Fatty acids and their sn-2 positional distribution in breast milk and their association with edible oils in maternal diet: a study of five regions in China.

This study analyzed total fatty acids (FAs) and their sn-2 positional distribution in triacylglycerol (TAG) in breast milk (n = 300) from three lactational stages in five regions of China, and further investigated their association with the effect of the type of edible oil consumed by lactating mothers. A total of 33 FAs including 12 saturated fatty acids (SFAs), 8 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and 13 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were determined using GC. Breast milk from different regions showed significant differences in MUFAs, sn-2 MUFAs, and PUFAs (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001). The results showed that 10 : 0, 18 : 0, 18 : 1 n-9, 18 : 2 n-6 (LA), and 18 : 3 n-3 (ALA) were mainly esterified at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions; 20 : 4 n-6 (ARA) seemed homogeneously esterified at all sn-positions in TAG, while 14 : 0, 16 : 0, and 22 : 6 n-3 (DHA) were primarily esterified at the sn-2 position. In breast milk, major FAs (16 : 0, 18 : 1 n-9, LA, and ALA) and the ratio of PUFAs (LA/ALA and n-6/n-3) were obviously influenced by maternal edible oils. Breast milk from mothers consuming rapeseed oil had the lowest LA (∼19%) and the highest ALA (∼1.9%). The MUFAs, especially 18 : 1 n-9, in breast milk from mothers consuming high oleic acid oils were significantly higher than those in breast milk from mothers consuming other types of edible oils. These results provide a potential nutritional strategy for better breastfeeding by specifically adjusting maternal edible oils despite other fat sources being part of the diet of lactating women.

Cognitive Enhancer Donepezil Attenuates Heroin-Seeking Behavior Induced by Cues in Rats.

PURPOSE: Opioid use disorder is a significant global problem. Chronic heroin use is associated with impairment of cognitive function and conscious control ability. The cholinergic system can be disrupted following heroin administration, indicating that activation of the cholinergic system may prevent chronic heroin misuse. Donepezil as an inhibitor of cholinesterase has been reported to clinically improve cognition and attention. In this study, the inhibition of heroin self-administration and heroin-seeking behaviours by donepezil were evaluated in rats. METHODS: Rats were trained to self-administer heroin every four hours for 14 consecutive days under a fixed ratio 1 (FR1) reinforcement schedule, then underwent withdrawal for two weeks. A progressive ratio schedule was then used to evaluate the relative motivational value of heroin reinforcement. After withdrawal, a conditioned cue was introduced for the reinstatement of heroin-seeking behaviour. Donepezil (0.3-3 mg/kg, i.p.) was used during both the FR1 heroin self-administration and progressive ratio schedules. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the mechanism of action of donepezil in the rat brain. RESULTS: Pre-treatment with high dose donepezil (3 mg/kg) but not low doses (0.3-1 mg/kg) significantly inhibited heroin self-administration under the FR1 schedule. Donepezil decreased motivation values under the progressive ratio schedule in a dose-dependent manner. All doses of donepezil (1-3 mg/kg) decreased the reinstatement of heroin seeking induced by cues. Correlation analysis indicated that the inhibition of donepezil on heroin-seeking behaviour was positively correlated with an increased expression of dopamine receptor 1 (D1R) and dopamine receptor 2 (D2R) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and increased expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that donepezil could inhibit heroin intake and heroin-seeking behaviour. Further, donepezil could regulate dopamine receptors in the NAc via an increase of acetylcholine. These results suggested that donepezil could be developed as a potential approach for the treatment of heroin misuse.