Age-related changes in delta 6 and delta 5 desaturase activities in rat liver microsomes.

Age-related changes in Δ6 desaturation of [1-14C]α-linolenic acid and [1-14C]linoleic acid and in Δ5 desaturation of [2-14C]dihomo-γ-linolenic acid were studied in liver microsomes from Wistar male rats at various ages ranging from 1.5 to 24 mon. Desaturase activities were expressed both as specific activity of liver microsomes and as the capacity of whole liver to desaturate by taking into account the total amount of liver microsomal protein. Δ6 Desaturation of α-linolenic acid increased from 1.5 to 3 mon and then decreased linearly up to 24 mon to reach the same desaturation capacity of liver measured at 1.5 mon. The capacity of liver to desaturate linoleic acid increased up to 6 mon and …