[Implications of the incorporation of transisomers of unsaturated fatty acids into cell membranes].

The incorporation of dietary trans fatty acids is shown into intestinal brush border and heart mitochondrial membranes obtained from rats fed with either partially hydrogenated soybean oil or with a synthetic triglyceride containing elaidic or linelaidic acid. The distribution of dietary linelaidate in the major phospholipid classes from inner membranes of mitochondria is determined. Heart mitochondria from normal rats and linelaidic acid fed rats are compared with respect to their swelling rate and their oxidative phosphorylation. The influence of dietary linelaidate on the activity of some brush border-associated enzymes is also studied. On the basis of the authors' observations and those made by others with microorganism cels or models of biological membranes (liposomes and monomolecular films), the possible implications of trans fatty acids incorporation on membrane functions are reviewed.