Original Research ArticlePomegranate seed oil influences the fatty acids profile and reduces the activity of desaturases in livers of Sprague-Dawley rats

•Diet supplementation with pomegranate seed oil leads to the increase of cis-9, trans-11 CLA content in livers of rats.•Pomegranate seed oil significantly decreases the activity of Δ5-desaturase and Δ6-desaturase in hepatic microsomes.•Pomegranate seed oil reduces activity of Δ5-desaturase and Δ6-desaturase in more potent way than CLA.•Pomegranate seed oil as a natural source of punicic acid (one of CLnA isomers) can become interesting alternative for CLA dietary supplements.

The aim of our study was to compare the influence of diet supplementation with pomegranate seed oil - as conjugated linolenic acids (CLnA) source, or conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and to examine the mechanism of their activity. The content of fatty acids, levels of biomarkers of lipids' oxidation and the activity of key enzymes catalyzing lipids metabolism were measured. Obtained results revealed that conjugated fatty acids significantly decrease the activity of Δ5-desaturase (p = 0.0001) and Δ6-desaturase (p = 0.0008) and pomegranate seed oil reduces their activity in the most potent way. We confirmed that diet supplementation with pomegranate seed oil - a rich source of punicic acid leads to the increase of cis-9, trans-11 CLA content in livers (p = 0.0003). Lack of side effects and beneficial influence on desaturases activity and fatty acids profile claim pomegranate seed oil to become interesting alternative for CLA as functional food.