Distribution of hexadecenoic, octadecenoic and octadecadienoic acid isomers in human tissue lipids.

The trans 16:1, 18:1 and 18:2 fatty acid composition of various human organ lipids was studied to determine if isomers accumulated in specific tissues. "Trans" isomers are defined as those fatty acids containing one or more trans double bonds. Adipose, kidney, brain, heart and liver tissue lipids were analyzed. Gas chromatography with a 100-SP2560 capillary column was used to characterize the various positional and/or geometrical isomers. The distribution of trans 16:1 and 18:1 isomers ranged from 0.3% in the brain to 4.0% in adipose tissue, while trans 18:2 isomers ranged from 0.0% in the brain to 0.4% in adipose tissue. No trans 18:3 isomers were detected. Positional isomer ratios for cis 16:1 (delta 9 vs delta 7) and cis 18:1 (delta 11 vs delta 9) were also determined. Since these ratios are reproducible from one individual to the next, they might be useful for diagnosis of human metabolic disorders.