Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency and the Activity of the Sarcoplasmic Calcium Pump

Abstract

The fatty acid composition of the lipids of the sarcoplasmic membranes isolated from rats is changed when the animals are kept on a diet free of essential fatty acids. The fatty acids of the oleic acid family are increased and the fatty acids of the linoleic acid family are decreased. The calcium permeability of the modified membranes is reduced giving rise to a higher rate of calcium uptake, a reduction of the extra ATPase activity and a higher calcium concentrating ability.