Effect of the conditions of analysis and obtaining of the sample on the level of free fatty acids in the brain of the rat
Jemaa, R.; Bralet, J.
Comptes Rendus des Seances de la Societe de Biologie et de ses Filiales 180(3): 296-301
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-9026 PMID: 2946373 Document Number: 277278
Free fatty acids (FFA) have been determined in the rat brain by gas-liquid chromatography after isolation by thin-layer chromatography on silica gel. The brains were removed under three experimental conditions, 1) after freezing in situ with liquid nitrogen, 2) after immersion of the animal in liquid nitrogen, 3) after decapitation, the brain being frozen 3 minutes later. The total FFA level was found to be equal respectively to 20.1, 33.1 and 168 micrograms/g. In any case, the main fatty acids were palmitic, stearic and oleic acid but there were marked increases in arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids following decapitation. A cause of error in the FFA determination originated in the use of commercial silica gel which contained significant amounts of fatty acids.