Differential Effects of n-3 and n-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Placental and Embryonic Growth and Development in Diabetic Pregnant Mice.

The present study aimed to investigate the differential effects of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on placental and embryonic development. Pregnant mice were assigned to five groups: healthy control (HC), diabetes mellitus control (DMC), diabetes + low-dose n-3 PUFA (Ln-3), diabetes + high-dose n-3 PUFA (Hn-3), and diabetes + n-6 PUFA (n-6). On E12.5d, the Hn-3 group, but not the n-6 group, had a higher placenta weight. The weight ratio of embryo to placenta in the n-6 group was significantly lower than in the Hn-3 group but higher than in the DMC group. The Hn-3 group had significantly higher protein levels of VEGF, IGF-1, and IGFBP3, while the n-6 group had lower VEGF than the DMC group. Compared with the DMC group, embryonic Cer-16:0 was significantly higher in the Hn-3 group, while embryonic PC (36:6), PC (38:7), and PE (40:7) were significantly lower in the n-6 group. The embryo and placenta weights were positively correlated with placental VEGF, IGFBP3, and embryonic Cer-16:0, and they were negatively correlated with embryonic PC (36:6) and PE (40:7). The weight ratio of embryo to placenta was negatively correlated with embryonic PC (36:6). In addition, embryonic Cer-16:0 was positively correlated with placental VEGF and IGFBP3. In conclusion, n-3 PUFA and n-6 PUFA improved placental and embryonic growth through different mechanisms.

Mussel oil is superior to fish oil in preventing atherosclerosis of ApoE-/- mice.

Objectives: The present study aimed to explore the preventive effect of mussel oil (MO) on atherosclerosis and the potential mechanism in apolipoprotein E-null (ApoE-/-) mice. Methods: ApoE-/- mice were fed with a high-fat and high-cholesterol chow and given corn oil (CO), fish oil (FO), MO, or aspirin (ASP, dissolved in CO) by gavage for 12 weeks. The total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in MO (51.01%) and FO (46.82%) were comparable (mainly C22:6n-3 and C20:5n-3). Wild-type mice were fed with a normal chow and given equivalent CO as health control (CON). Results: Compared with the CON group, obvious atherosclerotic plaque appeared at aorta and aortic sinus in the CO group. Compared with the CO group, MO but not FO had a significantly smaller atherosclerotic plaque area in the aorta. The aortic atherosclerotic plaque area was comparable in the MO, CON, and ASP groups. The MO group had a significantly smaller atherosclerotic plaque area, lower lipid deposition, lower contents of smooth muscle cell (SMC), and slightly lower contents of macrophage at the aortic sinus than the FO group. Serum concentrations of IL-1ß, NF-κB, and VCAM-1 were comparable in the MO and FO groups and were significantly lower than the CO group. Compared with the CO group, the MO group but not FO group had significantly lower aortic protein levels of p65NF-κB, p38MAPK, and VCAM-1. The aortic protein levels of p-p65NF-κB and p-p38MAPK were significantly lower in the MO group than the FO group. Conclusion: In conclusion, MO is more potent than FO in preventing atherosclerosis, and the possible mechanism may be by downregulating p38MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway, decreasing VCAM-1 and macrophage, and inhibiting proliferation and migration of SMC.

[Adsorption Mechanism for Phosphate in Aqueous Solutions of Calcium/Aluminum-rich Sludge Biochar Composite].

Excess sludge is rich in organic matter but also contains heavy metals, pathogens, and harmful substances. In this study, hydroaluminite and excess sludge were used as raw materials to reduce the risk of heavy metals leaching from sludge by coagulation and co-pyrolysis, and its phosphate adsorption characteristics were studied. The results showed that the leaching amount of Zn, Cu, Cd, and Ni in sludge biochar decreased with the increase in the hydroaluminite dosage. The sludge biochar composite (1:1HB800), prepared by co-pyrolysis of hydroaluminite and excess sludge with a mass ratio of 1:1 as well as rich in calcium and aluminum, had lowest leaching risk of heavy metals and showed the high adsorption capacity for phosphate. The process could be fitted by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm (R2=0.93), and the maximum phosphate adsorption capacity at 25℃ was 51.38 mg·g-1. The pseudo second-order kinetic model could well describe the adsorption process of 1:1HB800 for high concentration phosphate, and its adsorption rate was controlled by both surface adsorption and particle diffusion. Compared with that in the neutral solution, 1:1HB800 had better phosphate capacity in the acidic and alkaline aqueous solutions, which was related to the leaching amount of calcium/aluminum in 1:1HB800 and the existence form of aluminum under the different pH conditions. FTIR, XRD, SEM, zero potential point, and Ca2+/Al3+ leaching experiments indicated that the main adsorption mechanisms for phosphate by 1:1HB800 were co-precipitation (interaction between Ca2+/Al3+ and phosphate), ligand exchange (hydroxyl), and electrostatic interaction. Therefore, 1:1HB800 can provide a feasible alternative for the removal of phosphate in aqueous solutions and also provide a potential new method for the resource utilization and harmless treatment of excess sludge.

The preventive effect of mussel oil on gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnant mice fed by a high-fat and high-sucrose diet.

The present study aimed to investigate the preventive effect of mussel oil (MO) on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in mice fed by a high-fat and high-sucrose (HFHS) diet. Pregnant mice were allocated to four groups: normal diet + corn oil (CO), HFHS + CO, HFHS + fish oil (FO), and HFHS + MO. The total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in MO (51.30%) and FO (48.25%) were comparable (mainly C22:6n-3 and C20:5n-3). HFHS + MO and HHFS + FO had a significantly lower area under the curve (AUC) for the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) than the HFHS + CO group. The HFHS + MO group but not HFHS + FO group had a significantly lower AUC for the insulin tolerance test (ITT) than the HFHS + CO group. The HFHS + MO group had significantly lower homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fasting serum insulin than the HHFS + FO and HFHS + CO groups. Liver sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) was significantly higher, while SphK2, Akt, and P-Akt were significantly lower in the HFHS + CO group compared with the normal diet + CO group. The HFHS + MO group but not the HFHS + FO group had significantly higher SphK2, Akt, and P-Akt than the HFHS + CO group. SphK2 had a strong negative correlation with the AUC for the OGTT (r = -0.759, p = 0.001) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) (r = -0.637; p = 0.008), fasting serum insulin (r = -0.594, p = 0.015), fasting blood glucose (r = -0.587, p = 0.017) and HOMA-IR (r = -0.629, p = 0.009) and a strong positive correlation with Akt (r = 0.594, p = 0.015) and P-Akt (r = 0.676, p = 0.004). In conclusion, mussel oil improved glucose intolerance and insulin resistance during mice pregnancy, which was superior to the effects of fish oil.

Lipid extract from blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) improves glycemic traits in Chinese type 2 diabetic mellitus patients: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that blue mussel lipid extract (BMLE) has strong anti-inflammatory activity in both rheumatoid arthritis patients and animal arthritis models. Chronic inflammation was closely related to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Though the beneficial effects cannot be completely attributed to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, the aim of this study was to investigate whether BMLE can improve glycemic traits of T2DM patients. METHOD: In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 133 Chinese T2DM participants were randomized to either fish oil (FO, n = 44), BMLE (n = 44), or corn oil (CO, n = 45) groups for 60 days. The participants were asked to take the corresponding oil capsules (two capsules per day, 0.8 g per capsule), which provided 1.6 g day-1 of FO (29.9% eicosapentaenoic acid + 20.4% docosahexaenoic acid), BMLE (20.7% eicosapentaenoic acid + 26.7% docosahexaenoic acid), or CO (53.5% linoleic acid). RESULTS: The fasting serum concentration of insulin (P = 0.005) and the homeostasis model of insulin resistance (P = 0.026) were significantly decreased in the BMLE group, whereas no significant change was found in the FO or CO groups. There was no significant difference between groups on serum glycosylated hemoglobin. Tumor necrosis factor-α was significantly decreased in the BMLE group (P = 0.003), but not in the FO or CO groups. A significant decrease of interleukin-1ß was observed in the BMLE and CO groups (P = 0.004 and P = 0.011 respectively), but not in the FO group. The total cholesterol was significantly decreased in the BMLE and CO groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001 respectively), but not in the FO group. Triacylglycerol was significantly decreased in the BMLE group (P = 0.007), but not in the FO or CO groups. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower in the BMLE and CO groups than in the FO group (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Blue mussel lipid supplements improved glycemic traits, inflammatory cytokines, and lipids profile in Chinese T2DM patients (Chinese Clinical Trial Registration number: ChiCTR1900025617). © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Synergistic Effects of Folic Acid and n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid in Preventing Neural Tube Defects in Diabetic Mice.

The present study aimed to investigate whether a combination of folic acid (FA) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has a better preventive effect on maternal diabetes-induced neural tube defects (NTD) than FA alone. The experiment included five groups of pregnant mice: healthy control (HC), diabetes mellitus control (DMC), diabetes + n-3 PUFA (DMn-3), diabetes + FA (DMFA), and diabetes + FA + n-3 PUFA (DMFA + n-3). The incidence of NTD in DMFA + n-3 (1.04%) was significantly lower than that in DMFA (8.57%) and DMn-3 (7.82%). The incidence of NTD in DMFA and DMn-3 was significantly lower than that in DMC (19.41%). DMFA + n-3 had a lower apoptosis of neuroepithelial cells, a lower expression of P53 and Bax, and a higher expression of Pax3 and Bcl-2, compared with DMFA and DMn-3. Combination of FA and n-3 PUFA attenuated diabetes-induced hypermethylation of Pax3, overexpression and overactivity of Dnmt3b, abnormal expression of genes involved in one-carbon metabolism and elevation of homocysteine, and these improving effects were better than FA or n-3 PUFA alone. In conclusion, the combination of FA and n-3 PUFA has a synergistic effect on preventing maternal diabetes-induced NTD.

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids effectively protect against neural tube defects in diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin.

Folate cannot prevent all neural tube defects (NTD), indicating that other pathogeneses still exist except for the folate deficiency. Maternal diabetes mellitus during pregnancy can increase the risk of offspring NTD. Our previous study showed that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were lower in the placenta of human NTD cases than in healthy controls, and the supplementation of fish oil (rich in long-chain (LC) n-3 PUFA, mainly C20:5n-3 and C22:6n-3) had a better prevention effect against sodium valproate induced NTD than corn oil (rich in C18:2n-6) and flaxseed oil (rich in C18:3n-3). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether PUFA could prevent diabetes-induced NTD in mice. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic pregnant mice were fed with a normal diet (DMC), a diet containing a low dose of fish oil (DMLn-3), a diet containing a high dose of fish oil (DMHn-3) or a diet rich in corn oil (DMn-6). Healthy pregnant mice were fed with a normal diet (HC). Compared with the DMC group, the rate of NTD was significantly lower in the DMHn-3 group (4.44% vs. 12.50%), but not in the DMLn-3 (11.11%) or DMn-6 group (12.03%). The NTD rate in the DMHn-3 group was comparable with that in the HC group (1.33%) (p = 0.246), and lower than that in the DMn-6 group (p = 0.052). The NTD rate in DMLn-3 and DMn-6 groups was significantly higher than that in the HC group. No significant difference was observed in NTD rate between DMLn-3 and DMHn-3 groups, and between DMLn-3 and DMn-6 groups. Compared with the HC group, the DMC group had a significantly lower C22:6n-3 in both serum and embryos. Fish oil supplementation ameliorated neuroepithelial cell apoptosis, and the apoptotic rate was comparable between DMHn-3 and HC groups. Although the apoptotic rate was significantly lower in the DMn-6 group than the DMC group, it was still much higher than that in the HC group. The proteins P53 and Bax in embryos were higher, while the proteins Bcl-2 and Pax3 were lower in the DMC group than in the HC group. The disturbance of Pax3, P53 and Bax induced by diabetes was abolished in DMLn-3, DMHn-3 and DMn-6 groups. Importantly, Bcl-2 in embryos was restored to the normal level only in the DMHn-3 group but not in the DMLn-3 or DMn-6 group. In conclusion, LC n-3 PUFA enriched fish oil has a protective effect against NTD in diabetes induced by STZ through improving neuroepithelial cell apoptosis, and the mechanism may be by increasing the anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2 independently of Pax3 and P53.

Defatted flaxseed flour improves weight loss and lipid profile in overweight and obese adults: a randomized controlled trial.

SCOPE: Studies have suggested that foods rich in dietary fiber may contribute to body weight loss and lower triacylglycerol (TG) levels. This study aimed to investigate the effect of flaxseed meal (FM) (a by-product of flaxseed after oil processing) supplemented biscuits on body weight, body composition, and blood lipids in overweight and obese participants. METHOD AND RESULTS: In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 53 overweight and obese adults (18-36 years of age) were recruited and randomized to consume control biscuits or biscuits supplemented with FM for their breakfast for 60 days (approximately 100 g per day). Significant group × time interaction (P = 0.011) was observed for body weight, and the body weight of the FM group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P = 0.049). We also found significant group × time interactions for body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.008), TG (P = 0.041) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (P = 0.016). In addition, after 60 days of intervention, the body weight, BMI and TG levels of the FM group significantly decreased compared to those of the control group. On day 60, the serum concentration of IL-6 in the FM group was significantly lower than that in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: FM supplemented biscuits have a beneficial effect on body weight, BMI and TG of overweight and obese subjects (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: ChiCTR1900022833).