The concentrations of free fatty acids, triglycerides and phospholipids in submandibular salivary glands of rats in essential fatty acid deficiency.

EFA deficiency was created in young weanling rats by feeding for 16 weeks purified diets containing 0% fat or 7% hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO). Control rats were fed similar diets which contained 7% corn oil or 5% HCO + 2% corn oil. Submandibular salivary gland (SMSG) lipids were extracted and analyzed for the concentration of the free fatty acids (FFA), triglycerides (TG), total lipid P and the proportions of various phospholipids. In EFA-deficient SMSG, the concentrations of FFA and TG fractions were lower compared to those of the controls. Total lipid P was either unaffected or slightly increased; the proportion of phospholipids was not changed. Possible reasons for these changes in SMSG lipids are discussed.