Essential fatty acid metabolism in cardiomyocytes grown in media enriched with different N-6/N-3 fatty acid combinations.

We have evaluated the effects of three different 18:3n-6, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 fatty acid combinations on essential fatty acid (EFA) metabolism in rat cultured cardiomyocytes. The desaturating/elongating activities for linoleic (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) were evaluated by radiolabeling the cells with 1-[14C]LA or 1-[14C]ALA and the fatty acid pattern of cardiomyocytes was assessed by gas chromatography. LA and ALA conversion to more unsaturated metabolites was reduced by increasing respectively n-3 and n-6 fatty acid concentration in the media. The all three combinations used reduced the saturated and increased the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of cardiomyocytes. The n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio did not change compared to control cells in cardiomyocytes receiving the highest amount of 18:3n-6 and the lowest amounts of n-3 fatty acids. This combination may be suitable for modifying EFA desaturating/elongating activities without altering the physicochemical parameters which are related to the correct balance between n-6 and n-3 fatty acid content.