Preferential incorporation oftrans,trans-conjugated linoleic acid isomers into the liver of suckling rats

The present study was designed to compare the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomeric distribution pattern in the liver of suckling rats in relation to those in the milk and maternal diet. Silver-ion HPLC was used to separate individual CLA isomers. It was found that the isomeric distribution pattern in the milk was very similar to that in the maternal dietary fat. However, the CLA isomeric distribution patterns in the liver phospholipids (PL) and triacylglycerols were different from those in the diet and milk. In the liver PL, totalcis/transisomers accounted for 63·6–63·9 % of total CLA, which was in contrast to the values of 88·1–89·1 % in the milk and diet. In the liver PL, totaltrans/transisomers were 20·6–20·8 % of the total CLA isomers whereas they were only 2·6–3·7 % in the milk and diet. It is concluded thattrans/trans-CLA were preferentially incorporated into the liver whereas for the incorporation ofcis/trans-CLA there was partial discrimination.