Fatty Acids Profile in Phospholipids of The Erythrocyte Membranes in Swimming Rats

Alterations in membrane lipid composition, particularly fatty acids content is known to result in functional and structural changes. Dietary lipids and physical activity or stress play an important role in this change. It was of interest to study the influence of swimming in different temperatures on the content of fatty acids in the phospholipids of the erythrocyte membranes of rats. Our research demonstrated a significant influence of swimming on the content of fatty acids in the phospholipids of the erythrocyte membranes of rats. These changes of fatty acids, particularly the decrease of arachidonic acid and significant increase of saturated fatty acids in the phospholipids of the erythrocyte membranes in swimming rats may be induced by oxygen radicals generated in different kinds of stress.