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 definit...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.展开更多
The growth, reproductive properties and the variations in total lipids and fatty acids in the gonads and muscle tissue of the mantis shrimp Squilla mantis (Crustacea: Stomatopoda) caught from the gulf of Gabes in T...The growth, reproductive properties and the variations in total lipids and fatty acids in the gonads and muscle tissue of the mantis shrimp Squilla mantis (Crustacea: Stomatopoda) caught from the gulf of Gabes in Tunisia were studied by sampling carried out between Jan. 2005 and Dec. 2006 to elucidate the importance of these components during sexual maturation. A total of 16,569 specimens were examined. The sex of this species was determined macroscopically and the proportion of females (47.07%) was significantly lower than that of males (52.93%) with a ratio of 1 :l. 12 (male^female). The mean total lengths (TL) of the male and female individuals were 142.02 ~: 22.76 mm and 141.45 + 24.37 mm, respectively. Length-weight (TL-W) relationship was estimated as W = 7 ~ l06 TL3 o644 for females and W = 4 ~ 10"6 TL320o7 for males, being altometrically positive for both sexes. The reproductive season, evaluated from the gonado-somatic index (GS1), extended from Dec. to July, with a peak in Feb.. The smallest mature female was 93 mm total length. Fifty percent of the females were mature at 147.19 mm total length. The levels of lipid displayed pronounced seasonal fluctuations with the highest value in Feb. and the lowest value in Oct.. Major fatty acids in both gonads and muscle tissue (female and male) were C 14:0, C 16:0, C 18:0, C 18: I n-9, C 18:2n-6, C 18:3n-3, C20:4n-6, C20:5n-3 and C22:6n-3. Significant increases in the levels of saturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acids were observed in gonads. The levels of n-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly C20:5n-3, decreased in gonads as ovarian development proceeded. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), linoleic acid (LA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the muscle tissue for both male and female. The highest percentages for EPA and DHA were found in winter and summer season for Squilla mantis in the Gulf of Gabes. The n-3/n-6 ratio fatty acids ratio in Squilla mantis can be significantly influenced by spawning and season. It was conchtded that the mantis shrimp is a healthy item in the human diet during the winter and summer period when balanced n-3/n-6 ratios and EPA and DHA levels are considered.展开更多
文摘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.
文摘The growth, reproductive properties and the variations in total lipids and fatty acids in the gonads and muscle tissue of the mantis shrimp Squilla mantis (Crustacea: Stomatopoda) caught from the gulf of Gabes in Tunisia were studied by sampling carried out between Jan. 2005 and Dec. 2006 to elucidate the importance of these components during sexual maturation. A total of 16,569 specimens were examined. The sex of this species was determined macroscopically and the proportion of females (47.07%) was significantly lower than that of males (52.93%) with a ratio of 1 :l. 12 (male^female). The mean total lengths (TL) of the male and female individuals were 142.02 ~: 22.76 mm and 141.45 + 24.37 mm, respectively. Length-weight (TL-W) relationship was estimated as W = 7 ~ l06 TL3 o644 for females and W = 4 ~ 10"6 TL320o7 for males, being altometrically positive for both sexes. The reproductive season, evaluated from the gonado-somatic index (GS1), extended from Dec. to July, with a peak in Feb.. The smallest mature female was 93 mm total length. Fifty percent of the females were mature at 147.19 mm total length. The levels of lipid displayed pronounced seasonal fluctuations with the highest value in Feb. and the lowest value in Oct.. Major fatty acids in both gonads and muscle tissue (female and male) were C 14:0, C 16:0, C 18:0, C 18: I n-9, C 18:2n-6, C 18:3n-3, C20:4n-6, C20:5n-3 and C22:6n-3. Significant increases in the levels of saturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acids were observed in gonads. The levels of n-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly C20:5n-3, decreased in gonads as ovarian development proceeded. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), linoleic acid (LA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the muscle tissue for both male and female. The highest percentages for EPA and DHA were found in winter and summer season for Squilla mantis in the Gulf of Gabes. The n-3/n-6 ratio fatty acids ratio in Squilla mantis can be significantly influenced by spawning and season. It was conchtded that the mantis shrimp is a healthy item in the human diet during the winter and summer period when balanced n-3/n-6 ratios and EPA and DHA levels are considered.