Docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, and neural tube defects in Tunisian population.

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

APOE genotype, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) supplementation and n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) levels in patients with multiple colorectal polyps: A secondary analysis of the seAFOod polyp prevention trial.

INTRODUCTION: We examined the relationship between Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) levels in participants of the seAFOod trial, who were undergoing colonoscopy surveillance after removal of colorectal polyps. METHODS: Baseline and on-treatment (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] 2 g daily or placebo for 6 months) levels of n-3 HUFAs, and plasma 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (HEPE), were analysed according to APOE genotype (based on polymorphisms rs429358 and rs7412) in 584 participants. RESULTS: Before treatment, APOE2/2 individuals had lower levels, and APOE4/4 participants had higher levels, of n-3 HUFAs, including EPA, than APOE3/3 counterparts (P < 0.01 for the APOE2/2 versus APOE4/4 comparison). After EPA supplementation, n-3 HUFA levels were not significantly different when stratified by APOE genotype, although APOE4 carriers displayed lower plasma 18-HEPE levels than individuals without an APOE4 allele (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: APOE genotype is associated with differential n-3 HUFA and 18-HEPE levels in individuals with multiple colorectal polyps.

Association of serum fatty acid pattern with depression in U.S. adults: analysis of NHANES 2011-2012.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to different concentration levels of fatty acids (FAs) may have an impact on depression. However, previous studies using individual FAs may not reflect the performance of mixtures of various FAs, and the associations of FA patterns with depression remain unclear. METHODS: We conducted the cross-sectional analysis in 792 adults aged 18 and older with available serum FAs and depression screening data in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012. The serum concentrations of thirty FAs were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and their percentage compositions were subsequently calculated. Depression was defined as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥ 10. We employed principal component analysis to derive serum FA patterns. We examined the association between these patterns and depression in the overall population and various subgroups through survey-weighted logistic regression. RESULTS: Four distinct patterns of serum FAs were identified: 'high eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); low docosatetraenoic acid (DTA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) n-6', 'high long-chain saturated FA and long chain FA', 'low median-chain saturated FA and myristoleic acid' and 'low capric acid and lauric acid; high gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and stearidonic acid (SDA)' pattern. Individuals in the high tertile of 'high EPA and DHA; low DTA and DPA n-6' pattern score had 0.46 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.93) lower odds of developing depression compared to individuals in the lowest tertile after adjusting for confounders such as age, sex, physical activity and total energy intake, etc. The odds ratio (OR) of depression was increased in the population with the highest tertile of 'low capric acid and lauric acid; high GLA and SDA' pattern (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.24, 4.83). In subgroup analyses, we observed that the association between 'high EPA and DHA; low DTA and DPA n-6' and depression persisted among specific demographic and lifestyle subgroups, including females, non-Mexican Americans, non-obese, those aged over 60 years, smokers and drinkers. Similarly, 'low capric acid and lauric acid; high GLA and SDA' showed stable associations in female, non-Mexican Americans and smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Serum FA patterns are associated with depression, and their relationships vary across sex, race, BMI, age, smoking and drinking subgroups, highlighting the importance of considering specific FA patterns within these demographic and lifestyle categories. Utilization of combined FA administration may serve as a mitigation measure against depression in these specific populations.

Eicosapentaenoic Acid and the Outcomes in Older Patients Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Ablation.

BACKGROUND: A lower serum eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to arachidonic acid (AA) ratio (EPA/AA) level correlates with cardiovascular events. Nevertheless, elevated serum EPA levels increase the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in older patients. The relationship between the EPA/AA and outcomes post-AF ablation remains unclear. This study investigated the impact of the EPA/AA on AF recurrence and cardiovascular events after AF ablation in older patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: This retrospective cohort study examined consecutive patients with AF aged ≥65 years who underwent a first-time AF ablation. We compared the 3-year AF recurrence and 5-year major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) rates between patients divided into high and low EPA/AA levels defined as above and below the median EPA/AA value before ablation. MACE was defined as heart failure hospitalizations, strokes, coronary artery disease, major bleeding, and cardiovascular death. Among the 673 included patients, the median EPA/AA value was 0.35. Compared with the low EPA/AA group, the high EPA/AA group had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of AF recurrence (39.3% versus 27.6%; log-rank P=0.004) and lower cumulative incidence of MACE (13.8% versus 25.5%, log-rank P=0.021). A high EPA/AA level was determined as an independent predictor of AF recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 1.75 95% CI, 1.24-2.49; P=0.002) and MACE (HR, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.36-0.99]; P=0.046). CONCLUSIONS: The EPA/AA was associated with AF recurrence and MACE after ablation in patients with AF aged ≥65 years.

Synbiotic Bacillus megaterium DSM 32963 and n-3 PUFA Salt Composition Elevates Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediator Levels in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Beneficial health effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are partly attributed to specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), which promote inflammation resolution. Strategies to improve n-3 PUFA conversion to SPMs may, therefore, be useful to treat or prevent chronic inflammatory disorders. Here, we explored a synbiotic strategy to increase circulating SPM precursor levels. Healthy participants (n = 72) received either SynΩ3 (250 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) lysine salts; two billion CFU Bacillus megaterium; n = 23), placebo (n = 24), or fish oil (300 mg EPA plus DHA; N = 25) capsules daily for 28 days in a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled parallel 3-group design. Biomarkers were assessed at baseline and after 2 and 28 days of intervention. The primary analysis involved the comparison between SynΩ3 and placebo. In addition, SynΩ3 was compared to fish oil. The synbiotic SynΩ3 comprising Bacillus megaterium DSM 32963 and n-3 PUFA salts significantly increased circulating SPM precursor levels, including 18-hydroxy-eicosapentaenoic acid (18-HEPE) plus 5-HEPE, which was not achieved to this extent by fish oil with a similar n-3 PUFA content. Omega-3 indices were increased slightly by both SynΩ3 and fish oil. These findings suggest reconsidering conventional n-3 PUFA supplementation and testing the effectiveness of SynΩ3 particularly in conditions related to inflammation.

Omega-3 fatty acids and major depression: a Mendelian randomization study.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been implicated in the aetiology of depressive disorders, though trials supplementing omega-3 to prevent major depressive disorder (MDD) have so far been unsuccessful. Whether this association is causal remains unclear. We used two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate causality. Genetic variants associated with circulating omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in UK Biobank (UKBB, n = 115,078) were selected as exposures. The Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of MDD (n = 430,775; cases = 116,209; controls = 314,566) and recurrent depression (rMDD, n = 80,933; cases = 17,451; controls = 62,482), were used as outcomes. Multivariable MR (MVMR) models were used to account for biologically correlated lipids, such as high- and low-density cholesterol and triglycerides, and to explore the relative importance of longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) using data from the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE, n = 8866). Genetic colocalization analyses were used to explore the presence of a shared underlying causal variant between traits. Genetically predicted total omega-3 fatty acids reduced the odds of MDD (ORIVW 0.96 per standard deviation (SD, i.e. 0.22 mmol/l) (95% CIs 0.93-0.98, p = 0.003)). The largest point estimates were observed for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid (OREPA 0.92; 95% CI 0.88-0.96; p = 0.0002). The effect of omega-3 fatty acids was robust to MVMR models accounting for biologically correlated lipids. 'Leave-one-out' analyses highlighted the FADS gene cluster as a key driver of the effect. Colocalization analyses suggested a shared causal variant using the primary outcome sample, but genomic confounding could not be fully excluded. This study supports a role for omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, in the aetiology of depression, although pleiotropic mechanisms cannot be ruled out. The findings support guidelines highlighting the importance of EPA dose and ratio for MDD and question whether targeted interventions may be superior to universal prevention trials, as modest effect sizes will limit statistical power.

Daily Consumption of α-Linolenic Acid Increases Conversion Efficiency to Eicosapentaenoic Acid in Mice.

To maintain a beneficial concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the efficient conversion of its precursor, α-linolenic acid (α-LA), is important. Here, we studied the conversion of α-LA to EPA using ICR and C57BL/6 mice. A single dose of perilla oil rich-in α-LA or free α-LA had not been converted to EPA 18 h following administration. The α-LA was absorbed into the circulation, and its concentration peaked 6 h after administration, after which it rapidly decreased. In contrast, EPA administration was followed by an increase in circulating EPA concentration, but this did not decrease between 6 and 18 h, indicating that the clearance of EPA is slower than that of α-LA. After ≥1 week perilla oil intake, the circulating EPA concentration was >20 times higher than that of the control group which consumed olive oil, indicating that daily consumption, but not a single dose, of α-LA-rich oil might help preserve the physiologic EPA concentration. The consumption of high concentrations of perilla oil for 4 weeks also increased the hepatic expression of Elovl5, which is involved in fatty acid elongation; however, further studies are needed to characterize the relationship between the expression of this gene and the conversion of α-LA to EPA.

The severity of COVID-19 upon hospital admission is associated with plasma omega-3 fatty acids.

Fatty acids are precursors of inflammatory oxylipins. In the context of COVID-19, an excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines is associated with disease severity. The objective was to investigate whether the baseline omega 3/omega 6 fatty acids ratio and the oxylipins were associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in unvaccinated patients with COVID-19, classified according to the severity of the disease during hospitalization. This Prospective population-based cohort study included 180 hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The patients were classified into five groups according to the severity of their disease. Group 1 was the least severe and Group 5 was the most severe. Three specific types of fatty acids-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (AA)-as well as their enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxylipins were determined using chromatography coupled mass spectrometry. There was no difference in the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids between the groups (p = 0.276). However, the EPA/AA ratio was lower in Group 4 compared to Group 1 (p = 0.015). This finding was associated with an increase in both C-Reactive Protein (p < 0.001) and Interleukin-6 (p = 0.002). Furthermore, the concentration of F2-Isoprostanes was higher in Group 4 than in Group 1 (p = 0.009), while no significant changes were observed for other oxylipins among groups. Multivariate analysis did not present any standard of biomarkers, suggesting the high complexity of factors involved in the disease severity. Our hypothesis was confirmed in terms of EPA/AA ratio. A higher EPA/AA ratio upon hospital admission was found to be associated with lower concentration of C-Reactive Protein and Interleukin-6, leading to a better prognosis of hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 patients. Importantly, this beneficial outcome was achieved without any form of supplementation. The trial also provides important information that can be further applied to reduce the severity of infections associated with an uncontrolled synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines.Trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04449718 -01/06/2020. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04449718.

Omega-3 Status Evaluation in Australian Female Rugby League Athletes: Ad Libitum Fish Oil Provision Results in a Varied Omega-3 Index.

Optimal omega-3 status, influenced by increased intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is vital for physiological health. This study investigated the impact of ad libitum fish oil supplementation on the omega-3 status of female athletes in a professional rugby league team during a competitive season. Twenty-four (n = 24) athletes participated, and their omega-3 status was assessed using the Omega-3 Index (O3I) and arachidonic acid (AA) to EPA ratio through finger-prick blood samples taken at the start and end of the season. They were given access to a fish oil supplement (PILLAR Performance, Australia) with a recommended daily dose of four capsules per day (2,160 mg EPA and 1,440 mg docosahexaenoic acid). At the beginning of the season, the group mean O3I was 4.77% (95% confidence interval [CI: 4.50, 5.04]) and the AA to EPA ratio was 14.89 (95% CI [13.22, 16.55]). None of the athletes had an O3I exceeding 8%. By the season's end, the O3I was a significantly increased to 7.28% (95% CI [6.64, 7.93], p < .0001) and AA to EPA ratio significantly decreased to a mean of 6.67 (95% CI [5.02, 8.31], p < .0001), driven primarily by the significant increase in EPA of +1.14% (95% CI [0.77, 1.51], p < .0001). However, these changes were varied between the athletes and most likely due to compliance. This study has demonstrated that using the objective O3I feedback scale is possible with elite female rugby athletes, but individual strategies will be required to achieve daily intake targets of EPA + DHA.

Joint effects of one year of marine omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and participant dietary fish intake upon circulating lipid mediators of inflammation resolution in a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the joint effects of omega (n)-3 fatty acid supplementation and dietary fish intake on systemic lipid mediators of inflammation among adults. METHODS: Within VITAL, a double-blind randomized controlled trial, adults were randomized to ω-3 fatty acids (460 mg EPA + 380 mg DHA/d) or placebo. We selected participants who reported low (<1 serving/mo) baseline dietary fish intake and matched them by age, sex, race, and trial arm to participants with self-reported highest fish intake (≥3.9 servings/wk). Baseline and 1-y plasma samples were tested for 9 ω-3 fatty acid-derived lipid mediators. Multivariable linear models assessed lipid mediator changes and joint effects of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation and dietary fish intake. RESULTS: Forty-eight participants with low baseline fish intake were matched to 48 with high fish intake. Mean age was 64.6 (±7.26), 50% were female, and 85% non-Hispanic white. One-year lipid mediator changes in expected directions were observed in those receiving ω-3 fatty acids versus placebo: reductions in proinflammatory mediators, PGD2, 5-HETE, and 12-HETE; increases in proresolving mediators, EPA and DHA. Larger 1-y lipid biomarker changes were seen in those with low baseline fish intake randomized to active ω-3 fatty acids for DHA, EPA, PGD2, Resolvin D1, and Resolvin D4 were observed, although no significant multiplicative interactions were detected. DISCUSSION: Beneficial changes in circulating proresolving and proinflammatory mediators were found with 1-y of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation versus placebo for all participants, with a trend toward larger effects among those with low baseline fish intake, although interactions were not significant.

Sex, Body Mass Index, and APOE4 Increase Plasma Phospholipid-Eicosapentaenoic Acid Response During an ω-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation: A Secondary Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The brain is concentrated with omega (ω)-3 (n-3) fatty acids (FAs), and these FAs must come from the plasma pool. The 2 main ω-3 FAs, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), must be in the form of nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) or esterified within phospholipids (PLs) to reach the brain. We hypothesized that the plasma concentrations of these ω-3 FAs can be modulated by sex, body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), age, and the presence of the apolipoprotein (APO) E-ε4 allele in response to the supplementation. OBJECTIVES: This secondary analysis aimed to determine the concentration of EPA and DHA within plasma PL and in the NEFA form after an ω-3 FA or a placebo supplementation and to investigate whether the factors change the response to the supplement. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Participants were randomly assigned to either an ω-3 FA supplement (DHA 0.8 g and EPA 1.7 g daily) or to a placebo for 6 mo. FAs from fasting plasma samples were extracted and subsequently separated into PLs with esterified FAs and NEFAs using solid-phase extraction. DHA and EPA concentrations in plasma PLs and as NEFAs were quantified using gas chromatography. RESULTS: EPA and DHA concentrations in the NEFA pool significantly increased by 31%-71% and 42%-82%, respectively, after 1 and 6 mo of ω-3 FA supplementation. No factors influenced plasma DHA and EPA responses in the NEFA pool. In the plasma PL pool, DHA increased by 83%-109% and EPA by 387%-463% after 1 and 6 mo of ω-3 FA supplementation. APOE4 carriers, females, and individuals with a BMI of ≤25 had higher EPA concentrations than noncarriers, males, and those with a BMI of >25, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The concentration of EPA in plasma PLs are modulated by APOE4, sex, and BMI. These factors should be considered when designing clinical trials involving ω-3 FA supplementation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01625195.

Adiposity associates with lower plasma resolvin E1 (Rve1): a population study.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate inflammation resolution may contribute to persistent low-grade inflammation that accompanies many chronic conditions. Resolution of inflammation is an active process driven by Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators (SPM) that derive from long chain n-3 and n-6 fatty acids. This study examined plasma SPM in relation to sex differences, lifestyle and a broad range cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in 978, 27-year olds from the Australian Raine Study. METHODS: Plasma SPM pathway intermediates (18-HEPE, 17-HDHA and 14-HDHA), and SPM (E- and D-series resolvins, PD1, MaR1) and LTB4 were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LCMSMS). Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses assessed relationships between SPM and CVD risk factors. Unpaired t-tests or ANOVA assessed the effect of sex, smoking, unhealthy alcohol consumption and obesity on SPM. RESULTS: Women had higher 17-HDHA (p = 0.01) and lower RvE1 (p < 0.0001) and RvD1 (p = 0.05) levels compared with men. In univariate analysis, obesity associated with lower RvE1 (p = 0.002), whereas smoking (p < 0.001) and higher alcohol consumption (p < 0.001) associated with increased RvE1. In multiple regression analysis, plasma RvE1 was negatively associated with a range of measures of adiposity including BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, abdominal subcutaneous fat volume, and skinfold thicknesses in both men and women. CONCLUSION: This population study suggests that a deficiency in plasma RvE1 may occur in response to increasing adiposity. This observation could be relevant to ongoing inflammation that associates with CVD and other chronic diseases.

Essential Fatty Acids and Osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation worsens joint destruction in osteoarthritis (OA) and aggravates pain. Although n-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, different n-3 fatty acids have different effects on inflammation and clinical outcomes, with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) having the strongest effect. We examined whether specific essential fatty acid levels affected the development of OA. METHODS: We studied participants from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) at risk of developing knee OA. As part of MOST, participants were asked repeatedly about knee pain, and knee radiographs and magnetic resonance images (MRIs) were obtained. Using baseline fasting samples, we analyzed serum fatty acids with standard assays. After excluding participants with baseline OA, we defined two sets of cases based on their status through 60 months' follow-up: those developing incident radiographic OA and those developing incident symptomatic OA (knee pain and radiographic OA). Controls did not develop these outcomes. Additionally, we examined worsening of MRI cartilage damage and synovitis and worsening knee pain and evaluated the number of hand joints affected by nodules. In regression models, we tested the association of each OA outcome with levels of specific n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, education, physical activity, race, baseline pain, smoking, statin use, and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: We studied 363 cases with incident symptomatic knee OA and 295 with incident radiographic knee OA. The mean age was 62 years (59% women). We found no associations of specific n-3 fatty acid levels, including EPA, or of n-6 fatty acid levels with incident OA (eg, for incident symptomatic knee OA, the odds ratio per SD increase in EPA was 1.0 [95% confidence interval 0.87-1.17]). Results for other OA outcomes also failed to suggest a protective effect of specific n-3 fatty acids with OA outcomes. CONCLUSION: We found no association of serum levels of EPA or of other specific n-3 fatty acids or n-6 fatty acids with risk of incident knee OA or other OA outcomes.

Role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in Japanese patients with coronary spastic angina.

BACKGROUND: n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease. However, there are few reports of a relationship between n-3 PUFAs and coronary spastic angina (CSA). This study aimed to assess the age-dependent role of serum levels of fatty acid in patients with CSA. METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled 406 patients who underwent ergonovine tolerance test (ETT) during coronary angiography for evaluation of CSA. All ETT-positive subjects were diagnosed as having CSA. We categorized the patients by age and results of ETT as follows: (1) young (age ≤ 65 years) CSA-positive (n = 32), (2) young CSA-negative (n = 134), (3) elderly (age > 66 years) CSA-positive (n = 36), and (4) elderly CSA-negative (n = 204) groups. We evaluated the serum levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid, and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid. In the young groups, the serum levels of EPA (64.3 ±â€¯37.7 µg/mL vs. 49.4 ±â€¯28.8 µg/mL, p = 0.015) and DHA (135.7 ±â€¯47.6 µg/mL vs. 117.4 ±â€¯37.6 µg/mL, p = 0.020) were significantly higher in the CSA-positive group than in the CSA-negative group, respectively. However, this was not the case with elderly groups. In the multivariate analysis in young groups, the serum levels of EPA (p = 0.028) and DHA (p = 0.049) were independently associated with the presence of CSA, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that the higher serum levels of EPA and/or DHA might be involved in the pathophysiology of CSA in the young population but not in the elderly population.

The influence of a basic military training diet on whole blood fatty acid profile and the Omega-3 Index of Australian Army recruits.

This study described the whole blood fatty acid profile and Omega-3 Index (O3I) of Australian Army recruits at the commencement and completion of basic military training (BMT). Eighty males (17-34 y, 77.4 ± 13.0 kg, 43.5 ± 4.3 mL/kg/min) and 37 females (17-45 y, 64.3 ± 8.8 kg, 39.3 ± 2.7 mL/kg/min) volunteered to participate (N = 117). Whole blood samples of each recruit were collected using a finger prick in weeks 1 and 11 (n = 82) and analysed via gas chromatography for the relative proportions of each fatty acid (mean [95% confidence interval]). The macronutrient characteristics of the diet offerings was also determined. At commencement there was a low omega-3 status (sum of omega-3; 4.95% [4.82-5.07]) and O3I (5.03% [4.90-5.16]) and no recruit recorded an O3I >8% (desirable). The omega-6/omega-3 (7.04 [6.85-7.23]) and arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid (AA/EPA) (18.70 [17.86-19.53]) ratios for the cohort were also undesirable. The BMT mess menu provided a maximum of 190 mg/day of EPA and 260 mg/day of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The O3I of the recruits was lower by week 11 (4.62% [4.51-4.78], p < 0.05), the omega-6/omega-3 increased (7.27 [7.07-7.47], p < 0.05) and the AA/EPA remained elevated (17.85 [16.89-18.81]). In conclusion, Australian Army recruits' omega-3 status remained undesirable during BMT and deserves nutritional attention. Novelty: Australian Army recruits' Omega-3 Index, at the commencement of BMT, was reflective of the Western-style diet. The BMT diet offered minimum opportunity for daily EPA and DHA consumption. Every recruit experienced a further reduction of their Omega-3 Index during BMT.

Specialized Proresolving Mediators in Symptomatic Women With Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction (from the Women's Ischemia Trial to Reduce Events in Nonobstructive CAD [WARRIOR] Trial).

Resolvins and maresins, members of the specialized proresolving mediator (SPM) family, are omega-3 fatty acid-derived lipid mediators that attenuate inflammation. We hypothesized that they play a role in the pathophysiology of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in women with ischemia and no obstructive coronary disease. In a pilot study, we measured the D-series resolvins (D1, D2, D3, and D5), resolvin E1, maresin 1, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (precursor of resolvin E1), and 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid by mass spectrometry in the peripheral blood of 31 women enrolled in the Women's Ischemia Trial to Reduce Events in Nonobstructive CAD (WARRIOR) trial who had confirmed CMD assessed by coronary flow reserve. We compared SPM levels with 12 gender and age-matched reference subjects. Compared with the reference subject group, those with CMD had significantly lower plasma concentrations of resolvin D1 and maresin 1 and significantly higher levels of docosahexaenoic acid and 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid. In conclusion, insufficient or ineffective SPM production may play a role in the pathophysiology of CMD. If our results are validated in a larger cohort, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation could be tested as a novel treatment for these patients.

Omega-3 index is directly associated with a healthy red blood cell distribution width.

Low red blood cell (RBC) membrane content of EPA and DHA, i.e., the omega-3 index (O3I), and elevated RBC distribution width (RDW) are risk factors for all-cause mortality. O3I and RDW are related with membrane fluidity and deformability. Our objective was to determine if there is a relationship between O3I and RDW in healthy adults. Subjects without inflammation or anemia, and with values for O3I, RDW, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), body mass index (BMI), age and sex were identified (n = 25,485) from a clinical laboratory dataset of  > 45,000 individuals. RDW was inversely associated with O3I in both sexes before and after (both p < 0.00001) adjusting models for sex, age, BMI and CRP. Stratification by sex revealed a sex-O3I interaction with the RDW-O3I slope (p < 0.00066) being especially steep in females with O3I ≤ 5.6%. In healthy adults of both sexes, the data suggested that an O3I of > 5.6% may help maintain normal RBC structural and functional integrity.

Translating n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid status from whole blood to plasma and red blood cells during pregnancy: Translating n-3 status across blood fractions in pregnancy.

Women with low n-3 (omega-3) status in pregnancy can reduce their risk of early preterm birth (<34 weeks' gestation) through n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) supplementation. As investigators measure fatty acid status in different blood fractions, equations are needed to compare results across studies. Similarly, derived cut-points for defining low and replete n-3 status are needed to assist clinical interpretation during early pregnancy. Our aims were to develop equations to convert the percentage of total n-3 fatty acids, EPA+DHA and DHA between whole blood, plasma and red blood cells (RBC), and to derive cut-points for defining low and replete total n-3 fatty acid status in plasma and RBC from those already established in whole blood. Using blood samples from 457 pregnant women in a multicentre randomised controlled trial, equations for these interconversions were developed using simple linear regression models. Measures of n-3 fatty acid status in whole blood and plasma were strongly related (R2 > 0.85), while more moderate relationships were observed between measures in whole blood and RBC (R2 0.55 - 0.71), or plasma and RBC (R2 0.55 - 0.63). Using the conversion equations, established cut-points for low and replete n-3 status in whole blood (<4.2% and >4.9% of total fatty acids) converted to <3.7% and >4.3% of plasma total fatty acids, and to <7.3% and >8.1% of RBC total fatty acids. Agreement to define low and replete n-3 status was better between whole blood and plasma, rather than between whole blood and RBC. Our data also show that total n-3 fatty acids in plasma and serum are interchangeable. We conclude that either whole blood or plasma total n-3 fatty acids can be used to define low status in pregnancy and identify women who will most benefit from n-3 LCPUFA supplementation to reduce their risk of early birth. Further research is needed to determine the clinical utility of other fatty acid measures in various blood lipid fractions.

Low LXA4, RvD1 and RvE1 levels may be an indicator of the development of hypertension.

Vascular structure and integrity are at the forefront of blood pressure regulation. However, there are many factors that affect the responses of the vessels. One of these is the inflammatory processes associated with high cholesterol and its modification. 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) is the critical enzyme in cholesterol oxidation, but this enzyme is also responsible for the synthesis of specialized proresoving lipid mediators (SPMs) called Lipoxin (Lxs) and Resolvin (Rvs). In this study, we determined serum LXA4, RvD1 and RvE1 levels in newly diagnosed hypertension (HT) and normotension (NT) cases. We evaluated how the presence of hypercholesterolemia (HC) in the follow-up changes the levels of these SPMs. We found that the three SPMs we measured decreased significantly in the presence of HC. In addition, we found a negative and significant correlation with systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol levels for the three SPMs. In conclusion, HT and HC are independent risk factors for cardiovascular death. However, the presence of HC may be an important factor for the development of HT. Increasing cholesterol levels may cause 15-LOX to shift towards LDL oxidation, thus leading to inflammation. This situation may negatively affect the vascular functions in the regulation of blood pressure. Serum LXA4, RvD1 and RvE1 measurements may provide clues that represent a shift of 15-LOX enzyme activity towards cholesterol.