Effect of arachidonic acid in the alloxan-diabetic rat

Abstract

Rat liver microsomes desaturate linoleic acid-l-l4c into gamma-linolenic acid-l-14C. This reaction is decreased in the alloxan-diabetic rat as well as the starved rat. Insulin injection or refeeding correct this defect but actinomycin D prevents this correction. Insulin or glucose therefore induces the synthesis of linoleic acid desaturase. Accordingly, in the alloxan-diabetic rat, the fatty acid-desaturating activity and the synthesis of arachidonic acid are decreased. Arachidonic acid, but not linoleic acid administration to diabetic rats prevents the atrophy of their testes and seminal vesicles. The decrease in the fatty acid desaturating activity found in diabetes may therefore be the principal factor that evokes this atrophy.