Synthesis and distribution of rat Sertoli cell proteoglycans are modulated by linoleate and vitamin E.

In rat Sertoli cells, linoleate addition modified cell membrane fatty acid composition and changes depended on linoleate concentrations. In presence of the lowest 18:2 n-6 concentrations (2.5 and 7.5 microM), decrease in proteoglycan synthesis paralleled increase in n-6 linoleate-derived metabolites. At high concentration (21 microM), linoleate accumulated in membranes and level of n-6 linoleate-derived metabolites returned to basal value, without change in proteoglycan synthesis. Linoleate modified proteoglycan distribution in Sertoli cells by an increase in peripheral proteoglycans and a concomitant decrease in medium proteoglycans. Vitamin E (100 microM) did not alter fatty acid composition in control and linoleate-treated cells, but enhanced proteoglycan production. Furthermore, this agent counteracted linoleate-induced modifications in proteoglycan cell distribution.