution of FA of TAG using the lipase-catalyzed ester-exchange

A very simple and versatile GC method has been developed that can be utilized for quick analysis, in many samples, of the FA compositions at the sn-2- and sn-1,3-positions of TAG. By using the lipase-catalyzed, sn-1,3-regioselective esterexchange reaction of TAG with ethyl acetate, followed by direct injection of the crude reaction mixture into the GC apparatus without any pretreatment, the FA located at the sn-2-position could accurately be analyzed as a TAG derivative in which the sn-1,3-positions were substituted by an acetate residue. Furthermore, the FA located at the sn-1,3-positions could simultaneously be analyzed as the corresponding ethyl ester derivatives using this method. The reliability of the analytical method was compared with conventional methods by analyzing the TAG consisting of caprylic acid (C) at the sn-2-position and oleic acid (O) at the sn-1,3-positions, giving comparable analytical results. The present method was applied to the analysis of the structured lipids CCD and CCE, consisting of TAG as a major component in which C and the highly unsaturated FA, DHA (D) or EPA (E), were specifically bound at the sn-2- and the sn-1,3-positions, respectively.     

Incorporation ofcis-octadecenoic acids into the rat liver mitochondrial membrane phospholipids and adipose tissue triglycerides

The incorporation of the dietarycis 18∶1 (n−12) andcis 18∶1 (n−10) into liver mitochondrial membrane phospholipids and adipose tissue trigly cerides was studied in 4 groups of rats fed diets containing 10 weight percent (wt%) of fat with the following contents of octadecenoic acids: 50%cis 18∶1(n−12) +9%cis 18∶1 (n−9); 25%cis 18∶1 (n−12)+32%cis 18∶1 (n−9); 50%cis 18∶1 (n−10)+10%cis 18∶1 (n−9); or 54%cis 18∶1 (n−9). Dietary linoleic acid was 3 wt% in all 4 groups. In the mitochondrial membranes, the isomeric octadecenoic acids were primarily incorporated into the 1-position of phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines at the expense of saturated fatty acids. The maximal incorporations observed in the 1-position of phosphatidylethanolamines were 4.8% 18∶1 (n−12) and 8.9% 18∶1 (n−10). No effects on the contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the phospholipids were seen. In the adipose tissue, the isomeric octadecenoic acids were incorporated at a level of 13%cis 18∶1 (n−12) or 23%cis 18∶1 (n−10), paralleled by a reduction in the content of oleic acid. Presented in part at the 9th Scandinavian Symposium on Lipids, Visby, Sweden, June 1977.     

Positional distribution of FA in TAG of enzymatically modified borage and evening primrose oils

Stereospecific analysis was carried out to establish positional distribution of FA in the TAG of DHA, EPA, and (EPA+DHA)-enriched oils. In this study, TAG of enzymatically modified oils were purified using a silicic acid column. The TAG were then subjected to positional distribution analysis using a modified procedure involving reductive cleavage with Grignard reagent. The results showed that in DHA-enriched borage oil (BO), DHA was randomly distributed over the three positions of TAG, whereas γ-linolenic acid (GLA) was mainly esterified at the sn-2 and-3 positions. In DHA-enriched evening primrose oil (EPO), however, DHA and GLA were concentrated in the sn-2 position. In EPA-enriched BO, EPA was randomly distributed over the three positions of TAG, similar to that observed for DHA. In EPA-enriched EPO, however, this FA was mainly located at the primary positions (sn-1 and sn-3) of TAG. In both oils, GLA was preferentially esterified at the sn-2 position. In (EPA+DHA)-enriched BO, EPA and DHA were mainly esterified at the sn-1 and -3 positions of TAG, whereas GLA was mainly located at the sn-2 position. In (EPA+DHA)-enriched EPO, GLA was mainly located at the sn-2 and-3 positions; EPA was preferentially esterified at the sn-1 and-3 positions, and DHA was found mainly at the sn-3 position.     

Fatty acids of adipose tissue,plasma, muscle and duodenal ingesta of steers fed extruded soybeans

Effects of feeding a high-energy diet that contained extruded soybeans on fatty acid composition of lipids of adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and plasma were determined for 18 Angus steers. Steers weighing an average of 309 kg were fed either a control diet or a diet containing 14.3% extruded soybeans and 6% fat until they weighed 474 kg. A third group was fed the control diet for the first half of the experiment and the soybean-containing diet for the rest of the experiment. Samples of blood, muscle (M. trapezius) and subcutaneous adipose tissue were obtained at 309, 368 and 427 kg of body weight; steers were slaughtered at 474 kg body weight, and samples of subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissues,M. longissimus and blood were obtained. The lipids of subcutaneous adipose tissue taken at slaughter of all steers fed full-fat, extruded soybeans contained 24% more 18:2 and 18:3 than did those of steers fed the control diet. Extruded soybeans also caused an increase in 18:3 but only a slight increase in 18:2 in perirenal adipose tissue. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids of lipids inM. trapezius increased slightly with dietary soybeans, whereas that ofM. longissimus was not affected. Lipids of blood plasma of soybean-fed steers contained a greater proportion of 18:2 and 18:3 and concomitantly less 14:0, 15:0, 16:1 and 17:0. Results indicate that feeding steers enough extruded soybeans to raise the fat content of the diet to 6% increases the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids of tissue lipids of cattle, and that this altered composition results from an increased amount of these fatty acids being available for absorption by the small intestine.     

Lipid metabolism in plasma,liver, and adipose tissue of rats with experimental chronic nephrotic syndrome

Plasma, liver, and adipose tissue lipid composition and synthesis from [1-¹⁴C] acetate were studied three months following induction of nephrotic syndrome in rats by injection of antiglomerular basement membrane protein. Plasma triglyceride concentrations and specific radioactivities were elevated, and the triglycerides contained increased proportions of oleic acid. Plasma cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations were also increased, but free fatty acid levels were not. Liver triglyceride concentrations were decreased and incorporation of [1-¹⁴] acetate into liver triglycerides was also depressed below that of normal controls. Nephrotic rat liver triglycerides contained a higher proportion of oleic acid and lower arachidonic acid than did controls. Incorporation of [1-¹⁴C] acetate into adipose tissue lipids of the nephrotic rats was increased, and the proportion of palmitic acid was decreased. In the chronic nephrotic rat, the major source of the increased plasma triglycerides may be fatty acids mobilized from adipose tissue stores.     

Effect of FA chain length on normal- and reversed-phase HPLC of phospholipids

Forty-seven saturated synthetic diacyl PA, PC, PE, PG, and PS and five unsaturated diacyl phospholipids (PL) underwent normal- and reversed-phase (RP) HPLC with isocratic isopropanol/hexane/water (5∶4∶1) and methanol/chloroform/acetonitrile/water (79.5∶9∶8∶3.5) mobile phases, respectively. For normal-phase HPLC, capacity factors (k′ _i ) decrease with chain length (n) of the two identical PL FA residues, whereas the opposite occurs with RP (C₁₈)-HPLC. Plots of In k′ _i vs. n for individual PL classes are in general curved, violating the linear free-energy relationship. For PL of the same n but with different head groups, k′ _i with normal-phase HPLC varies as PE<PG<PA<PS<PC, except when n≥16, when the order is PE<PS≈PA≈PG<PC. For RP-HPLC, the order of k′ _i values is PG<_A≈PS≤PC≈PE until n≥16, when it is PA≈PG<PS≪PC≈PE. With normal-phase HPLC, k′ _i values of PL with unsaturated FA of n=18 are ordered as PE<PA<PC. Increasing degrees of unsaturation lead to increasing k′ _i .     

Base-catalyzed derivatization methodology for FA analysis. Application to milk fat and celery seed lipid TAG

In this paper, an alternative base-catalyzed methodology for the facile derivatization in mild conditions of lipid TAG prior to FA analysis is proposed. Reagents were prepared by proton exchange between potassium tert-butoxide and either ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, or 2-methoxyethanol and used for the synthesis, at 40°C for 15 min, of the corresponding derivatives, which were directly analyzed by GC. This methodology can be used on a routine basis and has been applied to standard and complex natural lipid samples. Tripalmitin was used to determine optimal reaction conditions; and bovine milk fat, containing C₄ to C₂₂ acids, and celery (Apium graveolens) seed oil, characterized by a high level of petroselinic acid, were comparatively analyzed as their ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, and 2-methoxyethyl esters.     

Lipids and FA analysis of canine prostate tissue

It is widely reported that an association exists between dietary fat intake and the incidence of prostate cancer in humans. To study this association, there is a need for an animal model where prostate carcinogenesis occurs spontaneously. The canine prostate is considered a suitable experimental model for prostate cancer in humans since it is morphologically similar to the human prostate and both humans and dogs have a predisposition to benign and malignant prostate disease. In this study, the FA and lipids profiles of the normal canine prostate tissue from nine dogs were examined. The total lipid content of the canine prostate tissue was 1.7±0.5% (wet weight). The lipid composition analysis using TLC-FID showed that the two major lipid classes were phospholipids and TAG. Total FA, phospholipid, and TAG FA analysis showed that the major FA were palmitic acid (16∶0), stearic acid (18∶0), oleic acid (18∶1), linoleic acid (18∶2n−6), and arachidonic acid (20∶4n−6), The n−3 FA were present at <3% of total FA and included α-linolenic acid (18∶3n−3) (in total and TAG tissue FA), EPA (20∶5n−3) (not in TAG), and DHA (22∶6n−3) (not in TAG). The n−3/n−6 ratio was 1∶11, 1∶13, and 1∶8 in total, phospholipid, and TAG FA, respectively. This study shows the canine prostate has a low level of n−3 FA and a low n−3/n−6 ratio. This is perhaps due to low n−3 content of the diet of the dogs. FA analysis of dogfoods available in Australia showed that the n−3 content in both supermarket and premium bran dogfoods was <3% (wet weight), and the n−3/n−6 ratio was low.     

Distribution of medium-chain FA in different lipid classes after administration of specific structured TAG in rats

Structured TAG (STAG) containing medium-chain FA (MCFA) in the sn-1,3 positions and essential FA in the sn-2 position were synthesized by lipase-catalyzed acidolysis. In our previous studies we found that part of the MCFA from STAG could be absorbed in the small intestine; however, it was unclear how they were absorbed. In order to get a better understanding of the metabolism of STAG to improve future design and application of STAG, in the present study lymph lipids collected after feeding STAG were fractionated into different classes and the FA composition of each lipid class was studied by GC after methylation to FAME. Caprylic acid was detected in the fraction of TAG only after administration of 1,3-dioctanoyl-2-linoleyl-sn-glycerol (8∶0/18∶2/8∶0), whereas lauric acid was detected in TAG, DAG, and FFA as well as phospholipids after administration of 1,3-didodecanoyl-2-linoleyl-sn-glycerol (12∶0/18∶2/12∶0). We conclude that the enterocyte has the ability to reacylate the MCFA into TAG and that the intestinal absorption of MCFA from STAG mainly occurs by resynthesis of TAG. Caprylic acid from STAG is not incorporated into phospholipids, whereas lauric acid from STAG can be incorporated into phospholipids.     

Identification of TAG and DAG and their FA Constituents in Lesquerella (Physaria fendleri) Oil by HPLC and MS

Castor oil has many industrial uses because of its high content (90 %) of the hydroxy fatty acid, ricinoleic acid (OH¹²18:1⁹). Lesquerella oil containing lesquerolic acid (Ls, OH¹⁴20:1¹¹) is potentially useful in industry. Ten molecular species of diacylglycerols and 74 molecular species of triacylglycerols in lesquerella (Physaria fendleri) oil were identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry as lithium adducts of acylglycerols in the HPLC fractions of lesquerella oil. Among them were: LsLsO, LsLsLn, LsLsL, LsLn–OH20:2, LsO–OH20:2 and LsL–OH20:2. The structures of the four new hydroxy fatty acid constituents of acylglycerols were proposed by the MS of the lithium adducts of fatty acids as (comparing to those in castor oil): OH¹²18:2^9,14 (OH¹²18:2^9,13 in castor oil), OH¹²18:3^9,14,16 (OH18:3 not detected in castor oil), diOH^12,1318:2^9,14 (diOH^11,1218:2^9,13 in castor oil) and diOH^13,1420:1¹¹ (diOH20:1 not detected in castor oil, diOH^11,1218:1⁹ in castor oil). Trihydroxy fatty acids were not detected in lesquerella oil. The differences in the structures of these C18 hydroxy fatty acids between lesquerella and castor oils indicated that the polyhydroxy fatty acids were biosynthesized and were not the result of autoxidation products.     

Slow exchange of erythrocyte and plasma phospholipids

³²P-Orthophosphate was injected intravenously into a pig, and the specific activities of serum phospholipids and phosphatidylcholine, serum and urine inorganic phosphorus, and erythrocyte phospholipids were followed for the next eight days. The specific activities of serum phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine, and inorganic phosphorus declined monoexponentially and were not significantly different from each other after the first day. These data imply that there are no large poorly labeled pools of inorganic phosphorus or phospholipids supplying serum phospholipid. Phospholipid metabolism is sufficiently rapid to obscure any immediate precursor product relationship. The specific activity of erthrocyte phospholipid rose slowly to a maximum on ca. the fourth day. The data were consistent with a precursor product relationship between serum phospholipids and part of the erythrocyte phospholipids.     

Dietary long-chain PUFA in the form of TAG or phospholipids influence lymph lipoprotein size and composition in piglets

Several sources of long-chain PUFA (LCP) are currently available for infant formula supplementation. These oils differ in their FA composition, the chemical form of the FA esters [TAG or phospholipids (PL)], and presence of other lipid components. These differences may affect LCP absorption, distribution, and metabolic fate after ingestion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of different chemical forms of dietary LCP on the composition of lymph lipoproteins. Eighteen pigs (5 d old) were bottle-fed different diets for 2 wk: a control diet (C), a diet containing LCP as TAG from tuna and fungal oils (TF-TAG), or a diet containing LCP as PL from egg yolk (E-PL). We measured lipid and FA composition of lymph, main lymph fractions (TAG or PL), and the particle size of lymph lipoproteins. The average diameter of lymph lipoproteins was significantly lower in the E-PL group compared with the control and TF-TAG groups (C: 3902 +/- 384 A; TF-TAG: 3773 +/- 384 A; E-PL: 2370 +/- 185 A). Arachidonic acid and DHA contents in lymph and lymph-TAG were significantly higher in the TF-TAG group compared to the E-PL group (0.50 +/- 0.03 and 0.24 +/- 0.03 g/100 g vs. 0.29 +/- 0.04 and 0.12 +/- 0.03 g/100 g, respectively). The addition to the diet of LCP in the form of TAG or PL affected the size of intestinal lipoproteins and also led to a different distribution of these FA in lymph lipoproteins.     

Fatty acid profiles and relative mobilization during fasting in adipose tissue depots of the American marten (Martes americana)

The American marten (Martes americana) is a boreal forest marten with low body adiposity but high metabolic rate. The study describes the FA composition in white adipose tissue depots of the species and the influence of food deprivation on them. American marten (n=8) were fasted for 2 d with 7 control animals. Fasting resulted in a 13.4% weight loss, while the relative fat mass was >25% lower in the fasted animals. The FA composition of the fat depots of the trunk was quite similar to other previously studied mustelids with 14∶0, 16∶0, 18∶0, 16∶1n−7, 18∶1n−9, and 18∶2n−6 as the most abundant FA. In the extremities, there were higher proportions of monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and PUFA. Food deprivation decreased the proportions of 16∶0 and 16∶1n−7, while the proportion of long-chain MUFA increased in the trunk. The mobilization of FA was selective, as 16∶1n−7, 18∶1n−9, and particular n−3 PUFA were preferentially mobilized. Relative mobilization correlated negatively with the carbon chain length in saturated FA (SFA) and n−9 MUFA. The Δ9 desaturation of SFA enhanced the mobilization of the corresponding MUFA, but the positional isomerism of the first double bond did not correlate consistently with relative mobilization in MUFA or PUFA. In the marten, the FA composition of the extremities was highly resistant to fasting, and the tail tip and the paws contained more long-chain PUFA to prevent the solidification of lipids and to maintain cell membrane fluidity during cooling.     

Bioenergenetics of brown adipose tissue 1

Examination of the effect of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) in vivo on the brown adipose tissue of cold-exposed rats as well as the effect of DNP and dicumarol in vitro, indicates that brown fat does possess a functional electron transport-coupled phosphorylating system. Moreover, the fact that a norepinephrineinduced thermogenic response (in vivo) can be elicited from the brown fat after DNP administration implies that the effect of norepinephrine (NE) is not primarily due to stimulation of an adenosine triphosphatase system. Furthermore, since the magnitude of the NE-stimulated temperature increase is not diminished by prior treatment with DNP, it appears that the effect of NE is not achieved through any significant degree of uncoupling by the released fatty acids. Alternatively, our data suggest that under basal conditions (i.e., when the animal is not stimulated by cold stress or NE) the heat production (oxygen consumption) of the brown fat is limited by the availability of substrate rather than ADP. Conversely, it is proposed that under states of cold stress or NE infusion the thermogenic effect is induced through stimulation of lipolysis and consequent enhancement of substrate accessible for mitochondrial oxidation. One of nine papers to be published from the Symposium “Brown Adipose Tissue,” presented at the AOCS-AACC Joint Meeting, March 1968.     

Steroids in bovine muscle and adipose tissue

Thin layer and gas liquid chromatography, (GLC) were employed as complementary techniques to investigate naturally-occurring steroids in the unsaponifiable matter of bovine muscle and adipose tissue. Three GLC liquid phases, differing in selective partition properties, were used to effectively identify unknown steroids. The results indicate that cholesterol and minor amounts of desmosterol, Δ⁷-cholestenol, lanosterol, dihydrolanosterol, dehydromethostenol, Δ⁸-methostenol, Δ⁷-methostenol, cholestanol and possibly ergosterol were present in the bovine tissues. The minor steroids, with the exception of cholestanol and ergosterol, are steroid precursors in cholesterol biosynthesis. Common hormonal steroids were not found in the unsaponifiables of the tissues.     

Effect of dietary n-9 eicosatrienoic acid on the fatty acid composition of plasma lipid fractions and tissue phospholipids

n-9 Eicosatrienoic acid (ETrA), also known as Mead acid, is a minor fatty acid in essential fatty acid (EFA)-sufficient healthy subjects but is found at increased levels in EFA deficiency. This study examined the influence of dietary ETrA from a biological source on plasma and tissue ETrA. A synthetic fat-free diet was prepared to which was added Mut 48 oil which contains 19% ETrA (wt%) as well as other n-9 fatty acids. Blends of vegetable oils were used to achieve overall diets with 5% fat (wt%) and varying amounts of ETrA at two different dietary levels of linoleic acid (LA), approximately 4.4 and 19% of total fatty acids. These diets were fed to 5-week-old Dark Agouti rats for four weeks. Plasma lipid fractions and liver, spleen, and peritoneal exudate (PE) cells were analyzed for fatty acid composition. ETrA was present at up to 20% total fatty acids in plasma triglyceride, cholesterol ester, and phospholipid fractions. ETrA also accumulated to substantial levels in phospholipids of liver and spleen (up to 15% of total fatty acids) and PE cells (up to 11%). ETrA was found in plasma and tissue phospholipids in proportion to the amount of ETrA present in the diet. The incorporation was reduced in diets with higher LA content compared to diets containing similar amounts of ETrA but lower LA. All rats remained apparently healthy, and histological survey of major organs revealed no abnormality. While the long-term implications for health of ingestion of diets rich in ETrA remain to be established, rats appear to tolerate high levels of dietary ETrA without adverse effects. Dietary enrichment with ETrA warrants further investigation for possible beneficial effects in models of inflammation and autoimmunity, as well as in other conditions in which mediators derived from n-6 fatty acids can affect homeostasis adversely.