Effects of dietary omega-3 and -6 supplementations on phospholipid fatty acid composition in mice uterus during window of pre-implantation.

Since fatty acid composition of uterus phospholipids is likely to influence embryo implantation, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary omega-3 and -6 fatty acids on implantation rate as well as uterine phospholipid fatty acids composition during mice pre-implantation period. Sixty female mice were randomly distributed into:1) control (standard pellet), 2) omega-3 (standard pellet + 10% w/w of omega-3 fatty acids) and 3) omega-6 (standard pellet + 10% w/w of omega-6 fatty acids). Uterine phospholipid fatty acid composition during the pre-implantation window (days 1-5 of pregnancy) was analyzed using gas-chromatography. The implantation rate on the fifth day of pregnancy was also determined. Our results showed that on days 1, 2 and 3 of pregnancy, the levels of arachidonic acid (ARA) as well as total omega-6 fatty acids were significantly higher and the levels of linolenic acid and total omega-3 fatty acids were statistically lower in the omega-6 group compared to the omega-3 group (p < 0.05). On the fourth day of pregnancy, only the ARA, total omega-6 fatty acids, and poly-unsaturated fatty acids levels were significantly different between the two dietary supplemented groups (p < 0.05). There were positive correlations between the levels of omega-6 fatty acids, especially ARA, with the implantation rate. The present study showed that diets rich in omega-3 and -6 fatty acids could differently modify uterine phospholipid fatty acid composition and uterine levels of phospholipid ARA, and that the total omega-6 fatty acids had a positive association with the implantation rate.

Differential fatty acid analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in infants and young children with suspected meningitis.

PURPOSE: Meningitis is relatively common in infants and young children and can cause permanent brain damage. The aim of this study was to determine whether meningitis is associated with fatty acids in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). METHODS: CSF samples from children between 3 months and 6 years of age admitted to the Tabriz public hospitals who met clinical criteria of meningitis were collected at enrollment. A total of 81 samples were analyzed for fatty acid profile by gas-liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Children with a purulent meningitis demonstrated a higher percentage of oleic acid (p < 0.05, >10 %) and lower percentages of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.001, <-40 %) than aseptic meningitis and nonmeningitis groups did. There was an inverse relationship between CSF long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and the total number of leukocytes and differential counts of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the purulent meningitis group. Moreover, significantly lower omega-3 fatty acids (p = 0.001, -37 %) and higher ratio of n-6/n-3 (p = 0.02, -29 %) were found in patients with purulent meningitis with sepsis than in those with meningitis and no sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that purulent meningitis and its complication with sepsis are associated with important disturbances in CSF fatty acids, mainly deficiency in long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.