Dietary linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid differentially affect renal oxylipins and phospholipid fatty acids in diet-induced obese rats.

Analysis of oxylipins derived from fatty acids may provide insight into the biological effects of dietary lipids beyond their effects on tissue fatty acid profiles. We have previously observed that diets with higher amounts of α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n3) are associated with reduced obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG). Therefore, to examine the renal oxylipin profile, the effects of dietary linoleic acid (LA; 18:2n6) and ALA on oxylipins and renal phospholipid fatty acid composition, and the relationship between oxylipins and ORG, diet-induced obese rats displaying ORG were fed 8 different diets for 8 wk as follows (oil/oil = combination of two oils) [shown as ALA/LA (in g) per 100 g oil]: canola/flax (20/18), canola (8/18), soy (9/53), high-oleic canola/canola (5/16), high-oleic canola (2/15), lard/soy (1/8), and safflower (0.2/73). Targeted lipidomic analysis by HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry revealed that LA and ALA oxylipins comprised 60% of the total renal oxylipin profile examined. Of the >60 oxylipins screened, only those derived either directly or indirectly from ALA were associated with less glomerulomegaly, indicative of reduced ORG progression. Both the amount and ratio of dietary LA and ALA influenced renal polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); in contrast, only fatty acid amount altered oxylipins derived from these fatty acids, but there was no apparent competition by LA or ALA on their formation. Dietary LA incorporation into renal phospholipids was higher than for ALA, but ALA oxylipin:ALA ratios were higher than the analogous LA ratios for select lipoxygenase reactions. This indicates that the effect of dietary ALA on renal oxylipins exceeded what was reflected in renal PUFA composition. In conclusion, dietary LA and ALA have differential effects on renal oxylipins and PUFAs, and ALA-derived oxylipins are associated with renoprotection in this model of ORG.