Punicic acid was metabolised and incorporated in the form of conjugated linoleic acid in different rat tissues

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a supplementation of pomegranate seed oil (PSO), being rich in punicic acid, on the biochemical parameters of healthy rats. PSO was given to the animals intragastrically for 40 days at concentrations of 1%, 2% and 4%. There were no changes in their total body weight gain, their serum biochemical markers, or in the oxidative stress in their tissues. However, the TBARS values were reduced in the brains of the animals, noting that no significant amounts of conjugated fatty acids were found in this tissue. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) was present in all the other tissues studied. The results obtained have demonstrated that punicic acid from PSO was metabolised and incorporated in the form of CLA in different rat tissues. It did not cause alterations in their lipid metabolism, nor did it participate in the processes of oxidation inhibition.

Keywords:

• Conjugated linolenic acid
• fatty acid profile
• oxidative status

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support from the Council of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq) and the São Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP). All of the authors contributed in the literature search, as well as in the analyses of the data published, the manuscript writing and the revisions of the article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the São Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP) which supported this research (Grants 2009/51890-0 and 2009/51891-7).