ARS | Publication request: ETHANOL CONSUMPTION ALTERS ELECTRORETINOGRAMS AND DEPLETES NEURAL TISSUES OF DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID IN RHESUS MONKEYS: NUTRITIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF A LOW N-3 FATTY ACID DIET

Submitted to: Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: May 1, 2001
Publication Date: June 8, 2001
Citation: Pawlosky, R.J., Bacher, J., Salem, Jr, N. 2001. Ethanol consumption alters electroretinograms and depletes neural tissues of docosahexaenoic acid in rhesus monkeys: nutritional consequences of a low n-3 fatty acid diet. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental. 25(12):1758-1765.

Interpretive Summary: Certain fatty acids are known as conjugated linoleic acids. They occur naturally in dairy products and appear to have important health benefits. A chemical analysis method using mass spectrometry was applied to identify two isomers of conjugated linoleic acids. The location of the double bonds for the 12 trans, 14 trans-18:2 and the 7 trans, 9 trans- 18:2 were determined using the mass spectrometric fragmentation pattern. This information adds to the existing knowledge on these fatty acids in foods and will help nutritionist better understand the role of dairy products in maintaining bodily health.

Technical Abstract: Unusual isomers of conjugated linoleic acid were separated by HPLC and resolved on capillary gas chromatography columns. The individual fatty acids were analyzed by mass spectrometry for identification using th 4,4- dimethyloxazoine derivatives. The location of the double bonds for the 12 trans, 14 trans-18:2 and the 7 trans, 9 trans-18:2 were determined using the mass spectrometric fragmentation pattern.