Fatty acid metabolism in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) hepatocytes and influence of dietary vegetable oil

Citation

Stubhaug I, Tocher DR, Bell JG, Dick JR & Torstensen BE (2005) Fatty acid metabolism in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) hepatocytes and influence of dietary vegetable oil. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, 1734 (3), pp. 277-288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbalip.2005.04.003

Abstract
Isolated hepatocytes from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), fed diets containing either 100% fish oil or a vegetable oil blend replacing 75% of the fish oil, were incubated with a range of seven 14C-labelled fatty acids. The fatty acids were; [1-14C]16:0, [1-14C]18:1n-9, [1-14C]18:2n-6, [1-14C]18:3n-3, [1-14C]20:4n-6, [1-14C]20:5n-3, and [1-14C]22:6n-3. After 2 hours of incubation the hepatocytes and medium were analyzed for acid soluble products, incorporation into lipid classes, and hepatocytes for desaturation and elongation. Uptake into hepatocytes was highest with [1-14C]18:2n-6 and [1-14C]20:5n-3 and lowest with [1-14C]16:0. The highest recovery of radioactivity in the cells was found in triacylglycerols. Of the phospholipids the highest recovery was found in phosphatidylcholine, with [1-14C]16:0 and [1-14C]22:6n-3 being the most prominent fatty acids. The rates of β-oxidation were as follows: 20:4n-6 > 18:2n-6 = 16:0 > 18:1n-9 > 22:6n-3 = 18:3n-3 = 20:5n-3. Of the fatty acids taken up by the hepatocytes, [1-14C]16:0 and [1-14C]18:1n-9 were subsequently exported the most, with the majority of radioactivity recovered in phospholipids and triacylglycerols, respectively. The major products from desaturation and elongation were generally one cycle of elongation of the fatty acids. Diet had a clear effect on the overall lipid metabolism, with replacing 75% of the fish oil with vegetable oil resulting in decreased uptake of all fatty acids and reduced incorporation of fatty acids into cellular lipids, but increased β-oxidation activity, and higher recovery in products of desaturation and elongation of [1-14C]18:2n-6 and [1-14C]18:3n-3.

Keywords
Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar; fish oil; vegetable oil; Hepatocytes; Lipid metabolism; Fatty acid metabolism; Fatty acids Metabolism; Atlantic salmon; Fishes Food; Vegetable oils

Journal
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids: Volume 1734, Issue 3

People

Professor Gordon Bell

Emeritus Professor, Institute of Aquaculture

Mr James Dick

Technical Manager