This study investigates the protective effect of
N-stearoylethanolamine (NSE), a bioactive
N-acylethanolamine , on the
lipid profile distribution in the pancreas of
obesity-induced
insulin resistant (IR) rats fed with prolonged high fat diet (58% of fat for 6 months). The
phospholipid composition was determined using 2D thin-layer chromatography. The level of individual
phospholipids was estimated by measuring inorganic
phosphorus content. The
fatty acid (FA) composition and
cholesterol level were investigated by gas-liquid chromatography. Compared to controls, plasma levels of
triglycerides and
insulin were significantly increased in IR rats. The pancreas
lipid composition indicated a significant reduction of the free
cholesterol level and some
phospholipids such as
phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho),
phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn),
phosphatidylinositol (
PtdIns),
phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) compared to controls. Moreover, the FA composition of pancreas showed a significant redistribution of the main FA (18:1n-9, 18:2n-6, 18:3n-6 and 20:4n-6) levels between
phospholipid, free FA,
triglyceride fractions under IR conditions that was accompanied by a change in the estimated activities of Δ9-, Δ6-, Δ5-desaturase. Administration of
N-stearoylethanolamine (NSE, 50 mg/kg daily per os for 2 weeks) IR rats triggered an increase in the content of free
cholesterol, PtdCho and normalization of PtdEtn, PtdSer level. Furthermore, the NSE modulated the activity of desaturases, thus influenced FA composition and restored the FA ratios in the
lipid fractions. These NSE-induced changes were associated with a normalization of plasma
triglyceride content, considerable decrease of
insulin and index HOMA-IR level in rats under IR conditions.