Aging appears to decrease Δ6-desaturase activity in males, but in females it is uncertain.
Δ6- and Δ5-desaturase functions were investigated in pre- and post-menopausal women
who were normoglycemic or had type 2 diabetes (2 × 2 factorial, n = 37). Subjects
were compared for indicators of diabetic control, estrogen levels, fatty acid profiles
and indices of Δ6-and Δ5-desaturase activity. Diet intakes that were compared to determine
whether results were a function of dietary factors known to influence desaturase activity
revealed no differences (P > 0.05). Post-menopausal women with type 2 diabetes had
more 18:2 n6 in serum phospholipids (P < 0.05) than did the pre- and post-menopausal
control subjects. Fatty acid ratios of 18:3 n6/18:2 n6 indicated greater Δ6-desaturase
activity for women with type 2 diabetes, but differences were not found between pre-
and post-menopausal groups. Significant correlation (P < 0.05) indicates an association
between diabetic status and desaturase function, but function did not appear to be
affected by menopausal status. In contrast to reports using male subjects, we found
no evidence that desaturase function decreased in aging females, as reported for males,
or increased as hypothesized in this study.
Key words
Δ6-Desaturase - Δ5-Desaturase - Aging - Type 2 Diabetes - Insulin - Estrogen
