Interaction f Sesamin and Eicosapentaenoic Ratio of Essential Fatty Acids in Rat Acid against A 5 Desaturation and n - 61 n - 3 Rumi UMEDA -

acid (EPA, 20 :5, n-3). In this study, we inyestigated the interaction of sesamin and EPA on A5 desaturation of both series and the n-61n-3 fatty acids ratio by measuring actural fatty acid contents in vivo. Rats vvere fed three types of dietary oils; 1) lino]eic a id (LA, 18:2, n-6); linolenic a id (LLA, 18:3, n-3)= 3:1, n-61n-3 ratio of 3:1 (LA group), 2) LA:LLA =1:3, n-6fn-3 ratio of 1:3 (LLA group), 3) LA : LLA : EPA= 1 : O.5 : 3, n-61n-3 ratio of 1 :3.5 (EPA group) with or without sesamin (O.5% wlw) for 4 weeks. In all groups, sesamin administration increased the content of dihomo-7-linolenic acid (20 : 3, n-6) in the liver and decreased the A5 desaturation i dex of n-6 fatty acid, the ratio of 20 : 4f20 : 3 (n-6). On the contrary, the A5 desaturation index of n-3 fatty acid, the ratio of 20:5+22:5+22 :6t20:4 (n-3), was