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Introduction: Endocannabinoids are a target in obesity treatment and they are produced from the essential fatty acids, the metabolites of linoleic acid act as agonists of the cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1), likewise, the metabolites of the linolenic acid act as inverse agonists of such receptors, hence, it is proposed that modifying the dietary intake of the essential fatty acids (Omega 6 and 3) may modulate the activation of the endocannabinoid system, this could be favorable for people with food addiction, considering how this system promotes the activity of the dopaminergic pathways that are altered in the psychoactive substances addiction. Objective: To analyze the correlation between the food addiction score and plasmatic levels of arachidonic acid in adults with obesity following a modulation of the dietary intake of essential fatty acids n-6 and n-3 food sources. Methods: A pilot study was carried out with a two-period crossover clinical trial design, in which the participants received standard and experimental treatments, in these programs, plans were provided following guidelines for the nutritional management of obesity, in addition, the experimental treatment included recommendations to reduce the intake of linoleic acid and to increase the intake of linolenic acid to obtain a ratio lower to 5:1 between these fatty acids. Results: A significant decrease in the food addiction score and plasmatic levels of arachidonic acid was observed in the participants exposed to the experimental treatment, showing a directly proportional correlation, moreover, the standard treatment was associated to inverse correlations between these variables. Conclusion: The decrease in plasmatic arachidonic acid levels was associated with lower scores on the mYFAS 2.0 of food addiction in the participants of this study following their exposure to the experimental treatment, Introducción: los endocannabinoides son una diana en el tratamiento de la obesidad y se producen a partir de ácidos grasos esenciales, los derivados del ácido linoleico actúan como agonistas de los receptores cannabinoides tipo 1 (CB1), asimismo, los derivados del ácido linolénico ejercen efectos de antagonistas de dichos receptores, por lo cual se plantea que modificar el consumo dietario de los ácidos grasos omega 3 y 6 podría modular la activación del sistema endocannabinoide, lo que podría ser favorable para personas con adicción a la comida, considerando cómo este sistema promueve la actividad de las vías dopaminérgicas que se alteran en la adicción a sustancias psicoactivas. Objetivo: analizar la correlación entre el puntaje de adicción a la comida por la escala mYFAS 2.0 y los niveles plasmáticos de ácido araquidónico en adultos con obesidad tras modular la ingesta de alimentos fuente de ácidos grasos esenciales. Metodología: se desarrolló un estudio piloto con diseño de ensayo clínico cruzado en dos tiempos, en donde los participantes recibieron los tratamientos estándar y experimental, en estos se brindaron planes siguiendo recomendaciones para el manejo nutricional de la obesidad, adicionalmente, el tratamiento experimental contó con pautas para disminuir el consumo del Omega 6 y aumentar el consumo de Omega 3 para obtener una relación menor a 5:1 entre estos ácidos grasos. Resultados: se observó una disminución significativa en el puntaje de adicción a la comida y los niveles plasmáticos de ácido araquidónico en los participantes tras recibir el tratamiento experimental, presentando una correlación directamente proporcional entre estas, por otro lado, el tratamiento estándar estuvo asociado a una correlación inversamente proporcional entre estos. Conclusiones: el descenso en las concentraciones plasmáticas del ácido araquidónico fue asociado a un menor puntaje en la escala mYFAS 2.0 de adicción a la comida en los participantes de este estudio tras su expo

Oxidative stress and inflammation have been recognized as important contributors to the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may regulate the antioxidant signaling pathway and modulate inflammatory processes. They also influence hepatic lipid metabolism and physiological responses of other organs, including the heart. Longitudinal prospective cohort studies demonstrate that there is an association between moderate intake of the omega-6 PUFA linoleic acid and lower risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), most likely as a result of lower blood cholesterol concentration. Current evidence suggests that increasing intake of arachidonic acid (up to 1500 mg/day) has no adverse effect on platelet aggregation and blood clotting, immune function and markers of inflammation, but may benefit muscle and cognitive performance. Many studies show that higher intakes of omega-3 PUFAs, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are associated with a lower incidence of chronic diseases characterized by elevated inflammation, including CVDs. This is because of the multiple molecular and cellular actions of EPA and DHA. Intervention trials using EPA + DHA indicate benefit on CVD mortality and a significant inverse linear dose–response relationship has been found between EPA + DHA intake and CVD outcomes. In addition to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory roles, omega-3 fatty acids are considered to regulate platelet homeostasis and lower risk of thrombosis, which together indicate their potential use in COVID-19 therapy

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.

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease of high complexity and of multifactorial origin. Understanding the effects of nutrition on childhood obesity metabolism remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to determine the fatty acid (FA) profile of red blood cell (RBC) membranes as a comprehensive biomarker of children's obesity metabolism, together with the evaluation of their dietary intake. An observational study was carried out on 209 children (107 healthy controls, 41 who were overweight and 61 with obesity) between 6 and 16 years of age. Mature RBC membrane phospholipids were analyzed for FA composition by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Dietary habits were evaluated using validated food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children (KIDMED) test. Compared to children with normal weight, children with obesity showed an inflammatory profile in mature RBC FAs, evidenced by higher levels of omega-6 polyunsaturated FAs (mainly arachidonic acid, p < 0.001). Children who were overweight or obese presented lower levels of monounsaturated FA (MUFA) compared to children with normal weight (p = 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively), resulting in an increased saturated fatty acid (SFA)/MUFA ratio. A lower intake of nuts was observed for children with obesity. A comprehensive membrane lipidomic profile approach in children with obesity will contribute to a better understanding of the metabolic differences present in these individuals.

Fermentation-biotechnology to produce high-protein agricultural biomass with potential as a feed ingredient is well-established. However, practical applicability of this technology in aquaculture has not been fully realized. The present work evaluates the nutritional and feed value of fermented sweet potato meal (ProEn-KTM) to replace soybean meal in the diet of juvenile Penaeus vannamei. Four experimental diets containing graded levels of ProEn- KTM replacing 0 (%), 25 (%), 50 (%) and 100 (%) of soybean meal were formulated and fed to P. vannamei for 8 weeks. Results showed that 100 (%) of soybean meal can be replaced by fermented sweet potato and 50 (%) replacement elicited growth promoting effects. Survival, feed conversion, and body composition were similar in all treatments. Dietary inclusion of fermented sweet potato promotes better ratio of the n-3/n-6 fatty acid and lowers the total gut bacteria as well as total Vibrio. Collectively these results suggest that fermented sweet potato meal could fully replace soybean meal in P. vannamei diet. The use of this feed ingredient is a practical approach to meet the increasing needs of proteins in feeds for the expansion and sustainability of P. vannamei aquaculture.

Uvod: Rezultati istraživanja daju originalan i važan doprinos sagledavanju pozitivnih i nagativnih efekata polinezasićenih masnih kiselina zastupljenih u ishrani, kao i mogućnostima i potrebama izmene njihovog odnosa u cilju postizanja povoljnih efekata na kardiovaskularni sisteam. Rezultati istraživanja imaju veliki praktični značaj, pre svega imajući u vidu da se radi o ispitivanju organskog sistema čiji poremećaji zahvataju daleko najveći postotak svetske populacije. Cilj: Cilj ovog istraživanja je bilo ispitivanje hroničnih efekata primene ishrane obogaćene omega-3 i omega-6 masnim kiselinama na funkciju miokarda, koronarni protok i oksido-inflamacijske parametre starih pacova. Materijal i metode: Istraživanje je dizajnirano kao eksperimentalna studija sprovedena ex vivo. Nakon hroničnog tretmana od 6 nedelja odgovarajućom ishranom, životinje su se žrtvovale kako bi se sprovela istraživanja na izolovanom srcu i biohemijske analize iz uzoraka perfuzata, plazme i lizata eritrocita. Biohemijske analize su određivane u uzorcima koronarnog venskog efluenta, koji je sakupljan na kraju kontrolnog perioda i na kraju perioda aplikacije ispitivane supstance. Svi reaktivni molekuli, koji su bili od interesa za naše istraživanje su mereni spektrofotometrijskom metodom. Pored toga, u uzorcima plazme i lizatu eritrocita merile su se vrednosti pro-oksidacionih, antioksidacionih i inflamatornih parametara. Rezultati: Hronična primena suplementacije alfa-linoleinskom kiselinom ima kardioprotektivno dejstvo u odnosu na primenu linolne kiseline na modelu izolovanog srca pacova. Ishrana obogaćena omega-6 masnim kiselinama utiče negativno na funkciju miokarda izolovanog srca pacova u odnosu na ishranu obogaćenu omega-3 masnim kiselinama. Primenom hronične ishrane sa odnosom omega-3/omega-6 u našem istraživanju 1:3,3 (55%:17%) u korist omega-3 masnih kiselina u vidu ulja lanenog semena, kao i primena masnih kiselina u odnosu omega-3/omega-6 1:9 (9%:73%) u vidu ulja noćurka u korist o, Introduction: The results of the research give an original and important contribution to the examination of the positive and negative effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids present in the diet, as well as the possibilities and needs of changing their relationship in order to achieve favorable effects on the cardiovascular system. The results of the research have a great practical significance, predominantly having in mind that this disruptions of this organic system are by far the largest percentage of the world population. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the chronic effects of diet enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids on myocardial function, coronary flow and oxidizing inflammatory parameters of old rats. Material and methods: The study was designed as an ex vivo experimental study. After 6 weeks of chronic treatment with adequate nutrition, animals were sacrificed to perform isolated heart investigation and biochemical analysis from perfusate, plasma, and erythrocyte lysates. Biochemical analyzes were determined in samples of the coronary venous effluent, which was collected at the end of the control period and at the end of the period of application of the tested substance. All reactive molecules that were of interest to our research were measured by a spectrophotometric method. In addition, in the plasma and lysate erythrocyte samples, the values of pro-oxidation, antioxidant and inflammatory parameters were measured. Results: The alpha-linoleic acid supplementation has a stronger cardioprotective effect than linoleic acid on the model of the isolated rat heart. Nutrition enriched with omega-6 fatty acids more affects the myocardial function of the isolated heart of the rat in relation to than diet enriched with omega-3 fatty acids. Using chronic nutrition with omega-3 / omega-6 ratio 1:3.3 (55%: 17%) in favor of omega-3 fatty acids in the form of flax seed oil, and the application of fatty acids in the ratio of omega-3 / omega-6 1:9 (95:73%)

Human milk fat is a concentrated source of energy and provides essential and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. According to previous experiments, human milk fat is partially lost during continuous enteral nutrition. However, these experiments were done over relatively short infusion times, and a complete profile of the lost fatty acids was never measured. Whether this loss happens considering longer infusion times or if some fatty acids are lost more than others remain unknown. Pooled breast milk was infused through a feeding tube by a peristaltic pump over a period of 30 min and 4, 12 and 24 h at 2 mL/h. Adsorbed fat was extracted from the tubes, and the fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total fat loss (average fatty acid loss) after 24 h was 0.6 ± 0.1%. Total fat loss after 24 h infusion was 0.6 ± 0.1% of the total fat infused, although the highest losses occur in the first 30 min of infusion (13.0 ± 1.6%). Short-medium chain (0.7%, p = 0.15), long chain (0.6%, p = 0.56), saturated (0.7%, p = 0.4), monounsaturated (0.5%, p = 0.15), polyunsaturated fatty (0.7%, p = 0.15), linoleic (0.7%, p = 0.25), and docosahexaenoic acids (0.6%, p = 0.56) were not selectively adsorbed to the tube. However, very long chain fatty (0.9%, p = 0.04), alpha-linolenic (1.6%, p = 0.02) and arachidonic acids (1%, p = 0.02) were selectively adsorbed and, therefore, lost in a greater proportion than other fatty acids. In all cases, the magnitude of the loss was clinically low

Arachidonic acid (ARA) is metabolized by cyclooxygenase (COX) and cytochrome P450 to produce proangiogenic metabolites. Specifically, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) produced from the P450 pathway are angiogenic, inducing cancer tumor growth. A previous study showed that inhibiting soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) increased EET concentration and mildly promoted tumor growth. However, inhibiting both sEH and COX led to a dramatic decrease in tumor growth, suggesting that the contribution of EETs to angiogenesis and subsequent tumor growth may be attributed to downstream metabolites formed by COX. This study explores the fate of EETs with COX, the angiogenic activity of the primary metabolites formed, and their subsequent hydrolysis by sEH and microsomal EH. Three EET regioisomers were found to be substrates for COX, based on oxygen consumption and product formation. EET substrate preference for both COX-1 and COX-2 were estimated as 8,9-EET > 5,6-EET > 11,12-EET, whereas 14,15-EET was inactive. The structure of two major products formed from 8,9-EET in this COX pathway were confirmed by chemical synthesis: ct-8,9-epoxy-11-hydroxy-eicosatrienoic acid (ct-8,9-E-11-HET) and ct-8,9-epoxy-15-hydroxy-eicosatrienoic acid (ct-8,9-E-15-HET). ct-8,9-E-11-HET and ct-8,9-E-15-HET are further metabolized by sEH, with ct-8,9-E-11-HET being hydrolyzed much more slowly. Using an s.c. Matrigel assay, we showed that ct-8,9-E-11-HET is proangiogenic, whereas ct-8,9-E-15-HET is not active. This study identifies a functional link between EETs and COX and identifies ct-8,9-E-11-HET as an angiogenic lipid, suggesting a physiological role for COX metabolites of EETs.

In this study, the seed oil content and fatty acid (FA) profile of 21 populations from 16 wild Salvia species of Iran were analyzed by GC. Patterns of chemical variations of the oils among species were identified via numerical analyses and also the taxonomic status of the infrageneric grouping was outlined in the genus. Salvia species were scored based on the contents of main FAs using principal coordinate analysis (PCO). The results showed that the total oil content in the seeds varied significantly, and ranged from 6.68 to 38.53% dry weight. alpha-Linolenic (18:3 omega 3, 1.69 -53.56%), linoleic (18:2 omega 6, 13.04 - 60.64%), oleic (18:1 omega 9, 6.15 - 27.06%), palmitic (16:0, 3.77-9.27%), and stearic (18:0, 1.78 - 3.05%) acid were identified as five major FAs in the oils. The amount of omega-3 and omega-6 FAs ranged between 1.90 - 53.80% and 13.46 - 60.83% of total FAs in the seed oils, respectively. The results confirmed that FA profiles were distinctive among the species and that they can be used as chemotaxonomic markers. The discrimination of Salvia species according to their botanical classification at intersectional level was supported. In general, seed oils of Salvia species were rich sources of polyunsaturated FAs, except in linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid, and may be valuable for food and pharmaceutical industries.

Background/Aims: Adequate intakes of omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are required for fetal growth, brain development and to support a healthy pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate dietary intakes and food sources of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs in a cohort of New Zealand (NZ) pregnant women. Method: Pregnant women (n=596) in their third trimester of pregnancy from throughout NZ completed an online validated FFQ to assess PUFA intakes over the past three months. Individual and combined intakes of the main PUFAs (linoleic acid, LA; alpha linolenic acid, ALA; arachidonic acid, AA; eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA; docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) were compared with dietary recommendations using frequency summary statistics. Results: Estimated median [25th, 75th percentile] intakes were: 11,580 [8,840, 15,760]mg/d LA (recommended 10,000mg/d), 1,300 [790, 2,120]mg/d ALA (recommended 1,000mg/d), 90 [60, 110]mg/d AA (upper limit 800mg/d), 180 [90, 460]mg/d total n-3 LC-PUFA (EPA plus DHA) (recommended 500mg/d), 60 [30, 190]mg/d EPA (recommended 220mg/d, and 110 [50, 250]mg/d DHA (recommended 200mg/d), with 30.9% of participants consuming more than 200mg/d DHA. Participants taking PUFA supplements (19.6%) had median intakes of 370 [210, 530]mg/d DHA, with 79.5% meeting DHA recommendations. Participants taking PUFA supplements were 16.5 times more likely to meet recommendations for DHA compared to participants not taking supplements. For participants not taking PUFA supplements (80.4%), DHA intakes were 90 [50, 160]mg/d and only 19% met the recommendations. Across all women fish and seafood were the main contributors of DHA (84.8%) and EPA (82.1%) intakes, yet only 9.5% and 12.2% of women consumed canned fish or fresh/frozen fish respectively at least twice per week. Over half of participants reported intakes of poultry (63.1%) and beef (60.8%) at least twice per week. Red meats and poultry (36.8%) alongside eggs (23.3%) were important sources of AA intake

Polymorphisms (SNPs) within the FADS gene cluster and the ELOVL gene family are believed to influence enzyme activities after an omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid (FA) supplementation. The objectives of the study are to test whether an n-3 supplementation is associated with indexes of desaturase and elongase activities in addition to verify whether SNPs in the FADS gene cluster and the ELOVL gene family modulate enzyme activities of desaturases and elongases. A total 208 subjects completed a 6-week supplementation period with 5 g/day of fish oil (1.9–2.2 g/day of EPA ? 1.1 g/day of DHA). FA profiles of plasma phospholipids were obtained by gas chromatography (n = 210). Desaturase and elongase indexes were estimated using product-to-precursor ratios. Twenty-eight SNPs from FADS1, FADS2, FADS3, ELOVL2 and ELOVL5 were genotyped using TaqMan technology. Desaturase indexes were significantly different after the 6-week n-3 supplementation. The index of d-5 desaturase activity increased by 25.7 ± 28.8 % (p\0.0001), whereas the index of d-6 desaturase activity decreased by 17.7 ± 18.2 % (p\0.0001) post-supplementation. Index of elongase activity decreased by 39.5 ± 27.9 % (p\0.0001). Some gene–diet interactions potentially modulating the enzyme activities of desaturases and elongases involved in the FA metabolism post-supplementation were found. SNPs within the FADS gene cluster and the ELOVL gene family may play an important role in the enzyme activity of desaturases and elongases, suggesting that an n-3 FAs supplementation may affect PUFA metabolism.

Life of modern people in urban conditions is characterized by lack of movement, which is main condition for maintenance of health, presence of large amount of additives and pesticide residua in food of plant and animal origin and polluted air and water. If the presence of oxidative stress is added as part of normal metabolism occurring during degradation of nutritive substances, when great quantity of free radicals is released, which organism in these conditions often is not capable of neutralizing, the homeostatic mechanisms are disturbed and this leads to health disturbances and even severe illnesses. In such complex living conditions, science is facing the challenge of finding out the way to prevent diseases and slow the aging process using food, primarily basic food stuffs - milk and meat, enriching them with certain substances which are of vital importance to our health. One of the ways is use of functional food which should contain not only its main nutritive value but also such ingredients which have impact on improvement of general health condition, i.e. they have preventive and therapy effect. In this paper, a review of the significance of omega-3 fatty acids in human nutrition is presented. As essential substances they cannot be synthesized in the organism, but have to be introduced through diet. Also, the significance of some essential omega-6 fatty acids as well as their mutual relation, are presented. The role of omega-3 fatty acids in animal nutrition is also pointed out in this paper, introduced or consumed by animals either by grazing or as diet supplement, which influence improvement of their production, reproduction and health performances., Život savremenog čoveka u urbanim uslovima karakteriše nekretanje kao osnovni uslov zdravlja, prisustvo velike količine aditiva i rezidua pesticida u hrani biljnog i animalnog porekla, zagađeni vazduh i voda. Ako se tome doda i prisustvo oksidativnog stresa kao deo normalnog metabolizma koji se dešava pri razlaganju hranljivih materija, pri čemu se oslobodi velika količina slobodnih radikala, koje organizam u ovakvim uslovima često nije sposoban da potpuno neutrališe, dolazi do narušavanja homeostatskih mehanizama koje često dovode do narušavanja zdravlja pa i do najtežih bolesti. U ovakvim složenim uslovima življenja, izazov nauke je da pronađe načine kako da putem hrane, pre svega osnovnih životnih namirnica mleka i mesa, obogaćujući ih pojedinim materijama koji su od vitalnog značaja za naše zdravlje, utiče na sprečavanje bolesti i usporavanje procesa starenja. Jedan od načina je i korišćenje funkcionalne hrane koja pored osnovne hranljive vrednosti treba da sadrži i takve sastojke koji utiču na popravljanje opšteg zdravstvenog stanja, odnosno deluju preventivno i terapeutski. U radu je na revijalan način predstavljen značaj omega-3 masnih kiselina u ishrani ljudi koje kao esencijalne materije ne mogu da se sintetišu u organizmu, već moraju da se unesu putem obroka. Takođe, ukazano je i na značaj pojedinih esencijalnih omega-6 masnih kiselina kao i međusoban odnos ovih dveju kiselina. Pored toga, istaknuta je uloga omega-3 masnih kiselina u ishrani životinja koje ih unose ili putem paše ili kao dodatak obroku, a one utiču na popravljanje njihovih proizvodnih, reproduktivnih i zdravstvenih performansi.

Evidence suggests omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) promote breast cancer whereas omega-3 (n-3) PUFAs inhibit breast cancer growth. These fatty acids may influence breast cancer development by impacting prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation and consequently estradiol synthesis. We sought to establish the relationship between erythrocyte n-6 and n-3 PUFAs with serum estradiol and breast density, two hormonally-related breast cancer risk factors. We hypothesized the n-6 PUFA's and the 6:3 PUFA ratio are positively related and n-3 PUFAs negatively related to both risk factors. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) also inhibit PGE2 formation, therefore were further hypothesized that estradiollevels would be lower among NSAID users. Participants (n=260) were eligible for these analyses if they were cancer-free, postmenopausal and not taking exogenous hormones. Estradiol levels were significantly lower among current users of NSAIDs as compared to non-users of NSAIDs. Further, estradiol concentration decreased with increasing total n-3 PUFAs and rose with increasing total n-6 PUFAs and the 6:3 PUFA ratio; however, this was noted only among non-users of NSAIDs. No relationship was observed between any fatty acid measure and breast density. In summary, lowering n-6 intake, increasing n-3 intake, or taking a NSAID may result in reduced estradiol synthesis and potentially breast cancer risk.

Extensive experimental evidence has shown the intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) promotes breast cancer (1), while consumption of omega-3 PUFAs inhibits this disease. (2) Furthermore, it appears that the cancer promoting activity of the omega-6 fatty acids is abrogated by the competitive inhibition of omega-3 fatty acids (3,4). Although the mechanism by which the 6:3 PUFA ratio may promote breast cancer is unknown, it is suggested that a high 6:3 PUFA ratio may influence breast cancer is unknown, it is suggested that a high 6:3 PUFA ratio may influence breast cancer risk by increasing prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis thereby inducing estrogen production, via upregulation of aromatase., The original document contains color images.

Prostate Cancer (PCa) accounts for nearly 30% of all newly diagnosed cancers among American men. Epidemiologic studies suggest that dietary factors may be important in the etiology of this disease. The objective of our research is to determine how nutritional compounds genistein, betasitosterol (SIT), and omega-6 fatty acids (FA) function as modulators of PCa. In the third and final year of this fellowship, the fellow joined the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program and has continued working on the DOD-PCRP Postdoctoral Fellowship project and 30% effort (with knowledge and approval from the DOd-PCRP). During this year, we finished printing our custom microarray as well as optimized the hybridization protocol. We are currently performing expression analysis using the microarrays for both the in vitro and in vivo experiments using well established cell lines. Finally, we have initiated xenograft in vivo experiments with a novel PCa model that was developed recently in a collaborating laboratory.

Epidemiological observations reveal that Japanese women, who eat a low-fat diet with a high fish consumption, have a much lower incidence of breast cancer than North American and European women who eat a higher fat diet rich in omega-6 polyunsaturated fats. This observation has been supported by experimental research that omega-6 fatty acids like corn and safflower oil can promote tumor growth, and omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil can inhibit tumor growth. Omega-3 fatty acids serve a protective role against breast cancer by competitively inhibiting harmful omega-6 metabolites that may be responsible for tumor promotion. This research holds promise for possible clinical applications including breast cancer risk screening, dietary prevention, and therapeutic dietary intervention for breast cancer patients.

Cord serum (CS) phospholipid fatty acid composition is influenced by the maternal diet during foetal life and maternal intake of LA and LNA has been shown to influence the LA and LNA levels in CS. A possible connection between the increased incidence of atopic diseases and the simultaneous increased intake of linoleic acid (LA, C18:2ω-6) and decreased intake of α-linolenic acid (LNA, C18:3 ω-3) in the western world has been proposed. The aim of this study was to explore phospholipid fatty acid proportions and total IgE levels in CS collected from 1985 to 2005 from Swedish children, in a period with increasing frequency of allergic diseases in Sweden, and reveal possible changes over time. Omega (ω)-6 and ω-3 fatty acids and total IgE antibodies were analysed with gas chromatography and UniCAP® technology respectively in a total of 300 CS samples (60 samples every fifth year). The proportions of linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 ω-6) and α-linolenic acid (LNA, C18:3 ω-3) decreased significantly from 1985 to 2005. However, the LA/LNA ratio did increase revealing a relatively larger decrease in LNA than in LA. The proportions of both arachidonic acid (AA; C20:4 ω-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 ω-3) as well as other ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids increased significantly during the same time period. No correlations were found between ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids and total IgE levels in CS from newborn infants.