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An adequate pancreatic structure is necessary for optimal organ function. Structural changes are critical in the development of age-related pancreatic disorders. In this context, it has been reported that different pancreatic compartments from rats were affected according to the fat composition consumed. Since there is a close relationship between mitochondria, oxidative stress and aging, an experimental approach has been developed to gain more insight into this process in the pancreas. A low dosage of coenzyme Q was administered life-long in rats in order to try to prevent pancreatic aging-related alterations associated to some dietary fat sources. According to that, three groups of rats were fed normocaloric diets containing Coenzyme Q (CoQ) for two years, where virgin olive, sunflower, or fish oil was included as unique fat source. Pancreatic samples for microscopy and blood samples were collected at the moment of euthanasia. The main finding is that CoQ supplementation gives different results according to fat used in diet. When sunflower oil was the main fat in the diet, CoQ supplementation seems to improve endocrine pancreas structure and in particular β-cell mass resembling positive effects of virgin olive oil. Conversely, CoQ intake does not seem to improve the structural alterations of exocrine compartment previously observed in fish oil fed rats. Therefore CoQ may improve pancreatic alterations associated to the chronic intake of some dietary fat sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An adequate pancreatic structure is necessary for optimal organ function. Structural changes are critical in the development of age-related pancreatic disorders. We aimed to study the effect of oil consumption on pancreas histology in order to find aging-related signs. To this end, three groups of rats were fed an isocaloric diet for 2 years, where virgin olive, sunflower, or fish oil was included. Pancreatic samples for microscopy and blood samples were collected at the moment of sacrifice. As a result, the sunflower oil–fed rats presented higher β-cell numbers and twice the insulin content than virgin olive oil–fed animals. In addition, rats fed with fish oil developed acinar fibrosis and macrophage infiltrates in peri-insular regions, compared with counterparts fed with virgin olive oil. Inflammation signs were less prominent in the sunflower group. The obtained data emphasize the importance of dietary fatty acids in determining pancreatic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We aimed to investigate the effects of fish oil (FO) supplementation to pregnant women on the maternal and fetal fatty acid profile in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids (PL) and to identify the best compartment for the assessment of fatty acid status. A multi-centre, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted. Healthy pregnant women from three European centres were randomly assigned to receive from week 20 of gestation until delivery a daily dietary supplement with either FO (500 mg DHA+150 mg EPA), 400 μg 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, both or placebo. Fatty acids in plasma and erythrocyte PL were determined in maternal blood (week 20, week 30 of pregnancy and delivery) and in cord blood (delivery). FO supplementation increased DHA levels in maternal and cord plasma and erythrocyte PL. Higher percentage changes were observed in erythrocyte PL than in plasma PL. There were significant correlations between plasma and erythrocyte fatty acid levels in maternal and cord blood. Significant correlations between maternal and cord fatty acid levels at delivery in plasma and erythrocytes were also observed; however, correlation coefficients were higher for erythrocyte phophatidylethanolamine. FO supplementation increases maternal and fetal DHA status. Both plasma and erythrocytes appear to be suitable to evaluate the fatty acid status of mothers but erythrocytes seem to be a more reliable marker in neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Epidemiological studies have shown the potential health benefits of olive oil, specifically in relation to cancer incidence. The negative modulating effect, probably protective, of high virgin olive oil diets on carcinogenesis have been experimentally demonstrated. There is evidence that olive oil influences different stages of carcinogenesis, hormonal levels, cell membrane composition, signal transduction pathways, gene expression, and the immune system. Either its main monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, or the minor compounds may be responsible for its chemoprotective effects. Its bioactive compounds are emerging as potential agents in the treatment of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coenzyme Q distribution, as well as respiratory chain features, in rat brain mitochondria depend on mitochondrial subpopulation, brain region and age. Heavy mitochondria (HM) usually display the lowest content of respiratory components and the lowest enzymatic activities and it has been suggested that they represent the oldest mitochondrial population. In this study, we confirmed that HM are considerably compromised in their structure. In fact, HM showed to have the highest hydroperoxide content and the most consistent modifications in their fatty acid pattern with wide loss of fatty acids (or part of them) in the phospholipid moiety. Such situation could explain the typical impairment of HM and could support the hypothesis that they represent an old mitochondrial population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]