DHA Supplementation of Obese Rats throughout Pregnancy and Lactation Modifies Milk Composition and Anxiety Behavior of Offspring.

We investigated if supplementing obese mothers (MO) with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) improves milk long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) composition and offspring anxiety behavior. From weaning throughout pregnancy and lactation, female Wistar rats ate chow (C) or a high-fat diet (MO). One month before mating and through lactation, half the mothers received 400 mg DHA kg-1 d-1 orally (C+DHA or MO+DHA). Offspring ate C after weaning. Maternal weight, total body fat, milk hormones, and milk nutrient composition were determined. Pups' milk nutrient intake was evaluated, and behavioral anxiety tests were conducted. MO exhibited increased weight and total fat, and higher milk corticosterone, leptin, linoleic, and arachidonic acid (AA) concentrations, and less DHA content. MO male and female offspring had higher ω-6/ ω-3 milk consumption ratios. In the elevated plus maze, female but not male MO offspring exhibited more anxiety. MO+DHA mothers exhibited lower weight, total fat, milk leptin, and AA concentrations, and enhanced milk DHA. MO+DHA offspring had a lower ω-6/ω-3 milk intake ratio and reduced anxiety vs. MO. DHA content was greater in C+DHA milk vs. C. Supplementing MO mothers with DHA improves milk composition, especially LCPUFA content and ω-6/ω-3 ratio reducing offspring anxiety in a sex-dependent manner.

Gender status effect on carcass and meat quality traits of feedlot Angus × Nellore cattle.

The study evaluated the effect of gender status on carcass and meat quality of feedlot Angus × Nellore cattle. A total of 176 cattle, 20 months old, were confined for 190-days and assigned to four treatments: bulls, immunocastrated, steers, and heifers. Bulls had greater rib eye area and HCW (p = 0.0001). Heifers had increased fat thickness (p = 0.0001). Steers and heifers had higher marbling scores (p = 0.0001). There was interaction between gender and aging time for Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (p = 0.0002), L* (p = 0.0118), and b* (p = 0.0113) values of beef. The sensory panel results showed that beef from bulls had the lowest consumer overall acceptance (p = 0.0278). Especially, regardless tenderness, steers and immunocastrated beef were considered tender, independent of aging time. Beef produced by heifers, steers, and immunocastrated is considered to be of higher quality than bulls. Thus, it is may be an interesting alternative to produce high-quality beef than bulls, to attend the consumer demand for high-quality products. Additionally, the low fatty acids n6 levels and low n6:n3 ratio, high levels of CLA, MUFAs, and oleic acid suggests that the heifer meat is favorable for human health.

Perfil lipidico de produtos comercializados como fonte de omega 3 / Lipid profile of products with fatty acids omega 3

O presente estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o perfil lipídico de produtos comercializados como enriquecidos com ácidos graxos ω3. Foi realizada a extração, esterificação e determinação cromatográfica dos ácidos graxos. Foram encontradas maiores concentrações dos ácidos graxos (C18:2ω6c), total de ácidos graxos ω6 e maior relação ω6/ ω3 para margarina. O salmão apresentou os maiores valores para os ácidos graxos C18:1ω9C, C18:3ω3 e total de monoinsaturados. Nas avaliações do suplemento foram encontradas as maiores concentrações dos ácidos graxos C20:5ω3 (EPA), C22:6ω3 (DHA) e total de ω3. Nos alimentos que são enriquecidos com ω3, a quantidade de EPA e DHA são baixas, sendo maiores de ácido linolênico (C18:3ω3). Nutricionalmente o suplemento de EPA e DHA e o salmão foram as melhores fontes de ácidos graxos ω3. E, todos os produtos apresentaram bons índices de aterogenicidade e trombogenicidade.(AU)

Omega-3 and Omega-6 salivary fatty acids as markers of dietary fat quality: A cross-sectional study in Argentina.

The use of saliva for analyzing biological compounds has recently been expanded. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between specific dietary sources of n3 and n6 fatty acids (FA) and their salivary levels to evaluate their role as intake markers. Seventynine healthy volunteers were included. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used for data collection and Interfood v.1.3 software was employed to quantify food intake. Salivary samples were collected following international standards and FA profile was determined by gas liquidchromatography. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed for dependent variables (salivary FA profile) to detect independent associations with n3 and n6 FA food source intake, adjusted by age, gender, bodymass index, total energy intake, regular exercise, alcohol intake and smoking. Salivary concentrations of alphalinolenic acid (ALA) 18:3 n3 were significantly associated with nuts intake (ß=0.05, 95% CI 0.020.07, p=0.04). Salivary concentrations of linoleic acid (LA) 18:2 n6 and arachidonic acid (AA) 20:4 n6 were associated with the intake of n6 vegetable oils and red meat, cold meat and viscera (ß=0.80, 95% CI 0.060.09 p=0.03; ß=0.40, 95% CI 0.300.50, p=0.02, respectively). This study supports the hypothesis that salivary concentrations of n3 and n6 FA are related to food intake. Monitoring dietary FA though salivary markers is relevant for nutrition epidemiology and for prevention and management of several diseases related to fat intake.

El uso de biomarcadores salivales está en continua expansión. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la asociación entre fuentes alimentarias de ácidos grasos (AG) n3 y n6 y sus concentraciones salivales como marcador de ingesta. Parti ci paron 79 voluntarios sanos. Se aplicó un cuestionario validado de frecuencia de consumo alimentario y el software Interfood v.1.3 para su procesa miento. Las muestras saliva les se recogieron según estándares internacionales y se determinó el perfil de AG salivales por cromatografía gaseosa. Se desarrolló un modelo de regresión lineal múltiple ajustado por sexo, edad, índice de masa corporal, valor energético total, actividad física, consumo de tabaco y alcohol para analizar la asociación entre el perfil de AG salivales y la ingesta de alimentos fuente de AG n3 y n6. Las concentraciones salivales del AG alfalinolénico (ALA) 18:3 n3 se asociaron positivamente con la ingesta de nueces (ß=0.05, IC 95% 0.020.07, p=0.04), mientras que las concentraciones salivales de ácido linoleico (AL) 18:2 n6 y araquidónico (AA) 20:4 n6 se asociaron con el consumo de aceites ricos en n6 (ß=0.80, 95% IC 0.060.09 p=0.03) y de carnes rojas, fiambres y embutidos y vísceras, (ß=0.40, IC 95% 0.300.50, p=0.02). De acuerdo a estos resultados, las concen traciones salivales de AG n3 y n6 se relacionan a la ingesta de sus alimentos fuente. El monitoreo de la ingesta lipídica a través de biomarcadores salivales constituye un aporte a la epidemiología nutricional y a la prevención y tratamiento de patologías vinculadas a la ingesta de grasas.

Maternal and postnatal high-fat diets with high ω6 : ω3 ratios affect the reproductive performance of male offspring in the mouse.

High-fat diets (HFDs) are an acknowledged risk factor for male subfertility, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study we compared the effects of two HFDs with different ω6:ω3 ratios, one enriched with soy oil (SOD; ω6:ω3=9.62) and another enriched with sunflower oil (SFOD; ω6:ω3=51.55), with those of a commercial diet (CD; ω6:ω3=19.87), supplied from pregnancy to adulthood, on morphometric parameters and reproductive performance in adult male mice (recommended ω6:ω3 for rodents=1-6). Bodyweight was significantly higher in the SFOD than CD group, and relative testicular weight was significantly lower in the SFOD than the other two groups. SFOD altered sperm performance: it reduced sperm viability (mean±s.e.m.; 76.00±1.35% vs 82.50±1.45% and 80.63±1.00% in the SFOD vs CD and SOD groups respectively; P<0.05) and increased the percentage of immature spermatozoa (71.88±7.17% vs 51.38±5.87% and 48.00±5.72% in the SFOD vs CD and SOD groups respectively; P<0.05). The epididymal ω6:ω3 ratio was higher in the SFOD versus CD and SOD groups, whereas the unsaturation index was higher in the SOD and SFOD groups than in CD group. Sperm membrane integrity was diminished in both the SOD and SFOD groups, but there was no difference in sperm reactive oxygen species production in these two groups compared with the CD group. The fertilisation rate was lower in the SFOD compared with the CD and SOD groups. In conclusion, although both HFDs affected sperm quality, the fertilising ability was more altered by the excessive dietary ω6:ω3 ratio than by the net ω6 content.

Erythrocytes and Skeletal Muscle Unsaturated and Omega-6 Fatty Acids Are Positively Correlated after Caloric Restriction and Exercise.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional intervention studies with fatty acid (FA) supplements assess the efficacy of the intervention by measuring the changes in erythrocyte membrane lipid profiles reflected in tissue composition changes. The aim was to determine the effects of caloric restriction (CR) on erythrocytes lipid composition and to compare and correlate these changes with skeletal muscle acid profiles after CR. METHODS: Erythrocytes were obtained from 11 healthy men before and after 4 weeks of 33% CR in post-exercise conditions; muscle biopsies were obtained from the same athletes after 4 weeks of 33% CR in post-exercise conditions. Samples were used for FA determination by chromatography. RESULTS: CR significantly modified erythrocyte FAs composition. Skeletal muscle FA profile was significantly different from that for the erythrocytes. The erythrocyte FA profile was more saturated (52.1 ± 1.5% and 32.8 ± 0.9%, respectively) and less monounsaturated (21.0 ± 0.8% and 39.0 ± 2.0%, respectively) than the skeletal muscle FA profile and similarly polyunsaturated. CONCLUSIONS: CR modifies erythrocyte lipid composition, mainly omega-6 FAs. Erythrocyte monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and omega-6 FAs, but not the saturated and omega-3 FAs, were significantly positively correlated with skeletal muscle FAs. There is a discordance between saturated and omega-3 FAs from erythrocyte and from muscle, but monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and omega-6 fatty acids are positively correlated.

Effect of dietary supplementation with omega-3 and -6 on fresh and frozen/thawed sperm quality of dogs / Efeito da suplementação na dieta com ômega-3 e -6 sobre a qualidade do sêmen fresco e congelado de cães

For years, fatty acids have been recommended as a dietary supplement to improve canine hair. For animal reproduction, supplementation with omegas has been used to increase the reproductive efficiency and conception rate, but few studies have been conducted in dogs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of daily dietary supplementation with omega-3 and -6 on the quality of fresh and frozen/thawed semen in canines. Semen was collected from seven dogs and evaluated for sperm motility, vigor, concentration, and morphology. The 17-week study included 119 ejaculates and was divided according to oral supplementation with omega-3 and -6: M1 (1st-5th week) or pre-supplementation; M2 (6th-9th week) and M3 (10th-13th week) or during supplementation; and M4 (14th-17th week) or post-supplementation. After analysis, the semen was frozen and then revaluated both immediately and 30 minutes (at 37 C) after thawing. Supplementation with omegas increased sperm motility, vigor, and concentration; however, supplementation had no influence on semen freezability. In addition, there was no improvement in sperm motility after supplementation when the thawed cells were maintained at 37 C for 30 minutes. We concluded that dietary supplementation with omega-3 and -6 for 4 to 8 weeks can improve the quality of fresh semen, although it has no effect on the freezability of canine semen.(AU)

Os ácidos graxos têm sido recomendados há anos como suplemento dietético para a melhora do pelo canino. Na área de reprodução animal, a suplementação com ômega tem sido usada para aumentar a eficiência reprodutiva e a taxa de concepção em muitas espécies, mas poucos estudos foram conduzidos em cães. Então, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da suplementação dietética diária com ômega-3 e -6 sobre a qualidade do sêmen fresco e congelado de cães. Os ejaculados foram colhidos de 7 cães e avaliados quanto a motilidade espermática, vigor, concentração e morfologia. O estudo foi dividido de acordo com os períodos de suplementação oral com omegas-3 e -6, no qual M1 (1ª-5ª semana) foi considerado o período pré-suplementação, M2 (6ª-9ª semana) e M3 (10ª-13ª semana) período de suplementação e M4 (14ª-17ª semana) pós-suplementação, totalizando 17 semanas de estudo (119 ejaculados). Após a análise, o sêmen foi congelado e reavaliado imediatamente e 30 minutos após a descongelação (mantidas a 37º C). A suplementação resultou em aumento da motilidade espermática, vigor e concentração do sêmen fresco; no entanto, não houve influência na congelabilidade do sêmen. Além disso, não houve aumento da motilidade dos espermatozoides após a suplementação, quando as células descongeladas foram mantidas a 37 C, durante 30 minutos. Concluiu-se que a suplementação dietética com omegas-3 e -6, durante 4 a 8 semanas melhora os parâmetros do sêmen fresco de cães, embora não há nenhum efeito sobre a qualidade espermática após a congelação.(AU)

Increased dietary levels of α-linoleic acid inhibit mammary tumor growth and metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether α-linolenic acid (ALA ω-3 fatty acid) enriched diet affects growth parameters when applied to a syngeneic model of mammary carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BALB/c mice were divided and fed with: 1) a chia oil diet, rich in ALA or 2) a corn oil diet, rich in linoleic acid (LA ω-6 fatty acid). Mice were subcutaneously inoculated with a tumor cell line LM3, derived from a murine mammary adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: After 35 days, tumor incidence, weight, volume and metastasis number were lower in the ALA-fed mice, while tumor latency time was higher, and the release of pro-tumor metabolites derived from ω-6 fatty acids decreased in the tumor. Compared to the control group, a lower number of mitosis, a higher number of apoptotic bodies and higher T-lymphocyte infiltration were consistently observed in the ALA group. An ALA-rich diet decreased the estrogen receptor (ER) α expression, a recognized breast cancer promotor while showing an opposite effect on ERß in tumor lysates. CONCLUSION: These data support the anticancer effect of an ALA-enriched diet, which might be used as a dietary strategy in breast cancer prevention.

Effect of abomasal or ruminal administration of citrus pulp and soybean oil on milk fatty acid profile and antioxidant properties.

Soybean oil (SBO) is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA) and rumen bypass of SBO can contribute to increase the polyunsaturated FA proportion in milk fat. Citrus pulp (CPP) is a source of antioxidants but there is little information on the effects of CP administration on milk properties. This study was performed to determine the role of rumen microorganisms in the transfer of antioxidants from CPP into milk when cows receive SBO as a source of polyunsaturated FA. Four ruminally fistulated lactating Holstein cows were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: (1) SBO administered in the rumen; (2) SBO infused in the abomasum; (3) SBO + CPP administered in the rumen; and (4) SBO + CPP infused in the abomasum. Product and site of administration had no effect on yield of milk components. Concentrations of total polyphenols and flavonoids, reducing power and production of conjugated diene (CD) hydroperoxides in milk were not affected by products, but infusion in the abomasum compared with administration in the rumen increased production of CD. Milk fat FA profile was not affected by products. However, cows infused in the abomasum compared with those administered in the rumen showed lower proportions of short-chain and monounsaturated FA and higher proportions of polyunsaturated, omega 3 and omega 6 FA in milk fat, which resulted in enhanced health-promoting index of milk. Administration of SBO and CPP (0.2 + 1.0 kg/d) in the rumen or the abomasum resulted in similar milk antioxidant properties, thus suggesting that the rumen microbes have little involvement in the metabolism of antioxidants from CPP.

Comparison of the physico-chemical and phytochemical characteristics of the oil of two Plukenetia species.

A physico-chemical and phytochemical characterisation of the oil of two rich sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols and phytosterols is presented for two close species of Plukenetia, endemic to the Amazon Region of Peru. Plukenetia huayllabambana presented approximately 9% more oil yield than Plukenetia volubilis. Fatty acid profiles were pretty similar for both species but P. huayllabambana presented a significantly higher content of α-linolenic acid than P. volubilis (51.3 and 45.6 g/100 g oil, respectively). Important contents of γ- and δ-tocopherol were evidenced in both oils (127.6 and 84.0 and, 93.3 and 47.5 mg/100 g oil, for P. volubilis and P. huayllabambana, respectively). ß-Sitosterol was the most important and representative phytosterol in both oils (∼127 mg/100 g oil). The results of this study indicate P. huayllabambana as an important dietary source of health promoting phytochemicals.

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).

Antiperoxidative properties of oil mixes of high ratio Omega-9: Omega-6 and low ratio Omega-6: Omega-3 after molar extraction in rats

To evaluate the antioxidant and antiperoxidative effects of oil mixes of high ratio Omega-9:Omega-6 and low ratio Omega-6:Omega-3 in the third day after tooth extraction in rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats (270-310g) were randomly distributed in two groups: Control (n=24) and Test (n=8). Control group was divided into three subgroups (n=8): G1: Sham-Saline; G2: Saline; G3: Isolipid. G1 and G2 animals received NaCl 0.9% while G3 rats were treated with an isolipid mixture (alpha-linolenic acid - ALA) containing -6/-3 oils (8:1 ratio) and-9/-6 (0.4:1 ratio). Test group animals (G4) received oily mixtures (alpha-linolenic acid - ALA, docosahexaenoic acid - DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid - EPA) of -6/-3 (1.4:1 ratio) and -9/-6 (3.4:1 ratio). Saline and oils were administered by gavage during four days before and three days after first mandibular molar extraction. Following, samples (arterial blood and alveolar mucosa) were collected for glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assays. Oil mixes induced a significant decrease in GSH and TBARS tissue and plasma concentrations in the third day post-surgery. Gavage administration of oil mixes of high ratio Omega-9:Omega-6 and low ratio Omega-6:Omega-3 after molar extraction in rats induces a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation.(AU)

Nutritional composition of the meat of Hereford and Braford steers finished on pastures or in a feedlot in southern Brazil.

Chemical and mineral composition and the intramuscular fatty acid (IMF) profile of the Longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) of 60 purebred Hereford, 1/4 Braford and 3/8 Braford steers finished either in a feedlot or on improved pastures of the Pampa biome were evaluated. Pastures were improved with the introduction of Lolium multiflorum, Trifolium repens, and Lotus corniculatus. On average, beef from pasture-fed steers presented higher concentrations of the fatty acids C18:3n-3 (P<0.001), C20:3n-3 (P=0.035), total n-3 (P<0.001) and lower n-6/n-3 ratio (P<0.001) in the IMF, and higher Mg and lower K content in muscle relative to those finished in the feedlot. C12:0 concentration in IMF was higher (P=0.027) for 3/8 Braford than the purebred Hereford steers, whereas purebred Herefords presented lower C14:1 (P=0.003) and higher C18:0 (P=0.022) concentrations than the two Braford groups. The meat composition of purebred Hereford and Braford steers was not substantially different; however, beef produced exclusively on improved pastures presented higher concentration of components that are considered beneficial to human health, such as n-3 fatty acids, and a lower n-6/n-3 ratio.

[Acceptance of handmade products containing nuts and fructooligosaccharides]. / Aceptación de productos artesanales formulados con nueces y fructooligosacáridos.

INTRODUCTION: Prebiotic and food with functional properties are beneficial for consumers through prevention of many diseases. AIM: Verify the acceptance of handmade product (chocolate bar, soy sweet and sweet bread) formulated based on oil seeds (flaxseed, peanut and Brazil nut) and or fructooligosaccharides (FOS). METHODS: Four samples of each handmade product were prepared adding different concentrations of oil seed and FOS. The sensory evaluation was performed by a sample of 373 consumers; 126, 121 and 126 tasters of chocolate bar, soy sweet and sweet bread, respectively, using a hedonic scale of nine points. The results were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Observing the trials averages, we inferred that samples of sweet bread with Brazil nut and/or FOS had the greater acceptance. However, all the samples are good market alternatives because they had presented averages between 6 and 9 points, and conferred accretion of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, protein, fiber, antioxidant vitamins and minerals, as well as, phytochemicals, which plays an important role in health promotion. CONCLUSION: The handmade products formulated based on oil seeds and FOS had good acceptance and can improve the consumer dietary patterns. But, in order to prove the functionality of these products, new studies should be performed.

Introducción: Los prebióticos y alimentos con propiedades funcionales proporcionan beneficios para la salud de los consumidores a través de la prevención de muchas enfermedades. Objetivo: Verificar la aceptación de productos artesanales (chocolate en barra, dulce de soja y pan dulce) formulados con nueces (linaza, maní y nueces de Brasil) y, o fructooligosacáridos (FOS). Métodos: Cuatro muestras de cada producto fueron preparados con adición de diferentes concentraciones de nueces y FOS. La evaluación sensorial se realizó mediante una muestra de 373 consumidores, con 126, 121 y 126 probadores para muestras de chocolate en barra, dulce de soja y pan dulce, respectivamente, utilizándose la escala hedónica de nueve puntos. Los resultados fueron sometidos a Análisis de Varianza (ANOVA) y el test de Tukey. Resultados y Discusión: Observándose las medias de los juzgamientos, se infiere que las muestras con mayor aceptación han sido de pan dulce con nueces de Brasil y, o FOS. Sin embargo, todas las muestras son buenas alternativas de mercado y se lo mostró un promedio de entre 6 y 9 puntos, más un aumento de ácidos grasos omega 3 y 6, proteínas, fibras, vitaminas, antioxidantes y minerales, así como fitoquímicos, los cuales desempeñan un papel importante en la promoción de la salud. Conclusión: Los productos artesanales formulados con oleaginosas y, o FOS tuvieron una buena aceptabilidad y pueden mejorar los hábitos alimentarios de los consumidores. Pero para probar la funcionalidad de estos productos, se necesitan nuevos estudios.

Meat quality attributes of the Longissimus lumborum muscle of the Kh'ara genotype of llama (Lama glama) reared extensively in northern Chile.

Twenty male llama of the Kh'ara genotype, reared extensively in the north of Chile, were slaughtered at ages between 2 and 4 permanent teeth (2 to 3.5years) and analyses were carried out on the Longissimus lumborum muscle, including composition (moisture, fat, protein, ash, cholesterol, amino acids, fatty acid profile and collagen content) and meat quality parameters (pH, color, water holding capacity and Warner-Bratzler shear-force). Llama meat was characterized by a low cholesterol (39.04mg/100g) and intramuscular fat (1.56%) content, a total collagen content of 6.28mg/g, of which 20.28% was soluble collagen. Amino acid composition and fatty acid profile were similar to those found for beef finished on forage. Llama meat showed a low n-6/n-3 (4.69) and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (1.55) ratio and acceptable values of DFA (65.78%). Quality parameters in llama Longissimus muscle were within the ranges reported for more traditional meats such as beef and lamb.

Higher de novo synthesized fatty acids and lower omega3- and omega6-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in umbilical vessels of women with preeclampsia and high fish intakes.

Umbilical veins (UV) and arteries (UA) of preeclamptic women in Curaçao harbor lower long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP). The present aim was to test these findings in Mwanza (Tanzania), whose inhabitants have high LCPomega3 and LCPomega6 intakes from Lake Victoria fish. Women with preeclampsia (n=28) in Mwanza had lower PUFA and higher 20:0 in UV and UA, compared with normotensive/non-proteinuric controls (n=31). Their UV 22:6omega3, 22:4omega6, LCPomega6, omega6, and LCPomega3+omega6 were lower, while saturated FA, potentially de novo synthesized FA (Sigmade novo) and (Sigmade novo)/(LCPomega3+omega6) ratio were higher. Their UA had higher 16:1omega7, omega7, 18:0, and 16:1omega7/16:0. Umbilical vessels in Mwanza had higher 22:6omega3, LCPomega3, omega3, and 16:0, and lower 22:5omega6, 20:2omega6, 18:1omega9, and omega9, compared to those in Curaçao. Preeclampsia in both Mwanza and Curaçao is characterized by lower LCP and higher Sigmade novo. An explanation of this might be placental dysfunction, while the similarity of umbilical vessel FA-abnormalities in preeclamptic and diabetic pregnancies suggests insulin resistance as a common denominator.

Erythrocyte membrane and plasma non-esterified n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids of pregnant and non-pregnant Brazilian adolescents.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of pregnancy in adolescents on the fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane, which was used as a proxy for status of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and also on the composition of plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) mobilized from the adipose tissue. Two matched groups of healthy adolescents (14-19 years) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were compared: pregnant (n=26; 32.7+/-3.9 weeks of gestation, mean+/-SD) and non-pregnant (n=20). Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast. Mean dietary intakes of total fat and n-3 and n-6 PUFA (energy %) were not different between pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents, and the consumption of food sources of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was low. Fasting total NEFA and NEFA 18:2n-6, 18:3n-6 and 20:4n-6 (g/100g fatty acids) were higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant adolescents. Although erythrocyte 20:4n-6 was lower in pregnant adolescents, there were no differences in DHA (g/100g fatty acids), in DHA status indices (22:5n-6/22:4n-6 and 22:6n-3/22:5n-6 ratios) and in the index of n-3+n-6 PUFA status ([Sigman-3+Sigman-6]/[Sigman-7+Sigman-9]) in erythrocytes as compared with those of non-pregnant adolescents. In conclusion, pregnancy did not have an adverse effect on erythrocyte DHA content or on DHA and n-3+n-6 PUFA status indices in the adolescents studied.

Effects of weight loss on liver and erythrocyte polyunsaturated fatty acid pattern and oxidative stress status in obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Our aim was to study the influence of weight loss on the fatty acid (FA) composition of liver and erythrocyte phospholipids and oxidative stress status in obese, non-alcoholic, fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. Seven obese NAFLD patients who underwent subtotal gastrectomy with a gastro-jejunal anastomosis in roux and Y were studied immediately and 3 months after surgery. Seven non-obese patients who underwent anti-reflux surgery constituted the control group. Serum F2-isoprostane levels were measured by GS/NICI-MS/MS and FA composition was determined by GC. At the time of surgery, controls and obese patients exhibited a hepatic polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) pattern that correlated with that of erythrocytes. Three months after surgery, NAFLD patients lost 21% of initial body weight; serum F2-isoprostane levels decreased by 76%; total PUFA, long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA), n-3 PUFA, and n-3 LCPUFA increased by 22, 29, 81, and 93%, respectively; n-6/n-3 LCPUFA ratio decreased by 51%; docosahexaenoic acid/docosapentaenoic acid ratio increased by 19-fold; and the n-3 product/precursor ratio (20: 5 + 22: 5 + 22: 6)/18: 3 increased by 164% (p<0.05). It is concluded that weight loss improves the n-3 LCPUFA status of obese patients in association with significant amelioration in the biomarkers of oxidative stress, membrane FA insaturation, and n-3 LCPUFA biosynthesis capacity, thus representing a central therapeutic issue in the improvement of obesity-related metabolic alterations involved in the mechanism of hepatic steatosis.

Essential and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status and fatty acid composition of breast milk of lactating adolescents.

The aims of the present study were to evaluate essential fatty acids (EFA) and long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) status in lactating adolescents and its association with breast milk composition. Healthy nursing adolescents from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (n 30; 14-19 years; 30-120 d postpartum), exclusively or predominantly breast-feeding, participated in this study. Breast milk and blood samples were collected after overnight fasting. Fatty acid composition of breast milk, erythrocyte membrane (EM) and plasma NEFA were determined by GC. Indices of fatty acid status (mean melting point (MMP); EFA status index; DHA status indices, 22 : 5n-6:22 : 4n-6 and 22 : 6n-3:22 : 5n-6 ratios) were calculated from EM fatty acid composition. Dietary intake of n-3 fatty acids was low when compared with current recommendations for lactating women. MMP was associated with indices of DHA status, some individual fatty acids in EM and years post-menarche and weeks postpartum, suggesting the use of erythrocyte MMP as a possible comprehensive biochemical marker of LCPUFA status in this physiological condition. The DHA status of lactating adolescents and their milk DHA concentrations were similar to the values of Brazilian lactating adults, but lower compared with the values of lactating adults from other countries. Therefore, these lactating adolescents were apparently not disadvantaged, as compared with the Brazilian adults, when EM and breast milk fatty acid composition were considered. In general, PUFA in milk from adolescents presented few associations with their concentrations in plasma NEFA and with maternal status. However, milk DHA was associated with maternal LCPUFA and DHA states.