Second generation rats depleted in long-chain polyunsaturated ω3 fatty acids are currently used as an animal model for the insufficient dietary supply of such fatty acids often prevailing in Western populations. The present study deals mainly with the effects of a novel medium-chain triglyceride: fish oil emulsion (MCT:FO), as compared to a control medium-chain triglyceride:olive oil emulsion (MCT: OO), administered as an intravenous bolus to the ω3-depleted rats 60-120 min before sacrifice upon selected biochemical and biophysical variables. The major findings consisted of a severe decrease of the ω3 fatty acid content of liver lipids in non-injected ω3-depleted rats and its partial correction after injection of the MCT:FO emulsion. The ω3-depleted rats also displayed liver steatosis, increased incorporation of long-chain polyunsaturated ω6 fatty acids in liver phospholipids and increased activity of liver Δ9-desaturase. As judged from the effects of ouabain upon 86Rb net uptake by isolated pancreatic islets, the activity of Na+,K+-ATPase was virtually abolished in the ω3-depleted rats. The latter defect was corrected by prior intravenous injection of the MCT:FO emulsion, this coinciding with suppression of the excessive secretory response to a number of insulin secretagogues otherwise observed in the islets of ω3-depleted rats injected or not with the MCT:OO emulsion.

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