Mitochondrial function in rats is affected by modification of membrane phospholipids with dietary sardine oil.

Phospholipids of heart and liver of rats fed a diet containing sardine oil had more omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and less omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids than those of rats fed corn oil, whereas there was little difference in the fatty acid composition of brain phospholipids. The mass of phospholipid classes in rat heart mitochondria was not changed, but their fatty acid compositions were altered. Modification of the fatty acid compositions of mitochondrial phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine reached a plateau after 10 d of feeding, but that of cardiolipin continued for 30 d. The O2 consumption rate of rat heart mitochondria decreased as the fatty acid composition of the phospholipids changed. This may be due to the reduction of the activity of cytochrome c oxidase, which requires cardiolipin for its activity. However, F1F0-ATPase, which also requires cardiolipin, was activated under the same conditions.