Garg M L, Keelan M, Thomson A B, Clandinin M T
Department of Foods and Nutrition, Faculty of Home Economics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 1988 Jan 19;958(1):139-41. doi: 10.1016/0005-2760(88)90256-1.
Information as to the ability of the enterocyte to desaturate fatty acids is lacking. This is important in understanding whether the source of intestinal arachidonic (20:4(n-6) acid is biliary or from de novo synthesis. Delta 9- and delta 6-desaturase enzymes were assayed in homogenates of rat jejunum, ileum and liver. Rat small intestine possesses desaturase activity to convert palmitic (16:0) to palmitoleic (16:1) and linoleic (18:2(n-6) to linolenic (18:3(n-6) acid. Enzyme activities were highest in liver relative to activity in jejunal and ileal homogenates. It is concluded that delta 9- and delta 6-desaturase activities may have an important role in determining physico-chemical properties and thus transport properties of enterocyte membranes.
