Effects of cyclopropenoid fatty acids (Baobab seed oil) on the fatty acid profile of lipids from different tissues in the rat

Rats were fed for 8 weeks a diet containing either Baobab seed oil (FBO) rich in cyclopropenoid fatty acids (CPFA) or heated oil (HBO) devoid of CPFA. In FBO rats, compared to controls (CO), the monounsaturated fatty acid content of adipose tissue lipids, liver triacylglycerols, liver and adrenal cholesteryl esters and liver, kidney, adrenal phospholipids were highly decreased to the benefit of saturated fatty acid content. in cholesteryl esters and phospholipids, the arachidonic acid (20:4 n-6) content was markedly decreased, especially in adrenals. In adrenal cholesteryl esters, adrenic acid (22:4 n-6) content war decreased more than its precursor. The effects of HBO on the tissue lipid fatty acid profile were practically absent. It is concluded that inhibition of fatty acid desaturation by CPFA previously demonstrated in vitro, was reflected in vivo in tissue lipid fatty acid composition.