Essential fatty acids deficient diet modulates N-Acylethanolamide profile in rat's tissues.

No data are available on whether a diet deficient of the essential fatty acids is able to modulate tissue levels of endocannabinoids and congeners. Male rats fed for 12 weeks a diet deficient of essential fatty acids, palmitic and oleic acids (EFAD), replaced with saturated fatty acids (SAFA), showed lowered n-3 and n-6 PUFAs levels in plasma, liver and adipose tissue, with concomitant steep increase of oleic and mead acids, while in hypothalamus no changes in PUFA concentration were detected and only palmitoleic acid was found increased. We found a reduction of anandamide and palmitoylethanolamide in liver and brain, while oleoylethanolamide increased significantly in liver and adipose tissue, associated to a 50 % body weight decrease. Changes in N-acylethanolamide profile may contribute to body weight reduction distinctive of EFA deficiency.

Fat Loss in Continuous Enteral Feeding of the Preterm Infant: How Much, What and When Is It Lost?

Human milk fat is a concentrated source of energy and provides essential and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. According to previous experiments, human milk fat is partially lost during continuous enteral nutrition. However, these experiments were done over relatively short infusion times, and a complete profile of the lost fatty acids was never measured. Whether this loss happens considering longer infusion times or if some fatty acids are lost more than others remain unknown. Pooled breast milk was infused through a feeding tube by a peristaltic pump over a period of 30 min and 4, 12 and 24 h at 2 mL/h. Adsorbed fat was extracted from the tubes, and the fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total fat loss (average fatty acid loss) after 24 h was 0.6 ± 0.1%. Total fat loss after 24 h infusion was 0.6 ± 0.1% of the total fat infused, although the highest losses occur in the first 30 min of infusion (13.0 ± 1.6%). Short-medium chain (0.7%, p = 0.15), long chain (0.6%, p = 0.56), saturated (0.7%, p = 0.4), monounsaturated (0.5%, p = 0.15), polyunsaturated fatty (0.7%, p = 0.15), linoleic (0.7%, p = 0.25), and docosahexaenoic acids (0.6%, p = 0.56) were not selectively adsorbed to the tube. However, very long chain fatty (0.9%, p = 0.04), alpha-linolenic (1.6%, p = 0.02) and arachidonic acids (1%, p = 0.02) were selectively adsorbed and, therefore, lost in a greater proportion than other fatty acids. In all cases, the magnitude of the loss was clinically low.

High Ratios of C20:4n-6/C20:5n-3 and Thromboxane B2 /6-Keto-Prostaglandin F1α in Placenta Are Potential Risk Contributors for Neural Tube Defects: A Case-Control Study in Shanxi Province, China.

BACKGROUND: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are severe congenital malformations. Folate supplementation can reduce the risk, but cannot prevent all NTDs, suggesting other reasons for folate-resistant NTDs. The present study assesses placental fatty acid composition, eicosanoids, and cytokines as risk factors for NTDs in a Chinese population with highly incident NTDs. METHODS: Seventy-seven aborted fetuses with NTDs during the third trimester were cases and 142 healthy newborns were controls. Placental fatty acid composition, eicosanoids, and cytokines were determined by standard methods. RESULTS: The placental C20:4n-6/C20:5n-3 and thromboxane B2 (TXB2 )/6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α ) ratios were significantly higher for cases than controls (p < 0.001 and 0.05, respectively). For the top versus the lowest tertiles of placental C20:4n-6/C20:5n-3 and TXB2 /6-keto-PGF1α , odds ratios for NTD occurrence were 3.79 (95% confidence interval, 1.60-8.96) (p for trend < 0.01) and 5.52 (95% confidence interval, 2.07-14.74) (p for trend < 0.001), respectively, adjusted for fetal sex as well as maternal age, occupation, parity, smoking, passive smoking, periconceptional folate supplementation, conception season, and tea drinking. The C20:4n-6/C20:5n-3 and TXB2 /6-keto-PGF1α ratios were positively correlated (r = 0.14; p < 0.05). The proportions of C18:2n-6, C18:3n-6, C20:3n-6, C18:3n-3, C20:3n-3, C20:5n-3, and C22:5n-3 were significantly lower in cases than controls, and all negatively associated with NTD occurrence (tertile-specific odds ratios); after adjustment for the potential confounders, these associations remained significant (p for trend < 0.05) except for C20:3n-3. CONCLUSION: High placental ratios of C20:4n-6/C20:5n-3 and TXB2 /6-keto-PGF1α are risk factors for neural tube defects.Birth Defects Research 109:550-563, 2017.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Growing-up milk: a necessity or marketing?

Growing-up milk (GUM) products intended for children between 1 and 3 years of age are increasingly being introduced into the diets of young children. Although not a necessity for adequate nutrition of that age group, they can compensate for nutritional deficiencies which may occur in the transition phase of infant nutrition to family food, particularly when bad dietary patterns prevail in the family. For that purpose, GUM should be composed to decrease the overall protein intake which tends to be higher than the reference values for that age. This can be achieved by diluting fat-reduced cow's milk to a protein level comparable to infant or follow-on formulae and by partially replacing cow's milk fat with appropriate vegetable oils to increase the content of essential fatty acids and possibly by adding long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acids whilst preserving the content of some minerals (such as calcium and phosphorus) and vitamins (B2 and B12) well represented in cow's milk. The content of iron, iodine, zinc and the vitamins A and D should be the same as in a follow-on formula. Based on available evidence, GUM should not be promoted as a necessity in the nutrition of young children.

Análisis de la composición de ácido araquidónico y ácidos grasos omega-3 en plasma, membrana eritrocitaria y células inmunitarias de pacientes con cirrosis / Analysis of composition of arachidonic acid and fatty acids omega-3 in plasma, erythrocyte membrane and immune cells in patients with cirrhosis

Introducción y objetivo. La participación de mediadores lipídicos derivados del ácido araquidónico (AA) en la lesión hepatocelular de la cirrosis y su modulación por ácidos grasos omega-3 como los ácidos docosahexaenoico (DHA) y eicosapentaenoico (EPA) es un tema de interés creciente. El contenido de AA, EPA y DHA puede ser importante para explicar, entre otras funciones, el tono vasoconstrictor del hígado y la capacidad funcional (fagocitosis, producción de ROS) de las células inmunitarias observada en la cirrosis. El objetivo del trabajo fue estudiar las alteraciones en la composición de AA, DHA y EPA en plasma, membrana eritrocitaria y células inmunitarias de sangre periférica en pacientes con cirrosis y establecer su relación con el deterioro de la función hepática. Pacientes y métodos. Se analizó la composición de ácidos grasos de 42 pacientes con cirrosis clasificados según Child-Pugh y 10 controles sanos en plasma, membrana eritrocitaria y células mononucleares (PMBC) y polimorfonucleares (PMN) de sangre periférica por cromatografía de gases con detección por masas. Resultados y conclusiones. 1) Los cirróticos presentan un descenso significativo en los porcentajes de AA, EPA y DHA en plasma y un descenso significativo de AA en membrana eritrocitaria. 2) El contenido de AA en plasma y en membrana eritrocitaria correlaciona con el deterioro en la función hepática (según Child-Pugh) y no depende de un deficitario aporte nutricional. 3) La composición en AA y DHA está alterada en los PBMC de cirróticos, lo que pudiera tener importancia en la funcionalidad de las células inmunitarias de estos enfermos (AU)

Introduction and objetive. The involvement of lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid (AA) in cirrhosis hepatocellular injury and its modulation by omega-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) is a topic of growing interest. The content of AA, EPA and DHA may be important to explain, among other things, the vasoconstrictor tone of liver and functional capacity (phagocytosis, ROS production) of immune cells observed in cirrhosis. The objective was to study alterations in the composition of AA, DHA and EPA in plasma, erythrocyte membranes and peripheral blood immune cells in patients with cirrhosis and determine their relationship with liver function impairment. Patients and methods. We analyzed the fatty acid composition of 42 patients with cirrhosis using the Child-Pugh classification, and 10 healthy controls in plasma, erythrocyte membrane and mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and polymorphonuclear (PMN) from peripheral blood using gas chromatography with mass detection. Results and conclusions. 1) Patients with cirrhosis showed significant decreases in the percentages of AA in plasma and erythrocyte membrane, as well as EPA and DHA in plasma. 2) AA content in plasma and erythrocyte membrane correlates with impaired liver function (Child scale) and it does not depend on a nutritional deficit. 3) AA and DHA composition varies also in PBMC (lymphocytes and monocytes) of cirrhosis, which may affect immune function of these cells (AU)

Production of human milk fat analogue containing docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acids.

Human milk fat (HMF) analogue containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) at sn-1,3 positions and palmitic acid (PA) at sn-2 position was produced. Novozym 435 lipase was used to produce palmitic acid-enriched hazelnut oil (EHO). EHO was then used to produce the final structured lipid (SL) through interesterification reactions using Lipozyme RM IM. Reaction variables for 3 h reactions were temperature, substrate mole ratio, and ARASCO/DHASCO (A:D) ratio. After statistical analysis of DHA, ARA, total PA, and PA content at sn-2 position, a large-scale production was performed at 60 °C, 3:2 A:D ratio, and 1:0.1 substrate mole ratio. For the SL, those results were determined as 57.3 ± 0.4%, 2.7 ± 0.0%, 2.4 ± 0.1%, and 66.1 ± 2.2%, respectively. Tocopherol contents were 84, 19, 85, and 23 µg/g oil for α-, ß-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol. Melting range of SL was narrower than that of EHO. Oxidative stability index (OSI) value of SL (0.80 h) was similar to that of EHO (0.88 h). This SL can be used in infant formulas to provide the benefits of ARA and DHA.

Dietary modulation of body composition and insulin sensitivity during catch-up growth in rats: effects of oils rich in n-6 or n-3 PUFA.

The present study investigates whether excessive fat accumulation and hyperinsulinaemia during catch-up growth on high-fat diets are altered by n-6 and n-3 PUFA derived from oils rich in either linoleic acid (LA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), arachidonic acid (AA) or DHA. It has been shown that, compared with food-restricted rats refed a high-fat (lard) diet low in PUFA, those refed isoenergetically on diets enriched in LA or ALA, independently of the n-6:n-3 ratio, show improved insulin sensitivity, lower fat mass and higher lean mass, the magnitude of which is related to the proportion of total PUFA precursors (LA+ALA) consumed. These relationships are best fitted by quadratic regression models (r2>0·8, P < 0·001), with threshold values for an impact on body composition corresponding to PUFA precursors contributing 25-30 % of energy intake. Isoenergetic refeeding on high-fat diets enriched in AA or DHA also led to improved body composition, with increases in lean mass as predicted by the quadratic model for PUFA precursors, but decreases in fat mass, which are disproportionately greater than predicted values; insulin sensitivity, however, was not improved. These findings pertaining to the impact of dietary intake of PUFA precursors (LA and ALA) and their elongated-desaturated products (AA and DHA), on body composition and insulin sensitivity, provide important insights into the search for diets aimed at counteracting the pathophysiological consequences of catch-up growth. In particular, diets enriched in essential fatty acids (LA and/or ALA) markedly improve insulin sensitivity and composition of weight regained, independently of the n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio.

Effect of dietary fat on endocannabinoids and related mediators: consequences on energy homeostasis, inflammation and mood.

Among the several known fatty acid-derived chemical signals, the endogenous ligands of cannabinoid receptors type-1 and -2, two G-protein-coupled receptors involved in several aspects of mammalian physiology and pathology, are perhaps those the levels of which have proven to be most sensitive to the fatty acid composition of the diet. The two most studied such ligands, known as endocannabinoids, are N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine and 2-archidonoylglycerol, and are found in tissues together with other N-acyl-ethanolamines and 2-acylglycerols, not all of which activate the cannabinoid receptors, although several of them do exhibit important pharmacological effects. In this review article, we describe literature data indicating that the tissue concentrations of the endocannabinoids and related signalling molecules, and hence the activity of the respective receptors, can be modulated by modifying the fatty acid composition of the diet, and particularly its content in long chain PUFAs or in long chain PUFA precursors. We also discuss the potential impact of these diet-induced changes of endocannabinoid tone on three of the major pathological conditions in which cannabinoid receptors have been involved, that is metabolic dysfunctions, inflammation and affective disorders.

Lipid formation and gama-linolenic acid production by Mucor circinelloides and Rhizopus sp., grown on vegetable oil / Formação de lipídeos e produção de ácido gama-linolênico por Mucor circinelloides e Rhizopus sp., em óleos vegetais

The fungi strains were tested in Bioscreen automated system to select the best nutritional source. Following, shaking submserse cultures were studied in media containing sole carbon or nitrogen source. The growth of these strains improved in media containing vegetable oil, with high concentration of lipids. The high concentration of γ-linolenic acid was obtained with M. circinelloides in culture containing sesame oil.

Linhagens de fungos foram testadas em sistema automatizado Bioscreen para selecionar melhor fonte nutricional. Em seguida, foram estudadas culturas submersas em meios contendo uma única fonte de carbono e de nitrogênio. As linhagens contendo alta concentração de lipídeos tiveram melhor crescimento em meio contendo óleos de gergelim ou de dendê. Maior concentração de ácido γ-linolênico foi obtida com M. circinelloides nas culturas em óleo de gergelim.

A complex between 6-iodolactone and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor type gamma may mediate the antineoplastic effect of iodine in mammary cancer.

Recently we and other groups have shown that molecular iodine (I(2)) exhibits potent antiproliferative and apoptotic effects in mammary cancer models. In the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7, I(2) treatment generates iodine-containing lipids similar to 6-iodo-5-hydroxy-eicosatrienoic acid and the 6-iodolactone (6-IL) derivative of arachidonic acid (AA), and it significantly decreases cellular proliferation and induces caspase-dependent apoptosis. Several studies have shown that AA is a natural ligand of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which are nuclear transcription factors thought to participate in regulating cancer cell proliferation. Our results show that in MCF-7 cells: (1) 6-IL binds specifically and with high affinity to PPAR proteins (EMSA assays), (2) 6-IL activates both transfected (by transactivation assays) and endogenous (by lipid accumulation) peroxisome proliferator response elements, and (3) 6-IL supplementation increases PPAR gamma and decreases PPAR alpha expression. These results implicate PPARs in a molecular mechanism by which I(2), through formation of 6-IL, inhibits the growth of human breast cancer cells.