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Objective: To determine the effect of maternal status in (plasma and red blood cell) folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine, and vitamin D, as well as their interaction with MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) and MTRR A66G polymorphisms, on maternal plasma docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and arachidonic acid (ARA) levels and the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs)., Methods: ARA, EPA, and DHA composition was assessed using capillary gas chromatography., Results: ARA and DHA levels were higher in controls than in case mothers for low plasma folate status. For low red blood cell folate status, DHA levels were higher in controls than in case mothers. For high homocysteine levels, ARA and DHA levels were higher in controls than in case mothers. NTD mothers had lower EPA and DHA levels for low vitamin B12 levels. NTD mothers had lower DHA levels for low vitamin D levels. For low plasma folate status, DHA levels in the MTHFR C677T gene and ARA and EPA levels in MTHFR A1298C gene were different among the three genotypes in case mothers. DHA levels in the MTHFR C677T gene were different among the three genotypes in case mothers for both low and high homocysteine levels. For low vitamin B12 levels, ARA and DHA levels were different among the three genotypes of the MTHFR C677T gene in case mothers. In the MTHFR C677T gene, ARA and DHA levels were different among the three genotypes in case mothers for low vitamin D levels., Conclusions: More advanced research is required to verify a suitable biochemical parameter status in relation to the genotypes in pregnant women., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The aim of this study was to determine whether genetic variants in FADS1/FADS2 and ELOVL2 are associated with overweight–obesity and body mass index (BMI) and to assess the association between these genetic variants and lipid profile and fatty acid levels. A total of 259 overweight–obese patients were compared to 369 healthy controls. FADS1, FADS2, and ELOVL2 genes were associated with BMI and overweight–obesity (P ≤.001). In an additive model, the C allele in each of these variants was associated with a lower BMI: −1.18, −0.90, and −1.23 units, respectively. Higher amounts of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total saturated fatty acids (lauric [12:0], myristic [C14:0], palmitic [C16:0], stearic [C18:0], arachidic [20:0], lignoceric [24:0]), monounsaturated fatty acids (myristoleic [C14:1], erucic [C22:1 n-9]), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (α-linolenic [ALA, 18:3 n-3], docosahexaenoic [DHA, C22:6 n-3], eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA, C20:5n-3], arachidonic acid [AA, 20:4n-6], and conjugated linolenic acids [CLA1 and CLA2]) were shown in patients. A significant increase in D6D activities presented by 20:4n-6/18:2n-6 and 18:3n-6/18:2n-6, Δ9 desaturase (D9D) activity, estimated by the ratio 18:1n-9/18:0 and elongase activities (AE), and estimated by the ratio of docosatetraenoic/AA and DPA/EPA in patients. The C minor allele of FADS1 had significantly lower DHA. A significant decrease in stearic acid, EPA, and AE activity (docosatetraenoic/AA) was revealed in patients with the minor allele carriers of FADS2. The C minor allele of ELOVL2 had significantly lower ALA, EPA, DPA, and D6D activity (C20:4 n-6/C18:2n-6). These data suggest that variations in FADS1, FADS2, and ELOVL2 affect the risk of overweight–obesity and the level of circulating fatty acids and could point to a key molecular pathway of metabolic syndrome and its related comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to investigate biochemical differences between Octopus vulgaris caught off costal zone and from the deep-sea of the Golf of Gabès (South coast of Tunisia). In both fishing grounds, octopus total lipids constituted almost 1.5% of wet tissue showing no significant difference (p < 0.05). The percentage distribution of fatty acids was not significantly different, neither between males and females, nor between both areas. Polyunsaturated fatty acids constituted about 50 % of the total fatty acids. docosahexaenoic (DHA; C22:6 ω3), eicosapentaenoic (EPA; C20:5 ω3) and the arachidonic acids (C20:4) were the most important of this group with percentages of 25, 14 and 10% respectively. The saturated fraction constituted almost 30% of the total fatty acids. The most dominant saturated fatty acids were palmitic acid (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0), with 18% and 7% respectively. The monounsaturated content was found to contribute only 10% of the total fatty acids. most of the monounsaturated fat was present as oleic acid (C18:1) and palmitoleic acid (C16:1) with 2.5% and 1.5% respectively. The presence of arachidonic acid in substantial proportions with an omega 3 to omega 6 ratios of 3.9 to 1 is of special interest because of the role of cephalopods in the traditional mediterranean diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study plasma arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) status in Tunisian very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and their association with selected neonatal morbidities. A total of 709 VLBW infants and 339 term infants were included. Plasma fatty acids were analyzed using capillary gas chromatography. VLBW infants had significantly (p < 0.001) lower plasma AA (9.44 ± 2.12 vs. 10.8 ± 2.10) and DHA (2.56 ± 0.89 vs. 3.46 ± 1.09) levels, but higher n-6:n-3 ratio (5.58 ± 1.22 vs. 5.17 ± 1.46) than term infants. In VLBW infants, plasma AA and DHA were related to gestational age (r = 0.156; p = 0.001 and r = 0.134; p = 0.003, respectively), birthweight (r = 0.242; p < 0.001 and r = 0.181; p < 0.001, respectively) and head circumference (r = 0.138; p = 0.005 and r = 0.108; p = 0.027, respectively). Infants with respiratory distress syndrome have decreased plasma AA and DHA and those with intraventricular hemorrhage have decreased plasma AA and n-6:n-3 ratio. Sepsis was associated with decreased DHA levels. Plasma long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids status is low in VLBW infants. These deficits may enhance the risk of common neonatal morbidities, rendering their prevention and correction greatly warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]