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Purpose: To study the effects of feeding docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, derived from novel canola oil), with same amount of arachidonic acid (ARA), supplemented diet to lactating dams on the immune system development of suckled offspring using a T helper type-2 (Th2)-dominant BALB/c mouse. Methods: Dams received nutritionally complete control (no ARA or DHA) or DHA + ARA diet (1% DHA and 1% ARA of total fatty acids) from 5 days pre-parturition to the end of 3-week suckling period. After euthanization, relevant tissues were collected to study fatty acids, splenocyte phenotype and function (ex vivo cytokines with/without lipopolysaccharide (LPS, bacterial challenge) or phorbol myristate acetate + ionomycin (PMAi) stimulation). Results: Feeding dams a DHA diet significantly increased the mammary gland milk phospholipid concentration of DHA and ARA. This resulted in 60% higher DHA levels in splenocyte phospholipids of the pups although ARA levels showed no difference. In dams fed DHA diet, significantly higher proportion of CD27+ cytotoxic T cell (CTL) and CXCR3+ CCR6- Th (enriched in Th1) were observed than control, but there were no differences in the splenocyte function upon PMAi (non-specific lymphocyte stimulant) stimulation. Pups from DHA-fed dams showed significantly higher IL-1β, IFN-γ and TNF-α (inflammatory cytokines) by LPS-stimulated splenocytes. This may be due to higher proportion of CD86+ macrophages and B cells (all p's < 0.05) in these pups, which may influence T cell polarization. Conclusion: Plant-based source of DHA in maternal diet resulted in higher ex vivo production of inflammatory cytokines by splenocytes due to change in their phenotype, and this can skew T cell towards Th1 response in a Th2-dominant BALB/c mouse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine serum fatty acids of lacto-ovo vegetarian (LOV), vegan (VEG) and omnivorous (OMN) adults, and to analyse the effects of consuming a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplement of vegetable origin on fatty acid profile. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design was conducted in healthy adults. Volunteers (n = 116) were randomly assigned to a DHA-supplement (dose 250 mg/day), made from the microalgae Schizochytrium sp., or a placebo during 5-week periods separated by a 5-week washout interim period. Compliance and dietary intake were estimated and serum fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography. Results were analysed by mixed linear models. Results: Percentage of linoleic acid (C18:2n6) in serum was the highest among the fatty acids in the three diet groups, followed by oleic (C18:1n9) and palmitic (C16:0) acids. Linoleic (C18:2n6) and alpha-linolenic (C18:3n3) acids were higher in VEG compared to OMN (p < 0.001), while in LOV, their levels were intermediate between the other groups. Women presented higher DHA (C22:6n3) than men (p < 0.001). The DHA-supplement increased serum DHA compared to placebo in the three diet groups (p < 0.001), and a higher increase was observed in VEG followed by LOV (p < 0.001). The ratio serum n-6/n-3 improved by the supplementation but remained higher in LOV and VEG than in OMN. In contrast, the DHA-supplement decreased docosapentaenoic (C22:5n3) and docosatetraenoic (C22:4n6) acids in all diet groups (p < 0.001) and increased the eicosapentaenoic to alpha-linolenic fatty acids ratio (p = 0.016). Conclusion: The DHA-supplement at dose of 250 mg/day was effective in increasing serum DHA either in omnivorous, lacto-ovo vegetarian and vegan adults. Clinical trial registration: Registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov), NCT04278482. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: Dietary fat intake has long been associated with fatty liver. Our study aimed to determine the effect of dietary fats on longitudinal fatty liver index (FLI) trajectories from adolescence to young adulthood. Methods: Nine hundred eighty-five participants in the Raine Study, Perth, Western Australia, Australia, had cross-sectional assessments at ages 14, 17, 20 and 22 years, during which anthropometric measurements and blood tests were obtained. FLI trajectories were derived from the longitudinal FLI results. Dietary fat intake was measured with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire at 14 years and log multinominal regression analyses were used to estimate relative risks. Results: Three FLI trajectories were identified and labelled as stable-low (79.1%, N = 782), low-to-high (13.9%, N = 132), and stable-high (7%, N = 71). The low-to-high group associated with an increased intake of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA, DPA and DHA (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.10–1.48) relative to the stable-low group. Compared to the stable-low group, omega-6 and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in the stable-high group were associated with an increased relative risk of 1.34 (95% CI 1.02–1.76) and 1.10 (95% CI 1.03–1.16), respectively. Conclusion: For those at high risk of fatty liver in early adolescence, high omega-6 fatty acid intake and a high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids are associated with increased risk of fatty liver. There should be caution in assuming these associations are causal due to possible undetected and underestimated confounding factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We investigated risk of myocardial infarction (MI) associated with the content of linoleic acid (LA) in adipose tissue, a biomarker of long-term dietary intake of LA and a marker of endogenous LA exposure. Methods: Between 1993 and 1997, 57,053 middle-aged subjects were included in the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort. We performed a case–cohort study that included a random sample of the full cohort (n = 3167) and all incident MI cases appearing during 16 years of follow-up (n = 2819). Information on incident MI cases was obtained by linkage with Danish nationwide registries. Adipose tissue biopsies were taken from the buttocks of the participants, and their fatty acid composition was determined using gas chromatography. HRs (hazard ratios) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to describe the associations between content of LA in adipose tissue and the risk of MI. HRs were calculated using weighted Cox proportional hazards regression with robust variance. Results: After adjustment for established risk factors of MI, adipose tissue content of LA was not associated with the risk of MI in men and women combined (quintiles 5 versus 1, HR, 1.03 (95% CI, 0.85–1.25), P-trend = 0.970) or in men and women separately (quintiles 5 versus 1, HR, 1.05 (95% CI, 0.83–1.33), P-trend = 0.871 and quintiles 5 versus 1, HR, 0.99 (95% CI 0.72–1.37), P-trend = 0.928, respectively). Investigating the association between LA and MI with a shorter, 5- or 10-year duration of follow-up provided similar results. Conclusion: Content of LA in adipose tissue was not associated with the risk of MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: Effects of long-chain omega-3 (LCn3) and omega-6 fatty acids on prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD, including Crohn's Disease, CD and ulcerative colitis, UC), and inflammation are unclear. We systematically reviewed long-term effects of omega-3, omega-6 and total polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) on IBD diagnosis, relapse, severity, pharmacotherapy, quality of life and key inflammatory markers. Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and trials registries, including RCTs in adults with or without IBD comparing higher with lower omega-3, omega-6 and/or total PUFA intake for ≥ 24 weeks that assessed IBD-specific outcomes or inflammatory biomarkers. Results: We included 83 RCTs (41,751 participants), of which 13 recruited participants with IBD. Increasing LCn3 may reduce risk of IBD relapse (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.72–1.01) and IBD worsening (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.71–1.03), and reduce erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, SMD − 0.23, 95% CI − 0.44 to − 0.01), but may increase IBD diagnosis risk (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.63–1.92), and faecal calprotectin, a specific inflammatory marker for IBD (MD 16.1 μg/g, 95% CI − 37.6 to 69.8, all low-quality evidence). Outcomes for alpha-linolenic acid, omega-6 and total PUFA were sparse, but suggested little or no effect where data were available. Conclusion: This is the most comprehensive meta-analysis of RCTs investigating long-term effects of omega-3, omega-6 and total PUFA on IBD and inflammatory markers. Our findings suggest that supplementation with PUFAs has little or no effect on prevention or treatment of IBD and provides little support for modification of long-term inflammatory status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Depression clinical trials are increasingly studying biomarkers to predict and monitor response to treatment. Assessment of biomarkers may reveal subsets of patients who are responsive to nutraceutical treatment, which may facilitate a personalized approach to treating depression. Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of an 8-week, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial (n = 158) investigating a combination nutraceutical comprising Omega-3 (EPA 1 g/DHA 656 mg), SAMe, zinc, 5-HTP, folinic acid, and co-factors versus placebo for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. The study explored levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, folate, vitamin B12, zinc, homocysteine, and BDNF as possible predictors and correlates of response to nutraceutical supplementation. Results: Concentrations of EPA and DHA in red cell membranes increased in response to treatment and were significantly correlated with a decrease in depressive symptoms during active treatment (p = 0.003 and p = 0.029; respectively). Higher baseline levels of omega-6 fatty acid also correlated with depression reduction in the active treatment group (p = 0.011). No other biomarkers were associated with a lessening of depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Changes in fatty acid levels resulting from a nutraceutical combination containing EPA and DHA provide a response biomarker in treating depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on correction notice "Maternal diet supplementation with high‑docosahexaenoic‑acid canola oil, along with arachidonic acid, promotes immune system development in allergy‑prone BALB/c mouse ofspring at 3 weeks of age."

Purpose: Essential fatty acids are critical for brain growth and neurodevelopment in infancy. Maternal diet and supplement use have a significant impact on the fat composition of human milk. The objective of this study is to assess supplement utilization patterns and fatty acid and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations in the breast milk of women following vegan, vegetarian, and omnivore diet patterns. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, observational study of 74 lactating women in the United States following a vegan (n = 26), vegetarian (n = 22), or omnivore (n = 26) diet pattern. A single breast milk sample was collected from each participant and assessed for fatty acids and BDNF. Results: Median unsaturated fatty acids in the breast milk of vegan, vegetarian, and omnivores, as a percentage of total fatty acids, was 66.0, 57.8, and 56.2%, respectively (p < 0.001). Total omega-3 percentages were 2.29% for vegans, 1.55% for vegetarians, and 1.46% for omnivores (p < 0.001). Docosahexaenoic acid percentages were not different by diet pattern, but over 80% of participants had milk concentrations below 0.30% of total fatty acids. Reports of omega-3 supplements use (10/74) and weekly seafood consumption (3/74) were limited. BDNF was not detectable in any samples. Conclusions: Breast milk from vegans had significantly higher unsaturated fat and total omega-3 fats, and lower saturated fats, trans fats, and omega-6 to omega-3 ratios than their vegetarian and omnivore counterparts. Docosahexaenoic acid concentrations in breast milk were low regardless of maternal diet pattern, and were reflective of low seafood intake and supplement use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Depression is common in adolescents and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are suggested to be associated with depression. However, research in adolescents is limited. Furthermore, self-esteem has never been studied in relation to LCPUFA. The objective here was to determine associations of depression and self-esteem with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), Omega-3 Index (O3I), n-6 docosapentaenoic acid (n-6 DPA, also called Osbond acid, ObA), n-3 docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and arachidonic acid (AA) concentrations in blood of adolescents attending lower general secondary education (LGSE). Methods: Baseline cross-sectional data from a krill oil supplementation trial in adolescents attending LGSE with an O3I ≤ 5% were analysed using regression models built with the BayesFactor package in R. Fatty acids and O3I were determined in blood. Participants filled out the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale (RSE). Results: Scores indicative of depression (CES-D ≥ 16) were found in 29.4% of the respondents. Of all fatty acids, we found extreme evidence [Bayes factor (BF) > 100] for a weak negative association between ObA and depression score [− 0.16; 95% credible interval (CI) − 0.28 to − 0.04; BF10 = 245], and substantial evidence for a weak positive association between ObA and self-esteem score (0.09; 95% CI, − 0.03 to 0.20; BF10 = 4). When all fatty acids were put in one model as predictors of CES-D or RSE, all of the 95% CI contained 0, i.e., no significant association. Conclusion: No evidence was found for associations of DHA, EPA and O3I with depression or self-esteem scores in LGSE adolescents with O3I ≤ 5%. The associations of higher ObA status with lower depression and higher self-esteem scores warrant more research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Obesity leads to the clustering of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) also in children and is often accompanied by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Quality of dietary fat, beyond the quantity, can influence CV risk profile and, in particular, omega-3 fatty acids (FA) have been proposed as beneficial in this setting. The aim of the study was to evaluate the associations of individual CV risk factors, characterizing the MetS, with erythrocyte membrane FA, markers of average intake, in a group of 70 overweight/obese children. Methods: We conducted an observational study. Erythrocyte membrane FA were measured by gas chromatography. Spearman correlation coefficients (rS) were calculated to evaluate associations between FA and features of the MetS. Results: Mean content of Omega-3 FA was low (Omega-3 Index = 4.7 ± 0.8%). Not omega-3 FA but some omega-6 FA, especially arachidonic acid (AA), were inversely associated with several features of the MetS: AA resulted inversely correlated with waist circumference (rS = − 0.352), triglycerides (rS = − 0.379), fasting insulin (rS = − 0.337) and 24-h SBP (rS = − 0.313). Total amount of saturated FA (SFA) and specifically palmitic acid, correlated positively with waist circumference (rS = 0.354), triglycerides (rS = 0.400) and fasting insulin (rS = 0.287). Fatty Liver Index (FLI), a predictive score of steatosis based on GGT, triglycerides and anthropometric indexes, was positively correlated to palmitic acid (rS = 0.515) and inversely to AA (rS = − 0.472). Conclusions: Our data suggest that omega-6 FA, and especially AA, could be protective toward CV risk factors featuring the MetS and also to indexes of hepatic steatosis in obese children, whereas SFA seems to exert opposite effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Interleukin (IL)-1β can activate glial cells to trigger neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Lower omega (n)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and lower n-3/n-6 PUFA ratios occur in the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We have previously reported that an n-3 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), can improve memory and attenuate neurodegeneration-like changes in animal models of AD. However, whether and how EPA modulates glial cell activity and functions remains unclear. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that EPA may attenuate neuroinflammation by inhibiting microglial activation and microglia-produced proinflammatory cytokines, and by enhancing the expression of astrocytes-produced neurotrophins and their receptors.Methods: Male Long-Evans rats were fed either palm oil supplemented diet or EPA supplemented diet for 42 days. On day 36 of diet feeding, rats received an intracerebroventricular injection of IL-1β or saline for 7 days. The glial activation, the expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP), calcium-dependent phospholipase (cPL) A2, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, and PUFA profile in the hippocampus were analyzed.Results: IL-1β elevated biomarkers of microglial CD11b and astrocyte GFAP expression, increased the expression of APP, tumor-necrosis factor (TNF)-α, but reduced BDNF and its receptor (TrKB). IL-1β also lowered n-3 EPA and docosapentaenoic acid concentrations but increased n-6 PUFAs and cPLA2 activity in the hippocampus. EPA supplement normalized the n-3 and n-6 PUFA profiles and cPLA2 levels, inhibited glial activation, reduced APP and TNF-α expression, as well as up-regulated BDNF and TrKB.Conclusion: Supplementation with EPA appear to have potential effects on improving glial over-activation, n3/n6 imbalance and BDNF down-regulation, which contribute to anti-inflammatory and may provide beneficial effects on inflammation-associated disease such as AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Essential fatty acids play a critical role in the growth and development of infants, but little is known about the fatty acid status of populations in low-income countries. The objective was to describe the fatty acid composition of red blood cells (RBC) in breastfeed Nepali infants and a subsample of their mothers and to identify the main sources of fatty acids in the mother’s diet, as well as the fatty acid composition of breast milk.Methods: RBC fatty acid composition was analyzed in a random sample of 303 infants and 72 mother, along with 68 breastmilk samples. Fatty acid profiles of the most important dietary fat sources were analyzed. Information on mother’s diet and intake of fat was collected by three 24-h dietary recalls.Results: In infant RBC’s, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was the main n-3 fatty acid, and arachidonic acid (AA) was the major n-6 fatty acid. Total n-6 PUFA was three times higher than total n-3 PUFA. Height-for-age (HAZ) was positively associated with DHA status and AA status in multivariable models. The concentration of all fatty acids was higher in children, compared to mothers, except Total n-6 PUFA and Linoleic acid (LA) where no differences were found. The mother’s energy intake from fat was 13% and cooking oil (sesame, mustard, soybean or sunflower oil) contributed 52% of the fat intake.Conclusions: RBC-DHA levels in both infants and mother was unexpected high taking into account few dietary DHA sources and the low DHA concentrations in breastmilk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In a well-characterised community-based prospective study, we aimed to systematically assess the differences in associations of plasma omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid (FA) status with all-cause mortality when plasma FA status is expressed in absolute concentrations versus relative levels.Methods: In a community sample of 564 women aged 25-75 years in Queensland, Australia, baseline plasma phospholipid FA levels were measured using gas chromatography. Specific FAs analysed were eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, total long-chain omega-3 FAs, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and total omega-6 FAs. Levels of each FA were expressed in absolute amounts (µg/mL) and relative levels (% of total FAs) and divided into thirds. Deaths were monitored for 17 years and hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals calculated to assess risk of death according to absolute versus relative plasma FA levels.Result: In total 81 (14%) women died during follow-up. Agreement between absolute and relative measures of plasma FAs was higher in omega-3 than omega-6 FAs. The results of multivariate analyses for risk of all-cause mortality were generally similar with risk tending to inverse associations with plasma phospholipid omega-3 FAs and no association with omega-6 FAs. Sensitivity analyses examining effects of age and presence of serious medical conditions on risk of mortality did not alter findings.Conclusions: The directions and magnitude of associations with mortality of absolute versus relative FA levels were comparable. However, plasma FA expressed as absolute concentrations may be preferred for ease of comparison and since relative units can be deduced from absolute units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Apolipoprotein A2 (APOA2) −265T>C polymorphism has been studied in relation to oxidative stress and various dietary fatty acids. Since the interaction between APOA2 polymorphism and dietary fatty acids on oxidative stress has not yet discussed, we aimed to investigate the interaction on oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods: The subjects were 180 T2DM patients with known APOA2 genotype, either TT, TC or CC. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was determined by colorimetric method. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and serum level of 8-isoprostane F2α were measured by spectrophotometry and ELISA, respectively. Dietary intake was collected through a food frequency questionnaire. Based on the median intake, fatty acids intake was dichotomized into high or low groups. The interaction between APOA2 polymorphism and dietary fatty acids intake was analyzed by ANCOVA multivariate interaction model. Results: Higher than median intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) was associated with increased serum level of 8-isoprostane F2α in subjects with TT/TC genotype ( p = 0.004), and higher than median intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) was associated with increased serum SOD activity in CC genotype ( p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant interaction between APOA2 polymorphism and n-6 PUFA intake on 8-isoprostane F2α concentration as well as n-3 PUFA intake on serum SOD activity (p-interaction = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Conclusions: The current study shows the interaction between APOA2 polymorphism and dietary fatty acids intake on oxidative stress. More investigations on different populations are required to confirm the interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The imbalance of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the maternal diet impairs intestinal barrier development and sensitizes the colon response to inflammatory insults in the young rats. With a view to overcoming this issue, we designed this study to investigate the effect of maternal and neonatal intake of different proportions of n-6/n-3 fatty acids on colon inflammation in the young adult rats. Methods: Female Wistar rats were assigned into four groups, and each group fed one of four semisynthetic diets, namely n-6, low n-3, n-6/n-3 and n-3 fatty acids for 8 weeks prior to mating, during gestation and lactation periods. At weaning, the pups were separated from the dams and fed diet similar to the mothers. Colitis was induced on postnatal day 35, by administering 2 % dextran sulfate sodium in drinking water for 10 days. Colitis was assessed based on the clinical and inflammatory markers in the colon. Fatty acid analysis was done in liver, RBC, colon and spleen. Results: A balanced n-6/n-3 PUFA diet significantly improved the body weight loss, rectal bleeding and mortality in rats. This was associated with lower myeloperoxidase activity, nitric oxide, prostaglandin E, TNF-α and IL-6, IL-8, COX-2 and iNOS levels in the colon tissues. Fatty acid analysis has shown that the arachidonic acid/docosahexaenoic acid ratio was significantly lower in liver, RBC, colon and spleen in n-6/n-3 and n-3 diet groups. Conclusion: We demonstrate that balanced n-6/n-3 PUFA supplementation in maternal and neonatal diet alters systemic AA/DHA ratio and attenuates colon inflammation in the young adult rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) intake (n-6 and n-3) and mortality in a population-based sample with a low fish intake. Methods: Cox regression was used to examine the relationships between dietary PUFA intake and all-cause or CVD mortality in the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab) cohort, a population of 11,247 Australians aged ≥25 years recruited in 1999/2000 and followed until 2012. Demographic, lifestyle and behavioural information were collected by questionnaire and fasting blood tests undertaken. Dietary intake was collected by a 121-item food frequency questionnaire. Vital status and causes of death were collected by death registry linkage. Results: Those in the highest quintile of n-6 PUFA intake had lower risk of CVD mortality (HR 0.57, 95 % CI 0.38-0.86) after age and sex adjustment, but this failed to retain significance after further risk factor adjustment. Consumption of ≥1 serves/week of non-fried fish was associated with reduced risk of CVD mortality (HR 0.64, 95 % CI 0.45-0.91, p = 0.013) compared to those eating less than 1 serve/month, after sex and age adjustment, but did not retain significance after further adjustment. However, long-chain n-3 intake was not associated with CVD mortality, and those in the highest quintile of n-3 intake had a higher risk of all-cause mortality. Conclusions: These findings do not support previous suggestions that n-6 PUFA have adverse effects on CVD risk. Greater intake of non-fried fish was associated with lower risk of CVD mortality, but those with the highest total n-3 intake were at slightly increased risk of all-cause mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim was to determine the effects of cafeteria diet (CD) and fish oil supplements given to pregnant and lactating rats on the birth weight and fatty acid profiles of their offspring. Methods: Female rats were given standard diet (STD) or CD for 22 days before pregnancy. After mating, some animals remained on STD or CD; for some CD rats, the diet was supplemented with 8.78 % fish oil (CD-FO). After 12 days, half the CD-FO group returned to CD (CD-FO12) and the others remained on CD-FO. Results: At birth, body weights of pups of the three CD groups were lower than STD, maintained until 21 days in the CD-FO group only. At the end of lactation, dams of the CD groups had increased plasma triacylglycerols (TAG), non-esterified fatty acids, and glycerol concentrations, whereas most n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) were decreased, the effect being greatest in the CD-FO group, where most n-3 LCPUFA were increased and indices of Δ and Δ desaturase activities decreased. The 21-day-old pups of the CD group had increased plasma TAG, not present in the CD-FO group, which had increased 3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. In both 2- and 21-day-old CD pups, plasma concentrations of ARA were lower than STD, and even lower in the two CD-FO groups. Conclusions: The effect of CD and CD-FO decreasing pups body weight could be related to decreased concentrations of ARA, caused by the inhibition of the Δ and Δ desaturases in the pathway of n-6 LCPUFA biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: ω3 and ω6 fatty acids (FA) may have divergent effects on the development of obesity. We examined the association of baseline erythrocyte ω3 and ω6 FA composition with body weight change and the risk of becoming overweight or obese in the Women's Health Study (WHS) participants. Methods: We identified 534 women who had baseline erythrocyte FA measured and a baseline body mass index (BMI) of 18.5-<25 kg/m. Body weight was updated at a total of six time points during follow-up. Results: Weight gain during a mean of 10.4-year follow-up increased with increasing quartiles of baseline erythrocyte cis ω6 FA, ω6/ω3 ratio, and trans FA while decreased with increasing cis ω3 FA. After multivariable adjustment including total energy intake and physical activity, the weight gain (kg) in the highest versus the lowest quartile was 3.08 versus 2.32 for erythrocyte cis ω6 FA ( p 0.04), 2.07 versus 2.92 for cis ω3 FA ( p 0.08), 2.93 versus 2.05 for ω6/ω3 ratio ( p 0.046), and 3.03 versus 2.27 for trans FA ( p 0.06). Among individual FA, the associations were significant for 18:2ω6, 18:3ω6, and trans 18:1 and marginally significant for 20:3ω6 and trans 18:2. The risk of becoming overweight or obese (defined as BMI ≥25 kg/m at any follow-up time point) increased across increasing ω6/ω3 ratio (multivariable model p 0.04). Conclusions: In this prospective study, we found suggestive evidence that erythrocyte cis ω6 FA may be positively associated, and cis ω3 FA inversely associated with weight gain in initially normal-weight women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Systemic exposures to intestinal bacteria may play a role in the etiology of the chronic, low-grade inflammation that is associated with western diets. Production of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) is one biomarker of increased exposures to intestinal bacteria. This study evaluated whether changes in diet quality could affect serum LBP. Methods: This was a randomized, controlled trial of Mediterranean and Healthy Eating diets over 6 months in 120 healthy subjects at increased risk of colon cancer. Blood samples obtained before and after intervention were analyzed for LBP, branched-chain fatty acids characteristic of intestinal bacteria, micronutrients and cytokines. Data were analyzed for changes in LBP over time and for predictors of LBP. Results: Serum concentrations of branched-chain bacterial fatty acids declined significantly in both diet groups. However, there was no significant change in mean serum LBP concentrations with either diet intervention. In serum, LBP was positively associated with CRP and negatively associated with carotenoids both before and after intervention. After intervention, LBP was predicted positively by both CRP and bacterial fatty acid concentrations in serum, and negatively by serum carotenoids and the ω3/ω6 fatty acid ratio. This model accounted for 30 % of the inter-individual variation in serum LBP after intervention. Conclusions: These results indicate that dietary intervention over 6 months was insufficient to alter serum LBP. The relationships with inflammation-related markers, however, indicate that anti-inflammatory strategies other than changes in diet quality, such as weight loss or improved fitness, may have more potential for reducing systemic markers of LPS exposures in well-nourished populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Studies in rats suggest that fish proteins may improve lipid and glucose regulation and could thus be a potential tool in the treatment of obesity-related comorbidities. To date, all published rat studies on dietary fish protein have been designed with 50 or 100 % of dietary proteins from fish. As it is not common, nor advised, to consume fish as the only protein source in a healthy diet, mechanistic studies on the effects of diets with low dose fish proteins are needed. Here, we investigate whether a low dose of cod protein would affect glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism in obese Zucker fa/fa rats. Methods: Twelve male obese Zucker fa/fa rats consumed diets where cod proteins accounted for 25 % of the total protein intake with the remaining 75 % from casein (COD) or 100 % of protein as casein (CAS) for 4 weeks. Results: Rats fed COD achieved a higher body weight without affecting adiposity and thigh muscle mass after 4 weeks, but liver weight and hepatic cholesterol level were higher than in CAS-fed rats. Fasting serum level of non-esterified fatty acids and 2 h postprandial glucose level were lower in COD than in CAS. The fatty acid metabolism was beneficially affected by the COD diet, with e.g., higher ratio of n-3/n-6 PUFAs in serum, liver and adipose tissue when compared to CAS. Conclusions: A low intake of cod protein (25 % of protein intake) was sufficient to beneficially affect lipid metabolism and postprandial glucose regulation in obese fa/fa rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: An increased dietary intake of fat, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), has been related to an increased risk of breast, prostate and colon cancers. Patients with and without colon cancer were tested for differences in their fatty stores composition. Methods: The fatty acid levels were determined by gas-liquid chromatography in adipose tissue samples, subcutaneous and visceral, obtained intra-operatively from 52 colon cancer and 50 nonneoplastic abdominal disease patients. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, SNK test and Dunnet test. Differences in the composition of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, in visceral and in subcutaneous samples of colon cancer and nonneoplastic patients, were assessed. Results: The sum of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, respectively, in visceral and in subcutaneous samples, was higher in neoplastic patients ( p < 0.001). The sum of some n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), the dietary precursor linoleic acid (LA-18:2n-6), and their metabolites, gammalinolenic acid (GLA-18:3n-6) + dihomogammalinolenic acid (DGLA-20:3n-6) + arachidonic acid (AA-22:4n-6), was higher in subcutaneous fat of controls ( p < 0.05). The samples from these patients had a fatty acid composition, both subcutaneous and visceral, with a higher content of alphalinolenic acid (ALA-18:3n-3) and stearidonic acid (SDA-18:4n-3) compared to neoplastic patients ( p < 0.001). These had subcutaneous and visceral fat stores statistically higher in GLA, DGLA and AA ( p < 0.001). Colon cancer patients had subcutaneous adipose stores higher in ALA and LA than visceral sites ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: Fatty acids may be involved in colon carcinogenesis and there is a depot-specific impact on this process by visceral fat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. We aimed to clarify the impact of dietary walnut oil versus animal fat on hepatic steatosis, representing the initial step of multistage pathogenesis of NAFLD, in Zucker obese rats. Methods: Zucker lean ad libitum (a.l.), Zucker obese a.l. or Zucker obese pair fed (p.f.) to the lean received isocaloric diets containing 8 % walnut oil (W8), W14 or 14 % lard (L14) ( n = 10/group). Body weight, clinical serology, liver weight, lipid content and fatty acid composition and hepatic lipid metabolism-related transcripts were evaluated. Results: Compared to lean, Zucker obese a.l. and p.f. showed hepatic triacylglyceride (TAG) accumulation. In Zucker obese p.f., W14 compared to W8 and L14 reduced liver lipids, TAG as well as hepatic omega-6 (n-6)/n-3 ratio and SCD activity index [(C18:0 + C18:1)/C18:0 ratio] paralleled by decreased lipoprotein lipase mRNA in obese p.f. and elevated microsomal triglyceride transfer protein mRNA in lean and obese. Further, W14 elevated the fasting blood TAG and reduced cholesterol levels in obese. Conclusions: In our model, consumption of W14 inhibited hepatic lipid accumulation along with modulated hepatic gene expression implicated in hepatic fatty acid influx or lipoprotein assembly. These results provide first indication that dietary lipids from walnut oil are modulators of hepatic steatosis as the initial step of progressive NAFLD pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Animal and laboratory studies suggest that long-chain omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat found in fatty fish, may protect against carcinogenesis, but human studies on dietary intake of polyunsaturated fats and fish with endometrial cancer risk show mixed results. Methods: We evaluated the associations between endometrial cancer risk and intake of fatty acids and fish in a population-based sample of 556 incident cancer cases and 533 age-matched controls using multivariate unconditional logistic regression methods. Results: Although total n-3 fatty acid intake was not associated with endometrial cancer risk, higher intakes of eicosapentaenoic (EPA 20:5) and docosahexaenoic (DHA 22:6) fatty acids were significantly associated with lower risks (OR = 0.57, 95 % CI: 0.39-0.84; OR = 0.64, 95 % CI: 0.44-0.94; respectively) comparing extreme quartiles. The ratio of n-3:n-6 fatty acids was inversely associated with risk only on a continuous scale (OR = 0.84, 95 % CI: 0.71-0.99), while total fish intake was not associated with risk. Fish oil supplement use was significantly associated with reduced risk of endometrial cancer: OR = 0.63 (95 % CI: 0.45-0.88). Conclusions: Our results suggest that dietary intake of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA in foods and supplements may have protective associations against the development of endometrial cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The beneficial effects of a seafood-rich diet are highly documented and can be attributed to both n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and other less studied nutritional components including protein and antioxidants. The aim of the work was to investigate whether an under-utilized seafood source, eggs (roe) and sperm (milt) from herring ( Clupea harengus), can affect lipid metabolism and inflammation in a mouse model transgenic for human tumor necrosis factor alpha (hTNFα). Methods: A high-fat control diet (25% total fats, 20% protein, w/w) or high-fat diets supplemented with herring roe (3.7% fat, 15% protein, w/w), or milt (1.3% fat, 15% protein) were administered to female C57BL/6 hTNFα mice. After 2 weeks, hepatic enzyme activity, gene expression, lipid and fatty acid composition, fatty acid composition of epididymal adipose tissue, and plasma lipid and cytokine levels were determined. Results: Animals fed herring roe and milt displayed an increased hepatic fatty acid β-oxidation and reduced fatty acid synthase activity. However, while plasma TAG was reduced, hepatic TAG and plasma and hepatic cholesterol levels were increased by the herring diets. Both herring diets led to a substantial shift in the n-6: n-3 ratio in both liver and ovarian white adipose tissue. The herring diets also increased plasma carnitine and reduced the carnitine precursor trimethyllysine. Plasma short-chained acylcarnitine esters were significantly increased, which may reflect an increased β-oxidation of long-chained fatty acids. In addition, the diets tended to reduce the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: Herring roe or milt diets enhanced lipid catabolism and influenced the chronic inflammatory state in hTNFα-transgenic mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Modulation of circulating inflammatory markers and adiponectin may link PUFA to risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. We investigated erythrocyte n-6 and n-3 PUFA in relation to plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and adiponectin, and whether the Pro12Ala polymorphism in the PPARγ2 gene (PPARG2) modified these associations. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis among 1,222 women and 758 men participating in the EPIC-Potsdam study. Results: Most notably, in both sexes, higher linoleic acid (LA) was related to lower CRP (geometric mean outcome [mg/L], quintile 1, quintile 5, p for trend ≤ 0.01 unless otherwise stated: 0.95, 0.61 [women], 0.67, 0.51 [men]) and higher adiponectin (7.9, 9.1 [women], 5.3, 6.1 [men]), whereas higher γ-linolenic acid (GLA) and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) were related to higher CRP (GLA: 0.63, 0.92 [women], 0.55, 0.70, p = 0.08 [men], DGLA: 0.55, 1.07 [women], 0.52, 0.76 [men]) and lower adiponectin (GLA: 8.6, 8.0 [women], 5.8, 5.4, p = 0.08 [men], DGLA: 9.2, 7.9 [women], 5.9, 5.4, p = 0.08 [men]) adjusting for age and lifestyle. The associations mostly did neither strongly nor significantly vary by PPARG2 genotype. In women, Pro12Ala appeared to interact with arachidonic acid on CRP ( p = 0.04), as well as with docosatetraenoic acid on CRP ( p = 0.08) and adiponectin ( p = 0.02). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that erythrocyte PUFA, particularly LA and n-6 higher unsaturated fatty acids, are related to circulating CRP and adiponectin. They do not indicate that PUFA strongly interact with the PPARG2 Pro12Ala variant on these risk markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Polyunsaturated fatty acids play a key role in a number of biological functions. Rice bran oil (RBO) is rich in linoleic acid, an essential n-6 fatty acid. n-6 fatty acids are said to have proinflammatory effects as a result of an increase in n-6 fatty acidderived eicosanoids. RBO is also rich in γ-oryzanol, a compound from the unsaponifiable fraction, with antioxidant properties. Objective The aim of this work is to examine the effect of RBO - and/or γ-oryzanol - enriched diets on the regulation of the immune response. Methods 4 week-old Balb/C mice were fed diets enriched with either RBO or high oleic-sunflower oil (HOSO), for one month. Serum samples, bone marrow-derived macrophages and lymphocytes from the spleen were collected. Results Compared to HOSO, our results show that RBO modulates the immune system by enhancing B-lymphocyte proliferation (6842±2959 vs 10073±4186 cpm; HOSO vs RBO; n=10 per group) and TH1-type cytokines such as IL-2 (55.85±18.2 vs 101.7±21.6 pg/ml) or TNF-α (49.12±18.6 vs 184.9±46.2 pg/ml; HOSO vs RBO) in a significant way (n=10 per group).Moreover, the reduction found in the TH2 cytokine IL-4 (7.59±2.3 vs 4.48±1.6 pg/ml) and IgE (56.9±39.2 vs 42.4±35.2 ng/ ml; HOSO vs RBO, n=10 per group) levels suggests RBO may have antiallergenic properties. To elucidate the role of γ-oryzanol, a similar study was also carried out including diets enriched with refined RBO or HOSO containing γ-oryzanol (2 %). Our results suggest that although γ-oryzanol may modulate the immune system, it is not responsible for the overall immunostimulation effect seen for RBO. Conclusions RBO-enriched diets could be useful in situations where a potentiation of the immune response was required. The fatty acids composition, more than the unsaponifiable fraction, might be responsible for this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]