Changes in the fatty acid composition of immune cells and plasma by intravenous injection of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid in mice.

An injectable emulsion of 10% tridihomo-gamma-linolenoyl glycerol (DGLA-TG, 96% pure) was prepared. 0.5 ml of the emulsion was injected into tail veins of 6-week-old C3H/HeSlc mice. They were killed 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after the injection. The fatty acid composition of the phospholipid (PL) fraction of plasma, splenocytes and thymocytes was analysed along with that of control mice. DGLA concentrations increased markedly 1 h after the injection in the plasma (from 2.2% to 13.2%) and splenocyte (from 1.1% to 10.1%) PL fractions; they decreased rapidly thereafter. On the other hand, DGLA concentrations in the thymocyte PL fraction did not increase markedly. These data may be useful for planning animal experiments with DGLA emulsions, should these be developed as an experimental drug in the future.