The modification of lipid composition in L-M cultured cells supplemented with elaidate. Increased formation of fatty alcohols.

Supplementation of culture medium with elaidic acid (40 micrograms/ml) resulted in the incorporation of this acid into 50% of the acyl groups of phospholipids in L-M cells; elaidate was esterified at both the sn-1 and the sn-2 positions of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. In addition, elaidate supplementation of L-M cells induces the accumulation of free fatty alcohols, alkyldiacylglycerols and wax esters/cholesterol esters. The concentration of intracellular free fatty alcohols increased as a function of the concentration of elaidic acid in the growth medium and the duration of exposure. However, the concentration of alcohol-containing lipids, total alkyl and alk-1-enyl lipids, was only slightly decreased. This decrease was much less than the increase in the level of free fatty alcohols. Therefore, we conclude that when elaidic acid is supplemented to L-M cells in culture, a net increase in the production of free fatty alcohols occurs.