Amelioration of nutritional properties of bakery fat using omega-3 fatty acid-rich edible oils: a review.

Bakery products have gained prominence in modern diets due to their convenience and accessibility, often serving as staple meals across diverse regions. However, the fats used in these products are rich in saturated fatty acids and often comprise trans fatty acids, which are considered as a major biomarker for non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disorders, obesity and diabetes. Additionally, these fats lack the essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are widely known for their therapeutic benefits. They play a major role in lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. Thus, there is need for incorporating these essential fatty acids into bakery fats. Nevertheless, fortifying food products with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) poses several challenges due to their high susceptibility to oxidation. This oxidative deterioration leads to not only the formation of undesirable flavors, but also a loss of nutritional value in the final products. This review focuses on the development of healthier trans-fat-free bakery fat enriched with omega-3 fatty acids and its effect on the physicochemical, functional, sensory and nutritional properties of bakery fats and products. Further, the role of various technologies like physical blending, enzymatic interesterification and encapsulation to improve the stability of PUFA-rich bakery fat is discussed, where microencapsulation emerged as a novel and effective technology to enhance the stability and shelf life. By preventing deteriorative changes, microencapsulation ensures that the nutritional, physicochemical and sensory properties of food products remain intact. Novel modification methods like interesterification and microencapsulation used for developing PUFA-rich bakery fats have a potential to address the health risks occurring due to consumption of bakery fat having higher amount of saturated and trans fatty acids. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Enzymatic Interesterification of Vegetable Oil:A Review on Physicochemical and Functional Properties, and Its Health Effects.

In recent years, scientists and technologists have become increasingly interested in producing modified lipids with enhanced nutritional and functional properties. The application and functional properties of fats and oil depend on the composition and structure of triacylglycerols (TAG). As a result, lipid TAG changes can be used to synthesize tailored lipids with a broader range of applications. However, no natural edible oil is available with appropriate dietary and functional properties to meet the human recommended dietary allowances (RDA). On the other hand, the arising health concern is the transfat consumption produced during the chemical modification of vegetable oil through the partial hydrogenation process. Therefore, innovative technologies are shifting toward modifying fat and oil to improve their functionality. Enzymatic interesterification (EIE) is one of the emerging and novel technology to modify the technological traits of naturally available edible oil. It helps in modifying physicochemical, functional, oxidative, and nutritional characteristics of fats and oil due to the rearrangement of the fatty acid positions in the glycerol backbone after interesterification. Enzymatic interesterification utilizes lipase as a biocatalyst with specificity and selectivity to produce desired lipids. Alternation in the molecular structure of triacylglycerol results in changes in melting/dropping point, thermal properties, crystallization behavior, solid fat content, and oxidative stability. Because of its high acyl exchange reaction efficiency, simple reaction process, flexibility, eco-friendly, and generation of fewer by-products, (EIE) is gaining more attention as a substitute lipid modification approach. This review paper discusses the uses of EIE in developing modified fat with desirable physicochemical and nutritional properties. EIE is one of the potential techniques to modify vegetable oil's physicochemical, functional, and nutritional characteristics without producing any undesirable reaction products. EIE produces different modified lipids such as trans fat-free margarine, plastic fat, bakery, confectionery fat, therapeutic oil, infant food, cocoa butter substitute, and equivalent.

Pre-pregnancy fat intake in relation to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have linked intakes of fat and of specific fatty acids during pregnancy with preeclampsia; however, information on the association of intake before pregnancy with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) is scant. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the associations of intakes of major and specific types of fat before pregnancy with the risks of HDP, including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension (GHTN). METHODS: We followed 11,535 women without chronic disease participating in the Nurses' Health Study II from 1991 and 2009. Pre-pregnancy dietary fat was assessed by an FFQ. Intakes of total fat, saturated fat, trans fatty acid (TFA), MUFAs, PUFAs, and fat subtypes (omega-3 and omega-6) were categorized into quintiles of intake. HDP were self-reported. The RRs (95% CIs) of HDP were estimated by log-binomial generalized estimating equation regression models, with an exchangeable correlation matrix to account for repeated pregnancies while adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: During 19 years of follow-up, there were 495 cases of preeclampsia (2.9%) and 561 (3.3%) cases of GHTN in 16,892 singleton pregnancies. The mean age at pregnancy was 34.6 years (SD, 3.9 years). Among major fat types, only pre-pregnancy TFA was related to a higher risk of HDP (RR, 1.32; 95% CI: 1.05-1.66), and only for preeclampsia (RR, 1.50; 95% CI: 1.07-2.10) but not for GHTN (RR, 1.21; 95% CI: 0.87-1.70). Among specific types of PUFAs, intake of arachidonic acid was positively related with GHTN (RR, 1.43; 95% CI: 1.00-2.04) but not preeclampsia (RR, 1.08; 95% CI: 0.75-1.57). In analyses restricted to pregnancies 1 year after the diet assessment, women with the highest intake of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids had a 31% lower risk of HDP (95% CI: 3%-51%), which was driven by preeclampsia (RR, 0.55; 95% CI: 0.33-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-pregnancy intakes of total fat, saturated fat, and MUFA were unrelated to HDP, whereas TFA was positively related to HDP. These findings highlight the importance of ongoing efforts to eliminate TFA from the global food supply.

Industrially produced trans fat: Usage, health implications, global and indian regulations.

Global momentum is growing for the total elimination of industrially produced trans fats from the food systems as they are known to have deleterious health effects on various body functions particularly the cardiovascular health. Many developed nations such as Denmark have completely eliminated the use of industrially produced trans fats from the food supply. India is undergoing a significant nutrition transition that has substantially increased the intake of processed and ready-to-eat foods, abundant in trans fats. The Indian regulator-Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is all set to reduce the industrially produced trans fats to <2% by the end of year 2021 in a phased manner. Multiple strategies such as reducing trans fat limit in oils and fats, mandatory labeling on food products, introduction of "Trans-fat free" claim and logo have been adopted by the Indian regulatory body, to achieve the goal of trans fat free India. This review comprehensively summarizes from a public health perspective the usage of industrially-produced trans fats in Indian food industry, its effects on health, the global strategies to limit its content, and the current Indian regulations.

Rapid Prediction of Low (<1%) trans Fat Content in Edible Oils and Fast Food Lipid Extracts by Infrared Spectroscopy and Partial Least Squares Regression.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled that partially hydrogenated oils (PHO), the major dietary source of industrially produced trans fat (TF), were no longer "generally recognized as safe (GRAS)" for any use in human food. Consequently, the objective of this study was to develop a rapid screening procedure using attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy in conjunction with partial least squares regression (PLSR) for the quantitative and accurate prediction of low concentrations of trans fatty acid (TFAs) (<1% of total fatty acids (FAs)). Broad-based calibration models were developed for a combined set of samples consisting of edible oils and fast food lipid extracts. Predicted concentrations of TFAs in the two matrices showed good correlation with the primary reference data generated by gas chromatography (GC) (R2 > 0.99) and high accuracy as evidenced by low root-mean-square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) values. The lowest TFA concentration, determined by GC to be 0.13% of total FAs, was accurately predicted by ATR-FTIR/PLSR as 0.18% of total FAs. This simple, rapid ATR-FTIR/PLSR methodology has the potential for use as a screening alternative to conventional gas chromatographic methods for predicting the TFA content of edible oils and food lipid extracts for regulatory purposes and quality control of raw material and processed food. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: FDA ruled that partially hydrogenated oils were no longer "generally recognized as safe (GRAS)" for any use in human food. Consequently, we have proposed a rapid screening procedure, based on infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics, to rapidly and accurately predict low concentrations of trans fatty acids (<1% of total fatty acids) in edible oils and food lipid extracts.

Can the dietary fat type facilitate memory impairments in adulthood? A comparative study between Mediterranean and Western-based diet in rats.

A balanced intake of fatty acids (FA) of both omega-6 (n-6) and -3 (n-3) series is essential for memory. The Mediterranean diet (MD), rich in n-3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) and low n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio, has shown beneficial influences on health. Inversely, the Western diet contains saturated fats, including hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF, rich in trans fat) and interesterified fat (IF), making the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio high. Due to the health impairments caused by HVF, it has been replaced by IF in processed foods. We compared an MD (balanced n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio) with Western diets 1 (WD1, rich in trans fat) and 2 (WD2, rich in IF) on memory process per se and following scopolamine (SCO) administration, which induces amnesia in rats. While MD exerted protective effects, WD1 and WD2 showed declined memory per se, showing higher susceptibility to SCO-induced memory deficits. In addition, WD1 and WD2 showed increased proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6] and decreased anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) in plasma. IL-1ß was higher in the hippocampus of WD1, which was reflected on histological assessments. Significant correlations between cognitive decline and inflammatory markers reinforce our hypothesis: MD-like fats may act preventively on cognitive loss, while WD-like fats may facilitate this.

Structural Determination and Occurrence in Ahiflower Oil of Stearidonic Acid Trans Fatty Acids.

Several marine oils and seed oils on the market contain relevant quantities of stearidonic acid (18:4n-3, SDA). The formation of 18:4n-3 trans fatty acids (tFA) during the refining of these oils necessitates the development of a method for their quantification. In this study, 18:4n-3 was isolated from Ahiflower and isomerized to obtain its 16 geometric isomers. The geometric isomers of 18:4n-3 were isolated by silver ion HPLC (Ag+ -HPLC) and characterized by partial reduction with hydrazine followed by gas chromatography analysis. The elution order of all 16 isomers was established using a 100 m × 0.25 mm 100% poly(biscyanopropyl siloxane) capillary column and at the elution temperature of 180 °C. The 4 mono-trans-18:4n-3 isomers produced during the refining of oils rich in 18:4n-3 were chromatographically resolved from each other, but c6,t9,c12,c15-18:4 coeluted with the tetra-cis isomer. These 2 fatty acids (FA) were resolved by reducing the separation temperature to 150 °C, but this change caused tetra-cis-18:4n-3 to coelute with t6,c9,c12,c15-18:4. Combining the results from 2 isothermal separations (180 and 150 °C) was necessary to quantify the 4 mono-trans 18:4n-3 FA in Ahiflower oil.

Maternal intake of trans-unsaturated or interesterified fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation modifies mitochondrial bioenergetics in the liver of adult offspring in mice.

The quality of dietary lipids in the maternal diet can programme the offspring to diseases in later life. We investigated whether the maternal intake of palm oil or interesterified fat, substitutes for trans-unsaturated fatty acids (FA), induces metabolic changes in the adult offspring. During pregnancy and lactation, C57BL/6 female mice received normolipidic diets containing partially hydrogenated vegetable fat rich in trans-unsaturated fatty acids (TG), palm oil (PG), interesterified fat (IG) or soyabean oil (CG). After weaning, male offspring from all groups received the control diet until day 110. Plasma glucose and TAG and liver FA profiles were ascertained. Liver mitochondrial function was accessed with high-resolution respirometry by measuring VO2, fluorimetry for detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production and mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. The results showed that the IG offspring presented a 20 % increase in plasma glucose and both the IG and TG offspring presented a 2- and 1·9-fold increase in TAG, respectively, when compared with CG offspring. Liver MUFA and PUFA contents decreased in the TG and IG offspring when compared with CG offspring. Liver MUFA content also decreased in the PG offspring. These modifications in FA composition possibly affected liver mitochondrial function, as respiration was impaired in the TG offspring and H2O2 production was higher in the IG offspring. In addition, mitochondrial Ca2+ retention capacity was reduced by approximately 40 and 55 % in the TG and IG offspring, respectively. In conclusion, maternal consumption of trans-unsaturated and interesterified fat affected offspring health by compromising mitochondrial bioenergetics and lipid metabolism in the liver.

Margarines and Fast-Food French Fries: Low Content of trans Fatty Acids.

The lipid fraction of margarines and fast food French fries, two types of foods traditionally high in trans fatty acids (TFA), is assessed. TFA data reported worldwide during the last 20 years have been gathered and show that some countries still report high TFA amounts in these products. The content of TFA was analysed in margarines (two store and four premium brands) and French-fries from fast-food restaurants (five chains). All samples were collected in Pamplona (Navarra, Spain). The margarines showed mean values of 0.68% and 0.43% (g TFA/100 g fat) for the store and premium brands, respectively. The French fries' values ranged from 0.49% to 0.89%. All samples were lower than the 2% set by some European countries as the maximum legal content of TFA in fats, and contained less than 0.5 g/serving, so they could also be considered "trans free products". This work confirmed that the presence of TFA is not significant in the two analysed products and contributes updated food composition tables, key tools for epidemiological and nutrition studies.

Dietary intake of α-linolenic acid and risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Background: The relation between α-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-derived omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is unclear. European researchers reported that ≤40% of ALA can be present as trans forms.Objective: We aimed to evaluate the associations between intake of ALA and intermediate and advanced AMD.Design: Seventy-five thousand eight hundred eighty-nine women from the Nurses' Health Study and 38,961 men from Health Professionals Follow-Up Study were followed up from 1984 to 2012 and from 1986 to 2010, respectively. We assessed dietary intake by a validated food-frequency questionnaire at baseline and every 4 y thereafter. One thousand five hundred eighty-nine incident intermediate and 1356 advanced AMD cases (primarily neovascular AMD) were confirmed by medical record review.Results: The multivariable-adjusted HR for intermediate AMD comparing ALA intake at the top quintile to the bottom quintile was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.56; P-trend = 0.01) in the analyses combining 2 cohorts. The HR in each cohort was in the positive direction but reached statistical significance only in the women. However, the positive association was apparent only in the pre-2002 era in each cohort and not afterward (P-time interaction = 0.003). ALA intake was not associated with advanced AMD in either time period. Using gas-liquid chromatography, we identified both cis ALA (mean ± SD: 0.13% ± 0.04%) and trans ALA isomers (0.05% ± 0.01%) in 395 erythrocyte samples collected in 1989-1990. In stepwise regression models, mayonnaise was the leading predictor of erythrocyte concentrations of cis ALA and one isomer of trans ALA. We also found trans ALA in mayonnaise samples.Conclusions: A high intake of ALA was associated with an increased risk of intermediate AMD before 2002 but not afterward. The period before 2002 coincides with the same time period when trans ALA was found in food and participants' blood; this finding deserves further study.

The proportion of total C18:1 trans-fatty acids in red blood cell membranes relates to carotid plaque prevalence.

Consistent evidence supports the pro-atherogenic properties of dietary trans-fatty acids (TFAs). However, there are no clinical data on TFA intake and atheroma plaque. We cross sectionally investigated whether the proportion of total C18:1 TFA in red blood cells (RBCs), which mirrors dietary TFA intake, independently relates to carotid plaque prevalence in subjects with new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus without prior cardiovascular disease (n=101, 56% men, mean age 61 years) and age- and sex-matched controls (n=96). RBC fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. Plaque (defined as carotid intima-media thickness ≥1.5 mm) was sonographically assessed at three bilateral carotid segments. In multivariate models adjusting for group (diabetes or control) and classical cardiovascular risk factors, for each 0.1% increase in RBC total C18:1 TFA isomers, plaque prevalence increased by 53% (P=.002). In contrast, for each 0.1% increase in RBC alpha-linolenic acid, the vegetable omega-3 fatty acid, plaque prevalence decreased by 43% (P<.001). We conclude that the RBC membrane proportion of total C18:1 TFA, considered a proxy of intake, directly relates to the ultrasound feature that best predicts future cardiovascular events. Our findings support current recommendations to limit TFA intake for cardiovascular health promotion.

Evaluation of poly(90% biscyanopropyl/10% cyanopropylphenyl siloxane) capillary columns for the gas chromatographic quantification of trans fatty acids in non-hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Current gas chromatographic (GC) methods for the analysis of fatty acids (FA) were optimized primarily for the quantification of the trans 18:1 FAs (18:1 tFAs) produced during the partial hydrogenation of fats and oils. Recent regulatory action regarding the application of partial hydrogenation in the processing of edible fats and oils may reshape the FA composition of these products. The higher content in 18:3 tFAs compared to 18:1 tFAs of most refined non-hydrogenated vegetable oils (RNHVO), and the challenge in their quantification applying current methods, suggest the need for new methodologies. This manuscript describes a simple GC method for the analysis of FAs in RNHVOs utilizing a 100m (0.25mm I.D.) capillary column coated with poly(90% biscyanopropyl/10% cyanopropylphenyl siloxane) (90% BCS). The optimization of the chromatographic conditions and the detection of co-eluting compounds were carried out by applying comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography with online reduction (GC-OR×GC). Results showed that 90% BCS capillary columns operated at the elution temperature of 162°C provide the separation of the 18:1, 18:2 and 18:3 tFAs, contained in RNHVOs, from other components. A minor constituent of Canola oil, 16:3n-3, partially co-eluted with trans-18:1 FAMEs. This simple GC method showed the ability to measure trans-fat in RNHVOs at the level of 0.5g/100g, providing comparable quantitative results to the more complex GC×GC methodology.

Fat composition of vegetable oil spreads and margarines in the USA in 2013: a national marketplace analysis.

Worldwide, the fat composition of spreads and margarines ("spreads") has significantly changed over the past decades. Data on fat composition of US spreads are limited and outdated. This paper compares the fat composition of spreads sold in 2013 to that sold in 2002 in the USA. The fat composition of 37 spreads representing >80% of the US market sales volume was determined by standard analytical methods. Sales volume weighted averages were calculated. In 2013, a 14 g serving of spread contained on average 7.1 g fat and 0.2 g trans-fatty acids and provided 22% and 15% of the daily amounts recommended for male adults in North America of omega-3 α-linolenic acid and omega-6 linoleic acid, respectively. Our analysis of the ingredient list on the food label showed that 86% of spreads did not contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO) in 2013. From 2002 to 2013, based on a 14 g serving, total fat and trans-fatty acid content of spreads decreased on average by 2.2 g and 1.5 g, respectively. In the same period, the overall fat composition improved as reflected by a decrease of solid fat (from 39% to 30% of total-fatty acids), and an increase of unsaturated fat (from 61% to 70% of total-fatty acids). The majority of US spreads no longer contains PHVO and can contribute to meeting dietary recommendations by providing unsaturated fat.

Dietary fat intakes in Irish adults in 2011: how much has changed in 10 years?

Imbalances in dietary fat intakes are linked to several chronic diseases. This study describes dietary intakes and food sources of fat and fatty acids in 1051 Irish adults (aged 18-90 years), using data from the 2011 national food consumption survey, the National Adult Nutrition Survey. It also compares current intakes for 18-64-year-olds with those reported in the last such survey in 2001, the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey. Dietary fat intakes were estimated using data from 4-d semi-weighed (2011) and 7-d estimated (2001) food diaries. In 2011, intakes for 18-64-year-olds were as follows: total fat, 34·1 (sd 6·1) % total energy (%TE); SFA, 13·3 (sd 3·3) %TE; MUFA, 12·5 (sd 2·6) %TE; PUFA, 6·1 (sd 2·2) %TE; and trans-fat, 0·511 (sd 0·282) %TE. Apart from MUFA, intakes decreased (P65 years had the highest intakes of SFA; however, intakes were typically higher than UK-recommended values for all groups. In contrast, intakes of long-chain n-3 fatty acids were lowest in younger age groups. Intakes of trans-fat were well within UK-recommended levels. Although there have been some improvements in the profile of intakes since 2001, imbalances persist in the quantity and quality of dietary fat consumed by Irish adults, most notably for total and SFA and for younger age groups for long-chain n-3 fatty acids.

Lifelong consumption of trans fatty acids promotes striatal impairments on Na(+)/K(+) ATPase activity and BDNF mRNA expression in an animal model of mania.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the toxicity of chronic consumption of processed foods that are rich in trans fat on the lipid composition of brain membranes, as well as its functional repercussions. METHODS: A second generation of male rats born from mothers and grandmothers supplemented with soybean oil (SOC, an isocaloric control group) or hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF, rich in TFA) (3g/kg; p.o.) were kept under oral treatment until 90 days of age, when they were exposed to an AMPH-induced model of mania. RESULTS: The HVF group presented 0.38% of TFA incorporation in the striatum, affecting Na(+)/K(+) ATPase activity, which was decreased per se and following AMPH-exposure. The HVF group also showed increased protein carbonyl (PC) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA levels after AMPH administration, while these oxidative and molecular changes were not observed in the other experimental groups. Additionally, a negative correlation between striatal Na(+)/K(+) ATPase activity and PC levels (r(2)=0.49) was observed. CONCLUSION: The prolonged consumption of trans fat allows TFA incorporation and increases striatal oxidative status, thus impairing the functionality of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and affecting molecular targets as BDNF mRNA. We hypothesized that the chronic intake of processed foods (rich in TFA) facilitates the development of neuropsychiatric diseases, particularly bipolar disorder.

Cross-Generational trans Fat Consumption Favors Self-Administration of Amphetamine and Changes Molecular Expressions of BDNF, DAT, and D1/D2 Receptors in the Cortex and Hippocampus of Rats.

Amphetamine (AMPH) is an addictive psychostimulant drug whose use has been related to neurotoxicity. Experimentally, AMPH increases anxiety-like symptoms, showing addictive properties. In the last decades, the growing consumption of processed foods has provided an excess of saturated and trans fats in detriment of essential fatty acids, which may modify the lipid profile of brain membranes, thus modifying its permeability and dopaminergic neurotransmission. Here, we assessed the influence of brain incorporation of different fatty acids (FA) on AMPH self-administration. Three groups of young male rats were orally supplemented from weaning with a mixture of soybean oil (SO, rich in n-6 FA) and fish oil (FO, rich in n-3 FA), hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF, rich in trans fatty acids--TFA), or water (control group). These animals were born from dams that were supplemented with the same fat from pregnancy to lactation. Anxiety-like symptoms and locomotor index were assessed in elevated plus maze and open-field (OF), respectively, while brain molecular expressions of dopaminergic receptors, dopamine transporter (DAT), and BDNF were determined in the cortex and hippocampus. HVF increased the frequency of AMPH self-administration and was associated with reinforcement and withdrawal signs as observed by increased anxiety-like symptoms. Contrarily, SO/FO decreased these parameters. Increased BDNF protein together with decreased DAT expression was observed in the hippocampus of HVF group. Based on these findings, our study points to a harmful influence of trans fats on drug addiction and craving symptoms, whose mechanism may be related to changes in the dopaminergic neurotransmission.

Executive summary.

The impact of dietary fats and oils on health continues to be a controversial subject. In addition, the ability of the food industry to freely alter the fat content and composition of foods to meet dietary recommendations is limited by how these food components affect food quality and stability. Therefore, a recent workshop was held to bring together food and nutrition scientists to highlight nutritional research and product innovations that explore the nutritional impact of fatty acids in the food supply. The latest research on metabolic responses and health benefits associated with foods made with new nutritional and functional oils was discussed, along with a detailed look at how science-based advances in preparation methods and processing technologies affect the nutrient profile of food products, including potato products. Additional discussion was provided on how oil innovations align with dietary guidance and policy. This supplement issue presents articles on those presentations.

Toxicological aspects of trans fat consumption over two sequential generations of rats: Oxidative damage and preference for amphetamine.

Chronic consumption of processed food causes structural changes in membrane phospholipids, affecting brain neurotransmission. Here we evaluated noxious influences of dietary fats over two generations of rats on amphetamine (AMPH)-conditioned place preference (CPP). Female rats received soybean oil (SO, rich in n-6 fatty acids (FA)), fish oil (FO, rich in n-3 FA) and hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF, rich in trans fatty acids (TFA)) for two successive generations. Male pups from the 2nd generation were maintained on the same supplementation until 41 days of age, when they were conditioned with AMPH in CPP. While the FO group showed higher incorporation of n-3 polyunsaturated-FA (PUFA) in cortex/hippocampus, the HVF group showed TFA incorporation in these same brain areas. The SO and HVF groups showed AMPH-preference and anxiety-like symptoms during abstinence. Higher levels of protein carbonyl (PC) and lower levels of non-protein thiols (NPSH) were observed in cortex/hippocampus of the HVF group, indicating antioxidant defense system impairment. In contrast, the FO group showed no drug-preference and lower PC levels in cortex. Cortical PC was positively correlated with n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio, locomotion and anxiety-like behavior, and hippocampal PC was positively correlated with AMPH-preference, reinforcing connections between oxidative damage and AMPH-induced preference/abstinence behaviors. As brain incorporation of trans and n-6 PUFA modifies its physiological functions, it may facilitate drug addiction.

Cross-generational trans fat intake facilitates mania-like behavior: oxidative and molecular markers in brain cortex.

Since that fast food consumption have raised concerns about people's health, we evaluated the influence of trans fat consumption on behavioral, biochemical and molecular changes in the brain-cortex of second generation rats exposed to a model of mania. Two successive generations of female rats were supplemented with soybean oil (SO, rich in n-6 FA, control group), fish oil (FO, rich in n-3 FA) and hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF, rich in trans FA) from pregnancy, lactation to adulthood, when male rats from 2nd generation received amphetamine (AMPH-4 mg/kg-i.p., once a day, for 14 days) treatment. AMPH increased locomotor index in all animals, which was higher in the HVF group. While the FO group showed increased n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) incorporation and reduced n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio, HVF allowed trans fatty acid (TFA) incorporation and increased n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in the brain-cortex. In fact, the FO group showed minor AMPH-induced hyperactivity, decreased reactive species (RS) generation per se, causing no changes in protein carbonyl (PC) levels and dopamine transporter (DAT). FO supplementation showed molecular changes, since proBDNF was increased per se and reduced by AMPH, decreasing the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level following drug treatment. Conversely, HVF was related to increased hyperactivity, higher PC level per se and higher AMPH-induced PC level, reflecting on DAT, whose levels were decreased per se as well as in AMPH-treated groups. In addition, while HVF increased BDNF-mRNA per se, AMPH reduced this value, acting on BDNF, whose level was lower in the same AMPH-treated experimental group. ProBDNF level was influenced by HVF supplementation, but it was not sufficient to modify BDNF level. These findings reinforce that prolonged consumption of trans fat allows TFA incorporation in the cortex, facilitating hyperactive behavior, oxidative damages and molecular changes. Our study is a warning about cross-generational consumption of processed food, since high trans fat may facilitate the development of neuropsychiatric conditions, including bipolar disorder (BD).

Proceedings from the 2013 Canadian Nutrition Society Conference on Advances in Dietary Fats and Nutrition.

The science of lipid research continues to rapidly evolve and change. New knowledge enhances our understanding and perspectives on the role of lipids in health and nutrition. However, new knowledge also challenges currently held opinions. The following are the proceedings of the 2013 Canadian Nutrition Society Conference on the Advances in Dietary Fats and Nutrition. Content experts presented state-of-the-art information regarding our understanding of fish oil and plant-based n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, nutrigenomics, pediatrics, regulatory affairs, and trans fats. These important contributions aim to provide clarity on the latest advances and opinions regarding the role of different types of fats in health.