Effect of Various C16 Fatty Acids, Isopentadecanoic and Isomargaric Acids, on Stabilization of Rat Erythrocytes and Carrageenin-induced Edema

Several fatty acids, including 2-hexyldecanoic acid, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, and iso-C17 : 0 as branched series and various types of C16 fatty acids, were examined for protection of erythrocytes from heat-induced or hypotonic hemolysis, of heat-induced denaturation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in vitro, and for inhibition of carrageenin-induced edema in hind paw of a rat in vivo. All of fatty acids tested were found to have a protective effect on heat-induced hemolysis of rat erythrocytes and heat-induced denaturation of BSA. Inhibitory effect on hypotonic hemolysis was recognized in all fatty acids except 2-hexyldecanoic acid, and iso-series especially showed greater activity. In regard to carrageenin-induced paw edema, only iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 exhibited inhibitory an effect, and other fatty acids had no effect.