Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Modify Plasma Lipids and Red Blood Cell Membrane Composition but Do Not Induce ∆6 Desaturase Mediated Conversions in the Domestic Feline

Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Modify Plasma Lipids and Red Blood Cell Membrane Composition but Do Not Induce ∆6 Desaturase Mediated Conversions in the Domestic Feline. (May 2008) Melena Kathleen McClure, B.S., The University of Texas at Austin Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. John E. Bauer This study explored the effects of dietary unsaturated fatty acids on feline lipid metabolism. It was hypothesized that high dietary linoleic acid (18:2n-6, LA) would enhance conversion to arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), enrichment of dietary long chain n-3 FA (LCn-3FA) would affect lipid parameters, and n-3 FAs incorporation may blunt n-6 FA incorporation. Twenty-nine cats were randomized into groups (n = 9, 10, 10), and fed for 28 days with blood collections on days 0, 14, and 28. Experimental diets consisted of a commercial diet, supplemented with 8g oil/100g kibble. Oil supplements and subsequent diets were: high-oleic sunflower (H diet) with 82% oleic acid (18:1n-9), Menhaden fish (M diet) with LCn-3FA, and safflower (S diet) with 75% 18:2n-6. Dietary 20:4n-6 content was: 0.03 for H and S, and 0.09 for M (g FA/kg diet). Nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), lipoproteincholesterol (LP-C), plasma phospholipid (PL) FAs, red blood cell membrane (RBC) FAs, and ∆5 and ∆6 desaturase indices were measured. Statistical analyses were performed with SAS PROC MIXED with p < 0.05 determining significance. Neither TC