The incorporation of 14C-labelled acetate into long chain fatty acids by macrophages in vitro

The incorporation of ¹⁴C-labelled acetate into fatty acids by macrophages in vitro was investigated by gas phase chromatography. 37.3% of the ¹⁴C-labelled acetate was incorporated into palmitic acid, 18.4% into oleic acid and smaller amounts into myristic, stearic and linoleic acid. The specific activity of myristic acid was high relative to palmitic acid, but that stearic and oleic acid similar to that of palmitic. Linoleic acid was only labelled at low specific activity. The inter-relationship of the synthesis of different fatty acids in the metabolism of macrophages is discussed.