FATTY ACID ETHYL ESTER FORMATION BY PLASMA IN VITRO

Abstract

The capacity of rat plasma to form ethyl esters when incubated with ethanol and fatty acid was examined. The process was found to be enzymatic and to involve primarily a direct esterification of fatty acid as opposed to a transesterification requiring a fatty acyl donor. Maximal esterification of oleic acid occurred at pH 6.0 but significant activity existed at physiological pH to indicate a capacity of the plasma to utilize ethanol and fatty acid in concentrations that might be expected in vivo. Both normal and post-heparin plasma were found to esterify endogenous free fatty acid. A major factor affecting the esterification process was the availability of fatty acid substrate and the governing role of plasma albumin in this respect is discussed.