Comparison of the effects of 3 kinds of oils rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on glycolipid metabolism and lipoprotein subfractions

Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids(ω-3 PUFAs)can be classifi ed into animal-and plant-derivedω-3 PUFAs.Patients with type 2 diabetes(T2DM)are frequently accompanied by dyslipidemia,which is closely related to the high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C)subfractions change.This study aimed to determine the effects of different sourcesω-3 PUFAs on glucolipid metabolism and lipoprotein subfractions in T2DM with dyslipidemia.Ninety T2DM patients with dyslipidemia were randomly assigned to take 3 g/day fi sh oil(FO,containing eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA)and docosahexaenoic acid(DHA)),3 g/day perilla oil(PO,containingα-linolenic acid(ALA)),or 3 g/day blend oil(BO,containing EPA,DHA and ALA)for 3 months.90 patients completed the intervention.There was a significant reduction of glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)in all the groups.The triglycerides(TG)in the FO group were signifi cantly different with a group×time interaction(P=0.043),which was higher compared with the other two groups.The serum small HDL-C subfractions in the PO group was higher and the serum large HDL-C subfractions in the PO group was lower than those in the BO and FO groups.Plant-derivedω-3 PUFAs are more effective at controlling blood glucose than animal-derivedω-3 PUFAs.However,animal-derivedω-3 PUFAs have a signifi cant lowering effect on TG compared with plant-derivedω-3 PUFAs.Particularly,large HDL-C subfractions after animal-derivedω-3 PUFAs intake were higher than plant-derivedω-3 PUFAs intake;while small HDL-C subfractions were lower.Both the animal-and plant-derivedω-3 PUFAs have practical value in improving glucose and lipids metabolism in T2DM patients with dyslipidemia.

Different n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios affect postprandial metabolism in normal and hypertriglyceridemic rats

Postprandial metabolism plays major roles in many pathological conditions.The n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA)ratio is closely related to various physiological disorders.This study aimed to investigate the effects of high fat meals with different n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios on postprandial metabolism in normal control(NC)and hypertriglyceridemia(HTG)rats.The postprandial response of triglyceride(TG)in HTG groups was higher than that in NC groups after different n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio meals.The HTG groups showed higher postprandial total cholesterol(TC)responses than NC groups after 1:1 and 20:1 ratio meals.The 5:1 n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio elicited lower postprandial responses of tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α)than 1:1 and 10:1 ratios in HTG groups.The postprandial malondialdehyde(MDA)response was lower after a 5:1 n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio meal than 1:1 and 20:1 ratio meals in HTG groups.The 1:1 ratio resulted in a lower postprandial reactive oxygen species(ROS)level than 5:1 and 10:1 n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios in NC groups.The results showed that a low n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio improved postprandial dysmetabolism induced by a high fat meal in NC and HTG rats.A high n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio increased the difference in postprandial metabolism between NC and HTG rats.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids promote liver regeneration after 90% hepatectomy in rats

AIM:To evaluate the effectiveness of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid(ω-3 PUFA) administration on liver regeneration after 90% partial hepatectomy(PH) in rats.METHODS:ω-3 PUFAs were intravenously injected in the ω-3 PUFA group before PH surgery.PH,sparing only the caudate lobe,was performed in both the control and the ω-3 PUFA group.Survival rates,liver weight/body weight ratios,liver weights,HE staining,transmission electron microscope imaging,nuclearassociated antigen Ki-67,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and signal transduction were evaluated to analyze liver regeneration.RESULTS:All rats in the control group died within 30 h after hepatectomy.Survival rates in the ω-3 PUFA group were 20/20 at 30 h and 4/20 1 wk after PH.Liver weight/body weight ratios and liver weights increased significantly in the ω-3 PUFA group.The structure of sinusoidal endothelial cells and space of Disse was greatly restored in the ω-3 PUFA group compared to the control group after PH.In the ω-3 PUFA group,interleukin(IL)-4 and IL-10 levels were significantly increased whereas IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-levels were dramatically decreased.In addition,activation of protein kinase B(Akt) and of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway were identified at an earlier time after PH in the ω-3 PUFA group.CONCLUSION:Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may prevent acute liver failure and promote liver regeneration after 90% hepatectomy in rats.

Effects of dietary ratio of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on immunoglobulins, cytokines, fatty acid composition, and performance of lactating sows and suckling piglets

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary ratios of n-6：n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids （PUFA） on the performance of lactating sows and their piglets. Thirty pregnant Landrace sows were assigned to one of three treatments from d 108 of gestation until weaning （26-29 d） and were fed diets containing different ratios of n-6：n-3 PUFA including 3：1,9：1 and 13：1. The effects on sow and litter production traits were examined together with an assessment of sow body condition. No differences were detected among the treatments for the daily feed intake of sows or changes in sow weight and back-fat levels during lactation （P 〉 0.05）. Litter size at d 14 and d 21 were tended to increase in 3：1 treatment compared with 9：1 and 13：1 treatments （P 〈 0.10）. Litter weight gain （1.77 kg/d） from d 0 to d 14 was tended to increase in 9：1 groups compared with the other two treatments （P 〈 0.10）. A significant difference was observed for the content of a -linolenic acid, total n-3 PUFA, and the ratio of n-6：n-3 PUFA in the colostrum, milk, and piglets plasma （P 〈 0.01）. The effects of different ratios of n-6：n-3 PUFA in sow diets on colostrum, milk and piglet plasma immunoglobulin concentrations are studied. No difference was observed among treatments in the concentrations of IgM, and IgA in colostrum （P 〉 0.05）. A great significant difference for IgG concentration was observed among 3 group in colostrum. A great significant difference for IgA, and IgM （P〈 0.01） concentrations in piglet plasma at d14 and a significant difference for IgG（P 〈 0.05） was observed at d14. Furthermore, at d 21 of lactation, piglet plasma IgG and IgA concentration were greater in 3：1 compared with 13：1 group （P 〈 0.01）. In summary, the current study demonstrated that altering the ratio of n-6：n-3 PUFA in lactating sow diet had an effect on the immune component including immunoglobulin and cytokines, and it tended to increase the litter average daily gain and improve the immune status of piglets when dietary ratio of n-6：n-3 PUFA was 9：1.

Role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids,citrus pectin,and milk-derived exosomes on intestinal barrier integrity and immunity in animals

The gastrointestinal tract of livestock and poultry is prone to challenge by feedborne antigens,pathogens,and other stress factors in the farm environment.Excessive physiological inflammation and oxidative stress that arises firstly disrupts the intestinal epithelial barrier followed by other components of the gastrointestinal tract.In the present review,the interrelationship between intestinal barrier inflammation and oxidative stress that contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease was described.Further,the role of naturally existing immunomodulatory nutrients such as the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids,citrus pectin,and milk-derived exosomes in preventing intestinal barrier inflammation was discussed.Based on the existing evidence,the possible molecular mechanism of these bioactive nutrients in the intestinal barrier was outlined for application in animal diets.

Effects of the Ratio of n-6∶n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Maternal Diet on Immunoglobulins,Fatty Acid Composition,and Performance of Lactating Sows and Suckling Piglets under Conditions of Low Maternal Energy Intake

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different ratios of n-6 ∶ n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids （PUFA） in sow diets on the performance of lactating sows and their piglets at low digestible energy intakes. Twenty-one pregnant Landrace sows were assigned to one of three diets from day 108 of gestation until weaning （26 to 29 d） ,containing n-6∶n-3 PUFA ratios of 3 ∶1,8 ∶1 and 11 ∶1. The effects on sow and litter production traits and on sow body condition were examined. There were no differences among treatments in daily feed intakes or in changes in sow weight and back-fat levels during lactation. Litter size,litter weight at birth and weaning and litter average daily weight gain were also unaffected by treatment. As expected, large differences were observed in n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in the colostrum and plasma of sows and piglets （P 〈 0. 01） . The ratio of n6 ∶ n-3 PUFA the diet was positively correlated with those in colostrum,sow plasma and piglet plasma （R 2= 0. 55,0. 80 and 0. 80,respectively） . Sow plasma insulin and IGF-I levels at weaning were unaffected by the treatments. Plasma leptin （P 〈 0. 05） concentrations were increased in sows fed the diet with a n-6∶n-3 ratio of 8 ∶ 1. Immunoglobulin concentrations in colostrum were not altered by dietary treatment. Plasma IgG concentrations at d 14 were highest in piglets from sows fed the 8 ∶ 1 ratio of n-6∶n-3. Furthermore,this group had the highest IgA concentrations at day 21 of lactation compared with the other two groups （P 〈 0. 05） . In summary,our study demonstrated that at low digestible energy levels,altering the ratio of n-6 ∶ n-3 PUFA in the diets for lactating sows affected immune components and the fatty acid composition of lactating sows and their piglets. Further studies are needed to examine whether higher levels of fat supplementation than those used in the present study （1. 5%） can successfully enhance performance.

Antidiabetic Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: From Mechanism to Therapeutic Possibilities

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance caused by dysfunction of pancreatic β cells. Over the past few decades, epidemiological studies have suggested that dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid decrease the risk of metabolic diseases including DM. The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in treating DM have been partly revealed. In this review, the authors describe the antidiabetic effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and also discuss their possibilities as therapeutics for DM in the light of recent findings.

Effects of microalgal polyunsaturated fatty acid oil on body weight and lipid accumulation in the liver of C57BL/6 mice fed a high fat diet

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids （PUFAs）, which are abundant in marine fish oils, have recently received global attention for their prominent anti-obesogenic effects. Among PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid （EPA; 20：5n-3） and docosahexaenoic acid （DHA; 22：6n-3）, which are n-3 long-chain PUFAs widely referred to as omega-3 oils, were reported to prevent the development of obesity in rodents and humans. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-obesity effects of microalgal oil on high-fat induced obese C57BL/6 mice, compared with commercial omega-3 fish oil and vegetable corn oil. Microalgal oil is an inherent mixture of several PUFAs, including EPA, DHA and other fatty acids produced from a marine microalgal strain of Thraustochytriidae sp. derived mutant. It was found to contain more PUFAs （〉80%） and more omega-3 oils than commercial omega-3 fish oil （PUFAs 〉31%） and corn oil （PUFAs 59%）. All three types of oils induced weight loss in high-fat-induced obese mice, with the loss induced by microalgal oil being most significant at 9 weeks （10% reduction）. However, the oils tested did not improve blood lipid levels, although microalgal oil showed an apparent inhibitory effect on lipid accumulation in the liver. These findings may be attributed to the higher PUFA content, including omega-3 oils of microalgal oil than other oils. Collectively, these findings suggest that microalgal oil, derived from Thraustochytriidae sp. derived mutant, is a prominent candidate for replacement of omega-3 fish oils based on its apparent anti-obesity effect in vivo.

Beneficial n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels and n6:n3 ratios after 4-week EPA + DHA supplementation associated with reduced CRP: A pilot study in healthy young adults

Chronic systemic inflammation is associated with many conditions of aging such as atherosclerosis. Lowering high n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratios are commonly found in Western diets aids in preventing inflammatory-related diseases. However, it is not clear whether dietary interventions designed to alter n-6:n-3 PUFA ratios can reduce systemic inflammation in younger adults. Studies that evaluate PUFA intake often use subjective data from food frequency questionnaires or food records rather than more precise physiological measures of PUFAs (e.g. plasma levels). Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study that analyzed data from the experimental parent study of younger adults (n = 18), was to determine whether plasma PUFA levels were associated with levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory marker, and if supplementation with n-3 PUFAs was correlated with rising n-3 PUFA concentrations in plasma and decreasing n-6:n-3 ratios. In the parent study, participants received daily either placebo or n-3 PUFA softgels (1.6 g eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and 1.2 g docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]). EPA and DHA are the biologically active components in fish oil. Measures included blood for PUFA quantification at baseline and four weeks later, when blister wounds were created and wound fluid and saliva were collected. The saliva samples were used to measure CRP in the present study. We report that CRP was significantly and negatively correlated with total n-3 PUFAs (tau-β = ?0.373, p = 0.031) and positively correlated with n-6:n-3 ratios (tau-β = 0.320, p = 0.063). Those consuming EPA + DHA supplements had significantly higher concentrations of total n-3 PUFAs and significantly lower n-6:n-3 ratios (p The present study has shown that beneficial levels of n-3 PUFAs and n-6:n3 ratios were achieved with 4-weeks of EPA + DHA supplementation and were associated with reduced CRP in young adults. EPA + DHA supplementation for some young adults may help prevent inflammatory conditions later in life.

Meldonium-induced steatosis is associated with increased delta 6 desaturation and reduced elongation of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Background and objective Metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)is associated with abnormal lipid metabolism.Mitochondrial dysfunction is considered an important factor in the onset of MAFLD,whereas altered fatty acid composition has been linked to the severity of the disease.Tetradecylthioacetic acid(TTA),shown to induce mitochondrial proliferation and alter the fatty acid composition,was used to delay the accumulation of hepatic triacylglycerol.This study aimed to evaluate how impaired mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation affects fatty acid composition by incorporating meldonium into a high-carbohydrate diet.Methods C57BL/6 mice(n=40)were fed high-carbohydrate diets supplemented with meldonium,TTA,or a combination of meldonium and TTA for 21 days.Lipid levels were determined in liver samples,and fatty acid composition was measured in both liver and plasma samples.Additionally,desaturase and elongase activities were estimated.The hepatic activities and gene expression levels of enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism were measured in liver samples,whereas carnitines,their precursors,and acylcarnitines were measured in plasma samples.Results The meldonium-induced depletion of L-carnitine and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation was confirmed by reduced plasma levels of L-carnitine and acylcarnitines.Principal component analyses of the hepatic fatty acid composition revealed clustering dependent on meldonium and TTA.The meldonium-induced increase in hepatic triacylglycerol levels correlated negatively with estimated activities of elongases and was associated with higher estimated activities of delta-6 desaturase(D6D;C18:4n-3/C18:3n-3 and C18:3n-6/C18:2n-6),and increased circulating levels of C18:4n-3 and C18:3n-6(gamma-linolenic acid).TTA mitigated meldonium-induced triacylglycerol levels by 80%and attenuated the estimated D6D activities,and elongation of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFAs).TTA also attenuated the meldonium-mediated reduction of C24:1n-9(nervonic acid),possibly by stimulating Elovl5 and increased elongation of erucic acid(C22:1n-9)to nervonic acid.The hepatic levels of nervonic acid and the estimated activity of n-6 PUFA elongation correlated negatively with the hepatic triacylglycerol levels,while the estimated activities of D6D correlated positively.Conclusion Circulating levels of gamma-linolenic acid,along with reduced estimated elongation of n-6 PUFAs and D6D desaturation activities,were associated with hepatic triacylglycerol levels.

Association of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids with Sarcopenia in Liver Cirrhosis Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background and Aims:Sarcopenia is associated with the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Given their diverse physiological activities,we hypothesized that plasma fatty acids might influence the progression of sarcopenia.This study aimed to clarify the association between fatty acids and sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients with HCC.Methods:In this singlecenter retrospective study,we registered 516 cases and analyzed 414 cases of liver cirrhosis and HCC.The skeletal muscle mass index was measured using a transverse computed tomography scan image at the third lumbar vertebra.The cutoff value for sarcopenia followed the criteria set by the Japan Society of Hepatology.Fatty acid concentrations were measured by gas chromatography.Results:Fatty acid levels,particularly omega-3(n-3)polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA),were lower in patients with poor liver function(Child-Pugh grade B/C)and were negatively correlated with the albumin-bilirubin score(p<0.0001).The prognosis of HCC patients with low PUFA levels was significantly worse.Among the different fatty acid fractions,only n-3 PUFAs significantly correlated with skeletal muscle mass index(p=0.0026).In the multivariate analysis,the n-3 PUFA level was an independent variable associated with sarcopenia(p=0.0006).Conclusions:A low level of n-3 PUFAs was associated with sarcopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis and HCC.

Omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） has been recognized as a major health burden. It is the most important cause of chronic liver disease and a major in- dependent cardiovascular risk factor. Lacking a definite treatment for NAFLD, a specific diet and an increase in physical activity represent the most commonly used therapeutic approaches. In this review, major literature data about the use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty ac- ids （n-3 PUFAs） as a potential treatment of NAFLD have been described, n-3 PUFAs, besides having a beneficial impact on most of the cardio-metabolic risk factors （hy- pertension, hyperlipidemia, endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis） by regulating gene transcription factors [i.e., peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor （PPAR） cz, PPARy, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-i, carbohydrate responsive element-binding protein], im- pacts both lipid metabolism and on insulin sensitivity. In addition to an enhancement of hepatic beta oxidation and a decrease of the endogenous lipid production, n-3 PUFAs are able to determine a significant reduction of the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules （tumor necrosis factor-~ and interleukin-6） and of oxygen reac- tive species. Further strengthening the results of the in vitro studies, both animal models and human interven- tion trials, showed a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFAs on the severity of NAFLD as expressed by laboratory pa- rameters and imaging measurements. Despite available results provided encouraging data about the efficacy of n-3 PUFAs as a treatment of NAFLD in humans, well- designed randomized controlled trials of adequate size and duration, with histological endpoints, are needed to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of PUFA, as well as other therapies, for the treatment of NAFLD and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis patients. It is worthwhile to consider that n-3 PUFAs cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be derived from exogenous sources （fish oil, flaxseeds, olive oil） which are typical foods of the Mediterranean diet, known for its beneficial effects in preventing obesity, diabetes and, in turn, cardiovascular events. According to these data, it is important to consider that most of the beneficial effects of n-3 PUFAs can also be obtained by an equilibrate nutrition program.

Alterations of attention and impulsivity in the rat following a transgenerational decrease in dietary omega-3 fatty acids

Polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFAs),particularly the omega-3 PUFAs,are thought to be involved in neuronal processes,to play a role in neurodevelopmental disorders and to be important for the integrity of central nervous system functioning.The present study investigated the effects of nutritional omega-3 PUFAs on attentional functions and impulsive behavior in Wistar rats.For this purpose,female Wistar rats were fed an omega-3 deficient diet over several generations,and the dams of the seventh generation were randomly assigned to two diet groups and fed an omega-3 deficient or an omega-3 sufficient diet.In addition,a group of previously untreated dams was fed an omega-3 sufficient diet.The male offspring of these three diet groups were tested using an established paradigm for the assessment of attention and impulsive behavior,i.e.a modified version of the five-choice-serial-reaction-time task(5CSRTT).The present data show that the deficiency of omega-3 PUFAs over generations led to substantial changes in attentional processes and impulsive behaviors.The impairments associated with an omega-3 deficiency were partly corrected by treatment with the omega-3 sufficient diet in the last generation of the omega-3 deficient group which showed substantial improvements in attention parameters.While there were no significant effects of dietary modifications on psychomotor activity levels,there was some evidence for changes in impulsive behavior.In conclusion,transgenerational dietary changes in the availability of omega-3 PUFAs led to changes in attentional processes and impulsive behavior in rats,supporting the hypothesis that omega-3 PUFAs play a role in cognitive and behavioral processes.The present findings offer a promising approach in the investigation of the role of omega-3 PUFAs in a variety of cognitive and behavioral domains.

Development and Production of Omega-3 Fatty Acids-Enriched Foods is an Important Dietary Strategy to Improve People's Nutritional and Health Status

Both Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients important for cellular structure and function but cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be obtained from food.These two classes of fatty acids are metabolically and functionally different and antagonistically regulate many physiological and pathological processes.Thus,the relative balance between Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids are critical for good health.However,today’s diet contains too much Omega-6 but too little Omega-3,leading to a severe imbalance with a very high Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio(>10)in most people.Many lines of evidence suggest that this imbalance is a key factor contributing to the development of modern chronic diseases.A growing number of studies ranging from laboratory research to clinical trials have shown that balancing the tissue ratio of Omega-6/Omega-3 fatty acids by increasing tissue levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and/or decreasing the content of Omega-6 fatty acids are very beneficial for the prevention and treatment of many life-threating chronic diseases as well as for health promotion of the general public.Therefore,development and production of foods rich in Omega-3-fatty acids should be considered as a key health program to balance essential fat intake and thereby improve the nutritional and health status of all people.

Additive neurorestorative effects of exercise and docosahexaenoic acid intake in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease

There is a need to develop interventions to slow or reverse the degeneration of dopamine neurons in Parkinson’s disease after diagnosis.Given that preclinical and clinical studies suggest benefits of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids,such as docosahexaenoic acid,and exercise in Parkinson’s disease,we investigated whether both could synergistically interact to induce recovery of the dopaminergic pathway.First,mice received a unilateral stereotactic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the striatum to establish an animal model of nigrostriatal denervation.Four weeks after lesion,animals were fed a docosahexaenoic acid-enriched or a control diet for the next 8 weeks.During this period,the animals had access to a running wheel,which they could use or not.Docosahexaenoic acid treatment,voluntary exercise,or the combination of both had no effect on(i)distance traveled in the open field test,(ii)the percentage of contraversive rotations in the apomorphine-induction test or(iii)the number of tyrosine-hydroxylase-positive cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta.However,the docosahexaenoic acid diet increased the number of tyrosine-hydroxylase-positive terminals and induced a rise in dopamine concentrations in the lesioned striatum.Compared to docosahexaenoic acid treatment or exercise alone,the combination of docosahexaenoic acid and exercise(i)improved forelimb balance in the stepping test,(ii)decreased the striatal DOPAC/dopamine ratio and(iii)led to increased dopamine transporter levels in the lesioned striatum.The present results suggest that the combination of exercise and docosahexaenoic acid may act synergistically in the striatum of mice with a unilateral lesion of the dopaminergic system and provide support for clinical trials combining nutrition and physical exercise in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Fatty Acid Treatment with Pure Omega-3 Eicosapentaenoic Acid Ethyl Ester for Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases: Differences between Branded (EPADEL®) and Generic Products

Background: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have some protective benefits for patients with coronary artery and cerebrovascular diseases. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) drugs are prescribed as branded (B: EPADEL?) or generic products but no data exist concerning the differences in treatment outcomes between these products. Methods and Results: We investigated the differences in the serum levels of EPA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA), and the EPA/AA ratios through blood sampling six months after daily administration of 1800 mg of EPADEL? and a generic EPA drug was initiated for 96 patients with cardiovascular diseases. All patients received these PUFA treatments while continuing with baseline therapy. After 6 months of administration, EPADEL? produced better results than the generic (G) product (EPA;baseline: 59.4 ± 25.5 μg, B: 215.5 ± 58.8 μg, G: 199.7 ± 63.8 μg, B vs G, p < 0.0005;AA;baseline: 197.4 ± 44.6 μg, B: 158.3 ± 36.3 μg, G: 163.6 ± 38.9 μg, B vs G, p < 0.02, as mean ± SD). Conclusions: There were clear differences between EPA branded and the generic products. Further study is required to determine whether the benefits from the branded product justify the higher price compared to the generic drug cost.

体内ω-6 PUFAs与ω-3 PUFAs比例是影响ω-3 PUFAs发挥健康效应的重要因素

ω-3多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFAs)是人类重要的结构营养素和功能营养素,大量基础实验与人群研究已阐明其降脂、抗炎、防治心脑血管疾病、改善肿瘤微环境等作用。然而,随着ω-3 PUFAs人群干预试验的逐渐增多,部分研究并未发现该类显著效应。这种结果的不一致性阻碍了ω-3 PUFAs在更多医学指南中的应用,也限制了ω-3 PUFAs在临床诊疗和慢病管理中的推广。ω-6 PUFAs是另一类重要的多不饱和脂肪酸,但随着膳食结构的变迁,全球普遍存在ω-6 PUFAs摄入超标和ω-3 PUFAs摄入不足,进而导致体内ω-6与ω-3比例显著上升的问题。ω-6 PUFAs在体内与ω-3 PUFAs存在细胞膜结构占位竞争及代谢竞争的关系,高ω-6/ω-3比例可能会阻碍ω-3 PUFAs发挥其健康效应,并与众多慢病的发生、发展密切相关。本综述通过分析ω-3和ω-6 PUFAs在体内的交互作用及ω-6/ω-3比例对ω-3 PUFAs的影响,提出体内ω-6/ω-3比例是影响ω-3 PUFAs效应发挥的重要因素。同时,本文指出以往部分ω-3 PUFAs研究忽视了ω-6/ω-3比例这一重要指标,在研究终点时仍未恢复平衡的ω-6/ω-3比例可能是导致研究结果不一致的关键原因,提示尽快规范ω-3 PUFAs研究标准、将ω-6/ω-3比例纳入质控监测指标将有助于客观揭示ω-3 PUFAs的健康效应,并最终推动ω-3 PUFAs在慢病管理中的标准化应用。

n-6多不饱和脂肪酸生理功能及其在肉牛生产中的应用

n-6多不饱和脂肪酸是动物的必需脂肪酸,与机体脂代谢、免疫机能和繁殖性能密切相关。研究发现,饲粮补充n-6多不饱和脂肪酸不仅可促进母牛妊娠建立而提高受胎率,且有利于胎儿发育、子代健康和生长发育,并改善育肥牛生产性能和胴体品质。鉴于此,本文综述了n-6多不饱和脂肪酸的生理功能,并详细阐述其在肉牛生产中的应用,为生产上科学合理地应用n-6多不饱和脂肪酸改善肉牛繁殖机能、提升健康和生产性能提供理论基础。

Production of γ-linolenic acid and stearidonic acid by Synechococcus sp.PCC7002 containing cyanobacterial fatty acid desaturase genes

Genetic modifi cation is useful for improving the nutritional qualities of cyanobacteria. To increase the total unsaturated fatty acid content, along with the ratio of ω-3/ω-6 fatty acids, genetic engineering can be used to modify fatty acid metabolism. S ynechococcus sp. PCC7002, a fast-growing cyanobacterium, does not contain a Δ6 desaturase gene and is therefore unable to synthesize γ-linolenic acid(GLA) and stearidonic acid(SDA), which are important in human health. In this work, we constructed recombinant vectors Syd6 D, Syd15 D and Syd6Dd15 D to express the Δ15 desaturase and Δ6 desaturase genes from Synechocystis PCC6803 in Synechococcus sp. PCC7002, with the aim of expressing polyunsaturated fatty acids. Overexpression of the Δ15 desaturase gene in S ynechococcus resulted in 5.4 times greater accumulation of α-linolenic acid compared with the wild-type while Δ6 desaturase gene expression produced both GLA and SDA. Co-expression of the two genes resulted in low-level accumulation of GLA but much larger amounts of SDA, accounting for as much to 11.64% of the total fatty acid content.

Azacarbazole n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids ethyl esters nanoemulsion with enhanced efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum

Alternative therapies are necessary for the treatment of malaria due to emerging drug resistance.However,many promising antimalarial compounds have poor water solubility and suffer from the lack of suitable delivery systems,which seriously limits their activity.To address this problem,we synthesized a series of azacarbazoles that were evaluated for antimalarial activity against D10(chloroquine-sensitive)and W2(chloroquine-resistant)strains of P.falciparum.The most active compound,9H-3-azacarbazole(3),was encapsulated in a novel o/w nanoemulsion consisting of ethyl esters of polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 and n-6 obtained from flax oil as the oil phase,Smix(Tween 80 and Transcutol HP)and water.This formulation was further analyzed using transmission electron microscopy,dynamic light scattering and in vitro and in vivo studies.It was shown that droplets of the 3-loaded nanosystem were spherical,with satisfactory stability,without cytotoxicity towards fibroblasts and intestinal cell lines at concentrations corresponding to twice the IC50 for P.falciparum.Moreover,the nanoemulsion with this type of oil phase was internalized by Caco-2 cells.Additionally,pharmacokinetics demonstrated rapid absorption of compound 3(tmax=5.0 min)after intragastric administration of 3-encapsulated nanoemulsion at a dose of 0.02 mg/kg in mice,with penetration of compound 3 to deep compartments.The 3-encapsulated nanoemulsion was found to be 2.8 and 4.2 times more effective in inhibiting the D10 and W2 strains of the parasite,respectively,compared to non-encapsulated 3.Our findings support a role for novel o/w nanoemulsions as delivery vehicles for antimalarial drugs.