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The present study evaluated saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acid (FA) profiles of seven new improved and three traditional red and white rice varieties (RV) of Sri Lanka. Oil was extracted from whole grain rice flour, derivatized to methyl esters, and analyzed by gas chromatography (n = 3 each). Results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in FA profiles among the RV, red vs white RV, and traditional vs new improved RV. The oil % of RV varied from 1.94–3.19%. Total FAs, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), total unsaturated FAs, and PUFAs to SFAs ratios of studied RV varied from 19.40–31.90, 4.40–7.04, 8.35–13.60, 6.65–11.26 and 15.00–24.86 mg/g of rice and 1.44–1.83 respectively. The tested RV had four omega-6 FAs while omega-3 FAs were absent. The major FAs found in all RV were palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids and these three FAs together contributed to 88–95% of the total FAs present in rice. Among these FAs, 70–76% were unsaturated FAs. Considering all, RV consisting of healthy fatty acid profiles could be identified by studying their total fatty acid profile rather than studying their oil % and the total fatty acid contents. • Fatty acid (FA) profiles varied significantly among the studied rice varieties. • All varieties had more unsaturated FAs compared to saturated FAs. • Polyunsaturated FAs/saturated FAs ratio was high in white rice varieties. • Differences among rice varieties were due to individual FAs rather than total FAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a balanced diet for companion animals, the lipid component represents an important nutrient and source of energy, moreover it increases the palatability of the food. Dogs and cats are unable to synthesize essential fatty acids (EFAs) needed for their metabolism, therefore, they must be taken with the diet. The majority of dry pet food nowadays on the market are produced starting from fresh meats and meat meals which have a different lipid composition. This study was conducted to analyse the lipid component of the raw materials used for the production of dry pet food, paying particular attention to the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), the ω-3 and ω-6, whose presence is fundamental for pet health. The crude fats of both fresh meats and meat meals were analysed by a gravimetric method while the lipid profile was determined by LC/MS-QTOF (Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry-Quadrupole Time Of Flight) in order to evaluate the lipid component, in terms of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids of the different raw materials used for dry pet food production. The results demonstrated that fresh meats have a better lipid profile, having a higher concentration of PUFAs compared to meat meals, thus making fresh meats the best choice as raw materials for dry pet food production from the lipid point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) undergo dedifferentiation upon the two-dimensional (2D) culture, which particularly hinders their utility in long-term in vitro studies. Lipids, as a major class of biomolecules, play crucial roles in cellular energy storage, structure, and signaling. Here, for the first time, we mapped the alterations in the lipid profile of the dedifferentiating PHHs and studied the possible role of lipids in the loss of the phenotype of PHHs. Simultaneously, differentially expressed miRNAs associated with changes in the lipids and fatty acids (FAs) of the dedifferentiating PHHs were investigated. Methods: PHHs were cultured in monolayer and their phenotype was monitored morphologically, genetically, and biochemically for five days. The lipid and miRNA profile of the PHHs were analyzed by mass spectrometry and Agilent microarray, respectively. In addition, 24 key genes involved in the metabolism of lipids and FAs were investigated by qPCR. Results: The typical morphology of PHHs was lost from day 3 onward. Additionally, ALB and CYP genes were downregulated in the cultured PHHs. Lipidomics revealed a clear increase in the saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) containing lipids, but a decrease in the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) containing lipids during the dedifferentiation of PHHs. In line with this, FASN, SCD, ELOVL1, ELOVL3, and ELOVL7 were upregulated but ELOVL2 was downregulated in the dedifferentiated PHHs. Furthermore, differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, and the constantly upregulated miR-27a and miR-21, and downregulated miR-30 may have regulated the synthesis, accumulation and secretion of PHH lipids during the dedifferentiation. Conclusion: Our results showed major alterations in the molecular lipid species profiles, lipid-metabolizing enzyme expression as wells as miRNA profiles of the PHHs during their prolonged culture, which in concert could play important roles in the PHHs’ loss of phenotype. These findings promote the understanding from the dedifferentiation process and could help in developing optimal culture conditions, which better meet the needs of the PHHs and support their original phenotype.

The complex biochemical composition of onions has been studied as a source of biological components with health-related properties. The evolution of hypercholesterolemia is associated with a large range of alterations considered as strong risk factors for many cardiovascular events. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of onion as functional ingredient on plasma, erythrocyte, liver and adipose tissue fatty acid composition in hypercholesterolemic male Wistar rats. Rats (n = 24) were randomly divided into three groups: control (C), high-cholesterol (HC), and high-cholesterol enriched with onion (HCO) groups. At the end of 7 weeks, animals were anesthetized and euthanized by extracting blood by cardiac puncture. Plasma, erythrocytes, liver and adipose tissue were collected and immediately stored at − 80 °C. Fatty acid methyl esters were identified and quantified by GC/MS. Total fatty acid concentration decreased in liver and adipose tissue both in HC and HCO groups. SFA content was significantly higher in plasma, erythrocytes and liver in the C group compared to HC and HCO groups. In contrast, SFAs increased in adipose tissue both in HC and HCO groups compared to the C group. A significant increase in MUFA content in plasma was found in HC and HCO groups compared to the C group; in erythrocytes and liver the increase was lower. In plasma, PUFA content was significantly lower in HC and HCO groups compared to the C group. Interestingly, in liver and adipose tissue, PUFAs increased in HC and HCO groups compared to the C group. Results showed noticeable effects on individual fatty acid composition when assaying high-cholesterol diets in rats, in some cases enhanced by onion enrichment. Further research is needed to deeper understand the involved mechanisms and pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Plasma levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are different before and after periodontal treatment. Asians and Westerners have significantly different baseline levels of plasma PUFAs. However, no Asian study has reported the effects of nonsurgical treatment on the correlation between periodontal condition and plasma levels of PUFAs. We analyzed whether recovery from periodontitis was correlated with the elevation of plasma fatty acids 3 months after the nonsurgical intervention and with no recommended supplements. Design: Thirty-five Taiwanese patients with periodontitis were recruited. Probing pocket depths (PPDs) and clinical attachment levels (CALs) were measured at baseline and 3 months after the nonsurgical treatment. Plasma levels of fatty acids were determined using gas chromatography. Differences and correlations between plasma fatty acid composition and periodontitis severity at baseline and 3 months after treatment were determined. Results: Twenty-six patients completed the study. At the baseline, PPDs were negatively correlated with plasma n-3 PUFAs (r =−0.52, p <0.01), but at 3 months post intervention, periodontitis severity had declined and the weight percentages of n-3 PUFAs, DPA, and DHA were significantly (p =0.019, 0.005, and 0.037, respectively) higher. The recovery percentages of CALs were positively and significantly correlated with plasma ΔPUFAs and the percentage of Δn-3 PUFAs in ΔPUFAs (r =0.42 and 0.45, respectively; p <0.05 for both). Conclusions: We conclude that a higher weight percentage of n-3 PUFAs in total PUFAs was related to the recovery of CALs 3 months after the nonsurgical periodontal treatment. However, no such relationship was found for PPDs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The membrane protein monoglucosyldiacylglycerol synthase (MGS) from Acholeplasma laidlawii is responsible for the creation of intracellular membranes when overexpressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli). The present study investigates time dependent changes in composition and properties of E. coli membranes during 22h of MGS induction. The lipid/protein ratio increased by 38% in MGS-expressing cells compared to control cells. Time-dependent screening of lipids during this period indicated differences in fatty acid modeling. (1) Unsaturation levels remained constant for MGS cells (~62%) but significantly decreased in control cells (from 61% to 36%). (2) Cyclopropanated fatty acid content was lower in MGS producing cells while control cells had an increased cyclopropanation activity. Among all lipids, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) was detected to be the most affected species in terms of cyclopropanation. Higher levels of unsaturation, lowered cyclopropanation levels and decreased transcription of the gene for cyclopropane fatty acid synthase (CFA) all indicate the tendency of the MGS protein to force E. coli membranes to alter its usual fatty acid composition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Three month long intake of chokeberry juice (100 mL) in healthy women was evaluated. [•] Long-term chokeberry juice consumption improved membrane lipids status. [•] Effects on membrane lipids correlated with change in antioxidant enzymes activity. [•] Malondialdehyde was the only serum parameter influenced by the consumption. [•] Chokeberry juice has a potential to prevent oxidative stress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The endogenous synthesis of lipids, which requires suitable dietary raw materials, is critical for the formation of membrane bilayers. In eukaryotic cells, phospholipids are the predominant membrane lipids and consist of hydrophobic acyl chains attached to a hydrophilic head group. The relative balance between saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated acyl chains is required for the organization and normal function of membranes. Virgin olive oil is the richest natural dietary source of the monounsaturated lipid oleic acid and is one of the key components of the healthy Mediterranean diet. Virgin olive oil also contains a unique constellation of many other lipophilic and amphipathic constituents whose health benefits are still being discovered. The focus of this review is the latest evidence regarding the impact of oleic acid and the minor constituents of virgin olive oil on the arrangement and behavior of lipid bilayers. We highlight the relevance of these interactions to the potential use of virgin olive oil in preserving the functional properties of membranes to maintain health and in modulating membrane functions that can be altered in several pathologies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane Structure and Function: Relevance in the Cell's Physiology, Pathology and Therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigated the influence of three high-fat diets (HFDs), differing in the percentage of total calories from saturated fat (SF) (6%, 12%, 24%) but identical in total fat (40%), for a 16-week period in mice on a variety of tissue-specific cellular processes believed to be at the root of obesity-related diseases. Specifically, we examined ectopic lipid accumulation, oxidative capacity [peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) mRNA and protein; mtDNA; Cox IV and cytochrome C protein; citrate synthase activity; and gene expression of fission 1, mitofusin (Mfn) 1 and Mfn2], oxidative stress (4-hydroxy-2-nonenal), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (binding immunoglobulin protein, activating transcription factor 6-p50, p-eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha and x-box binding protein 1 spliced protein), inflammatory [p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p-nuclear factor kappa-B, p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase) and insulin signaling (p-Akt), and inflammation [tumor necrosis factor-alpha, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, interleukin-6, F4/80, toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 gene expression] in various tissues, including the adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscle and heart. In general, adipose and hepatic tissues were the only tissues which displayed evidence of dysfunction. All HFDs down-regulated adipose, cardiac and hepatic PGC-1α mRNA and hepatic citrate synthase activity, and induced adipose tissue oxidative stress, whereas only the 6%-SF and 12%-SF diet produced hepatic steatosis. However, compared to the 6%-SF and 24%-SF diets, consumption of the 12%-SF diet resulted in the greatest degree of dysregulation (hepatic ER and oxidative stress, JNK activation, increased F4/80 gene expression and down-regulation of adipose tissue Akt signaling). These findings suggest that the saturated fatty acid composition of an HFD can greatly influence the processes responsible for obesity-related diseases — nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, in particular — as well as provide further evidence that the mechanisms at the root of these diseases are diet and tissue sensitive. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Numerous studies have investigated the use of plant oil to replace fish oil in the formulation of aqua-feeds; however, it is unknown, in general, whether the previously obtained lipid requirement concentrations based on fish oil require adjustments in view of the replacement of fish oil by plant oil. The present study tested the hypothesis that the appropriate dietary lipid concentration for gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio may change after fish oil is partially replaced by corn oil in the diet. Seven isonitrogenous diets were formulated using a mixture of fish oil and corn oil as the lipid source, with lipid concentrations ranging from 10 to 213gkg−1. A 70-day growing trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary lipid concentrations on the growth performance, fatty acid changes of the muscle/liver, and mRNA relative expression levels of genes involved in lipogenesis. The results showed that the specific growth rate (SGR) increased markedly with dietary lipid concentrations from 10 to 81gkg−1, then decreased and got a no statistical change in the 119 to 213gkg−1 groups. In the liver and muscle, 16:0 and 18:0 relative contents exhibited a quadratic regression trend associated with dietary lipid concentrations. MUFA content displayed a logarithmic decrease with increasing dietary lipid concentrations, but a logarithmic increase was observed for LC-PUFA content, with 18:2n−6 and 18:3n−3 contents increasing linearly with dietary lipid concentrations. In the liver, the relative mRNA expression levels of ACC1 and FAS decreased with increasing dietary lipid concentrations. In conclusion, based on a broken-line analysis of the SGR, the recommended dietary lipid concentration for juvenile gibel carp fed with an equal mixture of corn oil and fish oil was found to be 73.2gkg−1, which represented a 47.9% decrease compared to the value obtained using fish oil as the lipid source. Our results indicate that dietary lipid requirement for freshwater fish species might change markedly when fish oil is replaced by plant oil in the diets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Nutrient composition of R. amabilis from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau studied for 1st time. [•] Amino acid, fatty acid, mineral contents of Rubus amabilis were analyzed. [•] Results showed that leaves contain higher TAA than other plant parts. [•] High amounts of methionine are present in free and total amino acids. [•] The leaf contains 36.5% unsaturated fatty acids and linolenic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) induce hepatocyte cell death, wherein oxidative stress is mechanistically involved. Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is a master transcriptional regulator of cellular antioxidant defense enzymes. Therefore, Nrf2 activation is regarded as an effective strategy against oxidative stress-triggered cellular damage. In this study, tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), a widely used Nrf2 activator, was initially employed to investigate the potential protective role of Nrf2 activation in SFA-induced hepatoxicity. As expected, SFA-induced hepatocyte cell death was prevented by tBHQ in both AML-12 mouse hepatocytes and HepG2 human hepatoma cells. However, the protective effect of tBHQ is Nrf2-independent, because the siRNA-mediated Nrf2 silencing did not abrogate tBHQ-conferred protection. Alternatively, our results revealed that autophagy activation was critically involved in the protective effect of tBHQ on lipotoxicity. tBHQ induced autophagy activation and autophagy inhibitors abolished tBHQ's protection. The induction of autophagy by tBHQ exposure was demonstrated by the increased accumulation of LC3 puncta, LC3-II conversion, and autophagic flux (LC3-II conversion in the presence of proteolysis inhibitors). Subsequent mechanistic investigation discovered that tBHQ exposure activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and siRNA-mediated AMPK gene silencing abolished tBHQ-induced autophagy activation, indicating that AMPK is critically involved in tBHQ-triggered autophagy induction. Furthermore, our study provided evidence that tBHQ-induced autophagy activation is required for its Nrf2-activating property. Collectively, our data uncover a novel mechanism for tBHQ in protecting hepatocytes against SFA-induced lipotoxicity. tBHQ-triggered autophagy induction contributes not only to its hepatoprotective effect, but also to its Nrf2-activating property. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim: Primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) undergo dedifferentiation upon the two-dimensional (2D) culture, which particularly hinders their utility in long-term in vitro studies. Lipids, as a major class of biomolecules, play crucial roles in cellular energy storage, structure, and signaling. Here, for the first time, we mapped the alterations in the lipid profile of the dedifferentiating PHHs and studied the possible role of lipids in the loss of the phenotype of PHHs. Simultaneously, differentially expressed miRNAs associated with changes in the lipids and fatty acids (FAs) of the dedifferentiating PHHs were investigated. Methods: PHHs were cultured in monolayer and their phenotype was monitored morphologically, genetically, and biochemically for five days. The lipid and miRNA profile of the PHHs were analyzed by mass spectrometry and Agilent microarray, respectively. In addition, 24 key genes involved in the metabolism of lipids and FAs were investigated by qPCR. Results: The typical morphology of PHHs was lost from day 3 onward. Additionally, ALB and CYP genes were downregulated in the cultured PHHs. Lipidomics revealed a clear increase in the saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) containing lipids, but a decrease in the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) containing lipids during the dedifferentiation of PHHs. In line with this, FASN, SCD, ELOVL1, ELOVL3, and ELOVL7 were upregulated but ELOVL2 was downregulated in the dedifferentiated PHHs. Furthermore, differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, and the constantly upregulated miR-27a and miR-21, and downregulated miR-30 may have regulated the synthesis, accumulation and secretion of PHH lipids during the dedifferentiation. Conclusion: Our results showed major alterations in the molecular lipid species profiles, lipid-metabolizing enzyme expression as wells as miRNA profiles of the PHHs during their prolonged culture, which in concert could play important roles in the PHHs' loss of phenotype. These findings promote the understanding from the dedifferentiation process and could help in developing optimal culture conditions, which better meet the needs of the PHHs and support their original phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]