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.

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.

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.

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.

Novel Lipase from Golden Pompano(Trachinotus ovatus)Viscera:Purification,Characterization,and Application in the Concentrating of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Lipases have been widely applied in a variety of industrial fields,such as food,pharmaceuticals,biofuels,and biotechnology.Recent years have witnessed a great interest in modifying lipids for the production of triacylglycerols enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFAs).Here,a novel salt-tolerant,organic solvent-stable,and bile salt-activated lipase was purified from golden pompano(Trachinotus ovatus)viscera,which was named as golden pompano lipase(GPL).GPL had a specific activity of 57.2U mg^(-1)with an estimated molecular weight of 14 k Da,exhibited optimal activity at 40℃a nd pH 8.0,and showed K_(m)and V_(max)of 40.16μmol L^(-1)and 769.23μmol L^(-1)min^(-1),respectively.GPL activity was enhanced by Mn^(2+)and sodium deoxycholate.It was active in organic solvents,including methanol,ethanol,chloroform,and hexane.GPL also showed a good salinity tolerance of up to 1 mol L^(-1).n-3PUFA enrichment in the glyceride fraction of golden pompano oil was performed by GPL-catalyzed hydrolysis and yielded a total PUFA concentration of 56.99%.EPA,DHA,and DPA were enriched by 10.4-,3.2-,and 1.8-fold of their initial levels,respectively.This study recognized the industrial applicability of GPL to prepare enriched C_(20-22)n-3 PUFA.

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.

Anti-inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects of Marine n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Human Health and Diseases

The pharmaceutical effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids(n-3 PUFAs) as dietary nutrients on human health and diseases have gained much attention and are investigated for decades. Docosahexaenoic acid(DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) and docosapentaenoic acid(DPA) are the three major n-3 PUFAs enriched in marine organisms, such as fish, shrimp, algae, and so on. It has been well known that n-3 PUFAs, especially DHA and EPA, are beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests that n-3 PUFAs might cure inflammatory diseases through several mechanisms, such as plasma membrane remodeling of lymphocytes, down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, and alternating adhesion molecule expressions. Several molecular targets of n-3 PUFAs on immune-regulation have also been identified, such as GPR120(FFA4), protein kinase C(PKC), and PPAR-γ. However, it remains inconclusive if dietary n-3 PUFAs function the same both in vitro and in vivo based on cohort studies. This review will focus on the molecular targets and mechanisms of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of n-3 PUFAs on human health and diseases, such as obesity, tumor, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.

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.

The Efficacy of the Consumption of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for the Maintenance of Remission in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of the actual consuming n-3 PUFA for remission-maintenance in IBD patients. A questionnaire on the dietary habits of patients one month before hospitalization (Q1) was completed by 24 patients with IBD (10 ulcerative colitis (UC) subjects and 14 Crohn’s disease (CD) subjects) treated at our hospital. We educated the study subjects about an n-3 PUFA diet, and a follow-up survey (Q2) was conducted 6 to 12 months after discharge. Disease activity was evaluated using the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IOIBD) score and/or the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score for CD and the partial UCDAI score without endoscopic evaluation for UC. Q1 showed that the average n-3 and n-6 PUFA intakes were 1673 ± 1651 mg and 9146 ± 5217 mg, respectively, and the average n-3/n-6 ratio was 0.27 ± 0.31. In Q2, the intake of n-3 PUFA was significantly higher (3671 ± 1684 mg, p < 0.001), whereas the n-6 PUFA intake decreased significantly (5217 ± 1973 mg, p < 0.001) compared to those in Q1. As a consequence, the dietary n-3/ n-6 ratio was significantly increased (0.87 ± 0.60, p < 0.001). Maintenance of the remission rate was significantly higher in IBD patients who complied with the n-3 diet, and these patients maintained a dietary n-3/n-6 ratio of 0.432 or higher (17 of 23 cases;70.8%, p < 0.03) compared to that observed for IBD patients who did not comply with the diet. These results emphasize the importance of adjusting dietary PUFA and suggest that the n-3 diet may be effective in maintaining the remission of IBD.

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.

The Global Research Progress of Enzymatic Processing of Oils with Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

This paper has reviewed that Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), as an essential fatty acids (EFAs), mainly come from fish oil of marine products, has positive effects on treatment and/or prevention of several diseases. In this review, the recent developments by 2019 in the field of enzymatic modification of oils rich in omega 3 PUFAs have summarized. Several different products, such as structured lipids with a variety of FA compositions, nutritional aspects, omega 3 PUFA concentrates and phospholipids,have discussed from the point of process technology as well as possible applications. Enhancing omega 3 PUFA content in diet involves a number of strategies aiming to modify the content of such FAs in fats and oils. Due to the mild reaction conditions used, especially the lipase specificity, the position as well as content of omega 3 PUFAs in lipid molecules being of importance from the point of bioavailability, enzymatic processing of omega 3 PUFA oil is safe, efficient and preferred over chemical treatments.

A randomized controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids in dry eye syndrome

AIM:To evaluate the role of dietary supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids in dry eye syndrome.METHODS:A prospective,interventional,placebo controlled,double blind randomized trial was done at two referral eye centers.Two hundred and sixty-four eyes of patients with dry eye were randomized to receive one capsule(500mg)two times a day containing 325mg EPA and 175mg DHA for 3 months(omega-3 group).The omega-3 group was compared to a group of patients(n=254)who received a placebo(placebo group).There were 4 patient visits(at baseline,1 month,2 months and3 months).On each visit,recording of corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA),slit lamp examination and questionnaire based symptom evaluation and scoring was done.A symptomatic score of 0-6 was mild,6.1-12moderate and 12.1-18 severe dry eye.Response to intervention was monitored by routine tear function tests like Schirmer I test,tear film break-up time(TBUT),Rose Bengal staining and most notably,conjunctival impression cytology.RESULTS:Sixty-five percent of patients in the omega-3group and 33%of patients in placebo group had significant improvement in symptoms at 3 months(P=0.005).There was a significant change in both Schirmer’s test value and TBUT values in the omega-3group(P【0.001),both comparisons.However,there was a larger drift in TBUT values in omega-3 than the placebo group,in comparison to Schirmer’s test values.The mean TBUT score was 2.54±2.34 in the omega-3group and 0.13±0.16 in placebo group,respectively.The mean reduction in symptom score in omega-3 group was 2.02±0.96 as compared to 0.48±0.22 in placebogroup(P【0.001).Despite a slight increase mean score,the Schirmer scores did not correlate well with symptomatic improvement.CONCLUSION:Omega-3 fatty acids have a definite role for dry eye syndrome.The benefit seems to be more marked in conditions such as blepharitis and meibomian gland disease.The role of omega fatty acids in tear production and secretion needs further evaluation.

Dietary saturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid oppositely affect hepatic NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome through regulating nuclear factor-kappa B activation

AIM: To investigate the effect of different dietary fatty acids on hepatic inflammasome activation.METHODS: Wild-type C57BL/6 mice were fed either a high-fat diet or polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA)-enriched diet. Primary hepatocytes were treated with either saturated fatty acids(SFAs) or PUFAs as well as combined with lipopolysaccharide(LPS). The expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot. The activity of Caspase-1 and interleukine-1β production were measured.RESULTS: high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis was sufficient to induce and activate hepatic NLRP3 inflammasome. SFA palmitic acid(PA) directly activated NLRP3 inflammasome and increased sensitization to LPS-induced inflammasome activation in hepatocytes. In contrast, PUFA docosahexaenoic acid(Dh A) had thepotential to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome expression in hepatocytes and partly abolished LPS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Furthermore, a highfat diet increased but PUFA-enriched diet decreased sensitization to LPS-induced hepatic NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vivo. Moreover, PA increased but Dh A decreased phosphorylated NF-κB p65 protein expression in hepatocytes.CONCLUSION:Hepatic NLRP 3 inflammasome activation played an important role in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Dietary SFAs and PUFAs oppositely regulated the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome through direct activation or inhibition of NF-κB.

Effect of ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid on Toll-like Receptors in Patients with Severe Multiple Trauma

This study examined the effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid（ω-3PUFA） on the expression of toll-like receptor 2（TLR2）,toll-like receptor 4（TLR4） and some related inflammatory factors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells（PBMCs） of patients with early-stage severe multiple trauma.Thirty-two patients who were admitted to the Department of Traumatic Surgery,Tongji Hospital（Wuhan,China） between May 2010 and November 2010,and diagnosed as having severe multiple trauma with a injury severity score（ISS） no less than 16,were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups at random（n=16 in each）：ω-3PUFA group and control group in which routine parenteral nutrition supplemented with ω-3PUFA or not was administered to the patients in two groups for consecutive 7 days.Peripheral blood from these patients was collected within 2 h of admission（day 0）,and 1,3,5 and 7 days after the nutritional support.PBMCs were isolated and used for detection of the mRNA and protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 by using real-time PCR and flow cytometry respectively,the levels of NF-κB by quantum dots-based immunofluorescence assay,the levels of TNF-α,IL-2,IL-6 and COX-2 by ELISA,respectively.The results showed that the mRNA and protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in PBMCs was significantly lower in ω-3PUFA group than in control group 5 and 7 days after nutrition support（both P0.05）.The levels of TNF-α,IL-2,IL-6 and COX-2 were found to be substantially decreased in PBMCs in ω-3PUFA group as compared with control group at 5th and 7th day（P0.05 for all）.It was concluded that ω-3PUFA can remarkably decrease the expression of TLR2,TLR4 and some related inflammatory factors in NF-κB signaling pathway in PBMCs of patients with severe multiple trauma,which suggests that ω-3PUFA may suppress the excessive inflammatory response meditated by the TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathway.

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 independent 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 acids(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(hypertension,hyperlipidemia,endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis) by regulating gene transcription factors [i.e.,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR),PPAR,sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1,carbohydrate responsive element-binding protein],impacts 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 reactive species.Further strengthening the results of the in vitro studies,both animal models and human intervention trials,showed a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFAs on the severity of NAFLD as expressed by laboratory parameters and imaging measurements.Despite available results provided encouraging data about the efficacy of n-3 PUFAs as a treatment of NAFLD in humans,welldesigned 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.

Role of perinatal long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in cortical circuit maturation:Mechanisms and implications for psychopathology

Accumulating translational evidence suggests that the long-chain omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid(DHA) plays a role in the maturation and stability of cortical circuits that are impaired in different recurrent psychiatric disorders. Specifically, rodent and cell culture studies find that DHA preferentially accumulates in synaptic and growth cone membranes and promotes neurite outgrowth, dendritic spine stability, and synaptogenesis. Additional evidence suggests that DHA may play a role in microglia-mediated synaptic pruning, as well as myelin development and resilience. In nonhuman primates n-3 fatty acid insufficiency during perinatal development leads to widespread deficits in functional connectivity in adult frontal cortical networks compared to primates raised on DHA-fortified diet. Preterm delivery in non-human primates and humans is associated with early deficits in cortical DHA accrual. Human preterm birth is associated with longstanding deficits in myelin integrity and cortical circuit connectivity and increased risk for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD), mood, and psychotic disorders. In general, ADHD and mood and psychotic disorders initially emerge during rapid periods of cortical circuit maturation and are characterized by DHA deficits, myelin pathology, and impaired cortical circuit connectivity. Together these associations suggest that early and uncorrected deficits in fetal brain DHA accrual may represent a modifiable risk factor for cortical circuit maturation deficits in psychiatric disorders, and could therefore have significant implications for informing early intervention and prevention strategies.

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.

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.

Omega-3 fatty acids and mental health

Nutrition plays a key role in brain development,mental health,and psychiatric disorders.The role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in physical health is well established,and their role in mental health is becoming increasingly evident.Omega-3 fatty acids are involved in a wide range of physiological functions that are related to neurogenesis,neurotransmission,and neuroinflammation;therefore,they play fundamental roles in the development,functioning,and aging of the brain.In humans,dietary deficiencies of omega-3 fatty acids are associated with an increased risk of developing various psychiatric disorders,including depression,bipolar disorder,schizophrenia,dementia,attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,and autism.In particular,eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid have been linked to the maintenance of mental health,and their deficits have been implicated in the pathophysiology of mental disorders.This may be mediated by the modulation of inflammatory processes and their direct effects on neuronal membrane fluidity and receptor function.However,randomized clinical trials that have investigated the therapeutic effects of omega-3 fatty acids have yielded inconclusive results,thereby limiting the use of these nutrients in psychiatric practice.High-quality clinical trials should be conducted to examine the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in preventing and treating mental disorders.The undesirable side effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation should also be considered.These effects may become apparent after many years of administration,and therefore,they may not be detected in most cases.

Combined Add-on Supplementation of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Copper, and Selenium in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objectives: The present study evaluated the effects of a combined nutritional supplement, containing omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FA) and different antioxidative micronutrients on nutrient status and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: The study was conducted as a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial. A hundred patients with defined RA were allocated to the verum or placebo group. During a period of twelve weeks they were given three capsules of their specific study supplementation every day. The daily dosage of ω-3 FA was 1.35 g (thereof 900 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA), 90 mg vitamin E, 600 μg vitamin A, 3 mg copper, and 75 μg selenium, or soy oil (placebo), respectively. Outcome variables were the changes in DAS 28, the number of tender and swollen joints, morning stiffness, and supply with different nutrients (e.g. serum concentration of EPA, AA and vitamin E), as well as blood lipid levels. Results: Sixty-four participants were included in this analysis: 30 receiving verum and 34 placebo. After twelve weeks of intervention, little but not significant improvements were observed in the DAS 28 and other clinical factors. Subgroup analysis revealed that the effect was much more pronounced in patients who were at least at a moderate activity of illness. Regarding the nutritional status, the serum concentration of EPA (P < 0.001), vitamin E (P < 0.01), SOD (P < 0.05), and GPx (P < 0.001) increased significantly, while AA (P < 0.001) decreased after supplementation. The concentration of triglycerides decreased significantly in the verum group (P < 0.05) but not in the placebo group. Conclusions: A twelve week add-on supplementation of a combined food supplement (ω-3 FA + antioxidants) effected modest but not significant changes in the clinical parameters in RA. Though vitamin E, SOD and GPx improved significantly, equivalent to an increased antioxidant defence. This supplementation was dedicated to enhance the nutritional status of critical nutrients in RA, especially with regard to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in these patients.