Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acid-Derived Oxylipins from the Lipoxygenase Pathway in Maternal and Umbilical Cord Plasma at Delivery and Their Relationship with Infant Growth.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are important for neonatal development and health. One mechanism by which omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids exert their effects is through their metabolism into oxylipins and specialized pro-resolving mediators. However, the influence of oxylipins on fetal growth is not well understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify oxylipins present in maternal and umbilical cord plasma and investigate their relationship with infant growth. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify oxylipin levels in plasma collected at the time of delivery. Spearman's correlations highlighted significant correlations between metabolite levels and infant growth. They were then adjusted for maternal obesity (normal body mass index (BMI: ≤30 kg/m2) vs. obese BMI (>30 kg/m2) and smoking status (never vs. current/former smoker) using linear regression modeling. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Our study demonstrated a diverse panel of oxylipins from the lipoxygenase pathway present at the time of delivery. In addition, both omega-3 and omega-6 oxylipins demonstrated potential influences on the birth length and weight percentiles. The oxylipins present during pregnancy may influence fetal growth and development, suggesting potential metabolites to be used as biomarkers for infant outcomes.

Concentrations of fat-soluble nutrients and blood inflammatory compounds in mother-infant dyads at birth.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal inflammation adversely affects health. Therefore, aims of this IRB-approved study are: (1) compare inflammatory compounds within and between maternal and umbilical cord blood samples at the time of delivery, (2) assess relationships between inflammatory compounds in maternal and cord blood with birth characteristics/outcomes, and (3) assess relationships between blood and placental fat-soluble nutrients with blood levels of individual inflammatory compounds. METHODS: Mother-infant dyads were enrolled (n = 152) for collection of birth data and biological samples of maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, and placental tissue. Nutrient levels included: lutein + zeaxanthin; lycopene; α-, ß-carotene; ß-cryptoxanthin; retinol; α-, γ-, δ-tocopherol. Inflammatory compounds included: tumor necrosis factor-α, superoxide dismutase, interleukins (IL) 1ß, 2, 6, 8, 10. RESULTS: Median inflammatory compound levels were 1.2-2.3 times higher in cord vs. maternal blood, except IL2 (1.3 times lower). Multiple significant correlations existed between maternal vs. infant inflammatory compounds (range of r = 0.22-0.48). While relationships existed with blood nutrient levels, the most significant were identified in placenta where all nutrients (except δ-tocopherol) exhibited relationships with inflammatory compounds. Relationships between anti-inflammatory nutrients and proinflammatory compounds were primarily inverse. CONCLUSION: Inflammation is strongly correlated between mother-infant dyads. Fat-soluble nutrients have relationships with inflammatory compounds, suggesting nutrition is a modifiable factor. IMPACT: Mother and newborn inflammation status are strongly interrelated. Levels of fat-soluble nutrients in blood, but especially placenta, are associated with blood levels of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory compounds in both mother and newborn infant. As fat-soluble nutrient levels are associated with blood inflammatory compounds, nutrition is a modifiable factor to modulate inflammation and improve perinatal outcomes.

Association of Dietary Fiber on Asthma, Respiratory Symptoms, and Inflammation in the Adult National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Population.

Rationale: High intake of dietary fiber may have antiinflammatory properties and be protective against respiratory morbidity.Objectives: We examined the relationship between dietary fiber intake and asthma, respiratory symptoms, and inflammation among adults who participated in the 2007 to 2012 NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey).Methods: We analyzed data from adults 20 to 79 years of age (n = 13,147) with complete information on fiber intake, total calorie intake, body mass index, smoking status, and poverty level. Fiber intake was categorized into quartiles, with Q1 being lowest quartile of intake and Q4 being the highest quartile. Respiratory morbidities included asthma, wheeze, cough, and phlegm. Self-report questionnaires were used to define asthma, wheeze, cough, and phlegm production. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was used as a biomarker of inflammation. Exclusion criteria included current pregnancy and implausible intake of total calories.Results: A total of 69.5% of participants were non-Hispanic white; 54.5% were nonsmokers, and 7.8% had current asthma. After adjusting for covariates, fiber intake was associated with asthma (P = 0.01), with an increased odds of asthma with lower fiber intake (Q1 vs. Q4: odds ratio [OR], 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-1.8; P = 0.027). There were significant interactions between fiber and sex and fiber and race/ethnicity; stronger associations were seen for women and for non-Hispanic white adults. Low fiber intake (Q1) was associated with increased odds of wheeze (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0-1.6; P = 0.018), cough (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.3; P = 0.002), and phlegm (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-2.0; P = 0.021) compared with high fiber intake. The odds of having high CRP versus nondetectable CRP were 1.6 times higher in the low-fiber group (Q1) compared with high-fiber group (Q4; OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.0-2.5).Conclusions: High-fiber diet may mediate an inflammatory response and decrease odds of having asthma, especially for women and specific racial groups, cough, wheeze, and phlegm production when compared with low-fiber diet.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid-Derived Resolvin D2 Regulates Human Placental Vascular Smooth Muscle and Extravillous Trophoblast Activities.

Omega-3 fatty acids are important to pregnancy and neonatal development and health. One mechanism by which omega-3 fatty acids exert their protective effects is through serving as substrates for the generation of specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPM) that potently limit and resolve inflammatory processes. We recently identified that SPM levels are increased in maternal blood at delivery as compared to umbilical cord blood, suggesting the placenta as a potential site of action for maternal SPM. To explore this hypothesis, we obtained human placental samples and stained for the SPM resolvin D2 (RvD2) receptor GPR18 via immunohistochemistry. In so doing, we identified GPR18 expression in placental vascular smooth muscle and extravillous trophoblasts of the placental tissues. Using in vitro culturing, we confirmed expression of GPR18 in these cell types and further identified that stimulation with RvD2 led to significantly altered responsiveness (cytoskeletal changes and pro-inflammatory cytokine production) to lipopolysaccharide inflammatory stimulation in human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells and placental trophoblasts. Taken together, these findings establish a role for SPM actions in human placental tissue.

Insufficient zinc intake enhances lung inflammation in response to agricultural organic dust exposure.

Organic dust exposure particularly within hog confinement facilities is a significant cause of airway inflammation and lung disease. In a cohort of Midwestern veterans with COPD and agricultural work exposure we observed reduced zinc intakes which were associated with decreased lung function. Because insufficient zinc intake is common within the U.S. and a potent modulator of innate immune function, we sought to determine whether deficits in zinc intake would impact the airway inflammatory response to hog confinement facility dust extract (HDE). Adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomized to zinc deficient or matched zinc sufficient diets for 3 weeks and subsequently treated with intranasal HDE inhalation or saline once or daily for 3 weeks while maintained on specific diets. Lavage fluid and lung tissue was collected. Conditions of zinc deficiency were also studied in macrophages exposed to HDE. Single and repetitive HDE inhalation exposure resulted in increased influx of total cells and neutrophils, increased mediator hyper-responsiveness (TNFα, IL-6, CXCL1, and amphiregulin), and enhanced tissue pathology that was more pronounced in zinc deficient mice compared to normal dietary counterparts. Airway inflammation was most pronounced in zinc deficient mice treated with repetitive HDE for 3 weeks. Similarly, macrophages maintained in a zinc deficient environment exhibited increased CXCL1 and IL-23 production as a result of increased NF-κB activation. Conclusion: Given the relatively high incidence of dietary deficiencies in agriculture workers, we anticipate that zinc intake, or a lack thereof, may play an important role in modulating the host response to organic dust exposure.

Omega-3 fatty acid intake and prevalent respiratory symptoms among U.S. adults with COPD.

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and derivatives, play a key role in the resolution of inflammation. Higher intake has been linked to decreased morbidity in several diseases, though effects on respiratory diseases like COPD are understudied. METHODS: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), with a focus on dietary assessment, provides a unique opportunity to explore relationships between omega-3 intake and morbidity in respiratory diseases marked by inflammation in the United States (US) population. We investigated relationships between ALA or EPA + DHA intake and respiratory symptoms among US adults with COPD, as well as variation in relationships based on personal characteristics or exposures. RESULTS: Of 878 participants, mean age was 60.6 years, 48% were current smokers, and 68% completed high school. Omega-3 intake was, 1.71 ± 0.89 g (ALA), and 0.11 ± 0.21 g (EPA + DHA). Logistic regression models, adjusting for age, gender, race, body mass index, FEV1, education, smoking status, pack-years, total caloric intake, and omega-6 (linoleic acid, LA) intake demonstrated no primary associations between omega-3 intake and respiratory symptoms. Interaction terms were used to determine potential modification of relationships by personal characteristics (race, gender, education) or exposures (LA intake, smoking status), demonstrating that at lower levels of LA intake, increasing ALA intake was associated with reduced odds of chronic cough (pint = 0.015) and wheeze (pint = 0.037). EPA + DHA, but not ALA, was associated with reduced symptoms only among current smokers who did not complete high school. CONCLUSIONS: Individual factors should be taken into consideration when studying the association of fatty acid intake on respiratory diseases, as differential responses may reveal susceptible subgroups.

A Qualitative Study of Experiences of Participants in Cardiac Rehabilitation.

PURPOSE: Maintenance of lifestyle changes after cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is suboptimal. In addition, partners of cardiac patients are invited to participate in CR educational sessions and implicitly expected to assist patients with their lifestyle changes. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine patient and partner perceptions of phase 2 CR 3 mo after completion of the program. METHODS: A purposive sample of 11 couples (patients post-heart surgery and their spouses) was interviewed following completion of CR. Semistructured, in-person interviews were conducted with patients and spouses separately. Data were analyzed using line-by-line coding to identify themes. RESULTS: Themes were identified in relation to program elements of CR. Exercise themes were as follows: (1) benefitted from exercise and (2) felt held back. Education themes were as follows: (1) received basic education and (2) needed more personalized information. CR environment themes were as follows: (1) developed confidence; (2) made social comparisons; and (3) helped to have partner there. CONCLUSION: Overall, participant perceptions of exercise, education, and the CR environment were very positive. Nevertheless, there is a need to improve educational efforts within CR to rely less on "canned" presentations and more on participants developing their own self-management methods to maintain a healthy lifestyle after CR.