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Biomedical subjects

Ghafoorunissa

Publications and source records attributed to Ghafoorunissa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Substituting dietary linoleic acid with alpha-linolenic acid improves insulin sensitivity in sucrose fed rats.

This study describes the effect of substituting dietary linoleic acid (18:2 n-6) with alpha-linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) on sucrose-induced insulin resistance (IR). Wistar NIN male weanling rats were fed casein based diet containing 22 energy percent (en%) fat with approximately 6, 9 and 7 en% saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) respectively for 3 months. IR was induced by replacing starch (ST) with sucrose (SU). Blends of groundnut, palmolein, and linseed oil in different proportions furnished the following levels of 18:3 n-3 (g/100 g diet) and 18:2 n-6/18:3 n-3 ratios respectively: ST-220 (0.014, 220), SU-220 (0.014, 220), SU-50 (0.06, 50), SU-10 (0.27, 10) and SU-2 (1.1, 2). The results showed IR in the sucrose fed group (SU-220) as evidenced by increase in fasting plasma insulin and area under the curve (AUC) of insulin in response to oral glucose load. In SU-220, the increase in adipocyte plasma membrane cholesterol/phospholipid ratio was associated with a decrease in fluidity, insulin stimulated glucose transport, antilipolytic effect of insulin and increase in basal and norepinephrine stimulated lipolysis in adipocytes. In SU-50, sucrose induced alterations in adipocyte lipolysis and antilipolysis were normalized. However, in SU-2, partial corrections in plasma insulin, AUC of insulin and adipocyte insulin stimulated glucose transport were observed. Further, plasma triglycerides and cholesterol decreased in SU-2. In diaphragm phospholipids, the observed dose dependent increase in long chain (LC) n-3 PUFA was associated with a decrease in LC-n-6 PUFA but insulin stimulated glucose transport increased only in SU-2. Thus, this study shows that the substitution of one-third of dietary 18:2 n-6 with 18:3 n-3 (SU-2) results in lowered blood lipid levels and increases peripheral insulin sensitivity, possibly due to the resulting high LCn-3 PUFA levels in target tissues of insulin action. These findings suggest a role for 18:3 n-3 in the prevention of insulin resistant states. The current recommendation to increase 18:3 n-3 intake for reducing cardiovascular risk may also be beneficial for preventing IR in humans.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed2005

Dietary trans fatty acids alter diaphragm phospholipid fatty acid composition, triacylglycerol content and glucose transport in rats.

The present study evaluates the effect of dietary trans fatty acids on diaphragm phospholipid fatty acid composition, intramyocellular triacylglycerol content and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in comparison with dietary saturated fatty acids. Male weanling WNIN rats were divided into three groups and fed for 3 months on one of the following diets containing 10 % oil differing in fatty acid composition: control diet, saturated fatty acid diet and trans fatty acid diet. Dietary trans fatty acids increased the intramyocellular triacylglycerols and decreased the ratio of 20 : 4n-6 to 18 : 2n-6 and long-chain PUFA levels (20 %) in diaphragm phospholipids, indicating inhibition of PUFA biosynthesis. However, saturated fatty acids decreased both 18 : 2n-6 and 20 : 4n-6 without change in the ratio. Trans fatty acid-induced alterations in diaphragm phospholipid fatty acid composition and intramyocellular triacylglycerol content were associated with decreased insulin-stimulated glucose transport in the diaphragm. These observations suggest that dietary trans fatty acids decrease diaphragm insulin sensitivity, possibly due to increased intramyocellular triacylglycerol accumulation and decreased long-chain PUFA in phospholipids.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Dietary (n-3) long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids prevent sucrose-induced insulin resistance in rats.

This study was designed to determine the effect of substituting (n-3) long-chain PUFAs (LCPUFAs) for linoleic acid and hence decreasing the (n-6):(n-3) fatty acid ratio on sucrose-induced insulin resistance in rats. Weanling male Wistar rats were fed casein-based diets containing 100 g/kg fat for 12 wk. Insulin resistance was induced by replacing starch (ST) with sucrose (SU). The dietary fats were formulated with groundnut oil, palmolein, and fish oil to provide the following ratios of (n-6):(n-3) fatty acids: 210 (ST-210, SU-210), 50 (SU-50), 10 (SU-10), and 5 (SU-5). Compared with starch (ST-210), sucrose feeding (SU-210) significantly increased the plasma insulin and triglyceride concentrations and the plasma insulin area under the curve (AUC) in response to an oral glucose load. Adipocytes isolated from rats fed SU-210 had greater lipolytic rate, lower insulin stimulated glucose transport, and lower insulin-mediated antilipolysis than those from rats fed ST-210. Decreasing the dietary (n-6):(n-3) ratio in sucrose-fed rats (SU-10 and SU-5) normalized the plasma insulin concentration and the AUC of insulin after a glucose load. The sucrose-induced increase in plasma triglyceride concentration was normalized in rats fed SU-50, SU-10 and SU-5. Further, sucrose-induced alterations in adipocyte lipolysis and antilipolysis were partially reversed and glucose transport improved in rats fed diets SU-5 and SU-10. In diaphragm phospholipids, decreasing the (n-6):(n-3) ratio in the diet increased the concentration of (n-3) LCPUFAs with concomitant decreases in the concentration of (n-6) LCPUFAs. These results suggest that (n-3) LCPUFAs at a level of 2.6 g/kg diet [0.56% energy (n-3) LCPUFAs, (n-6):(n-3) ratio = 10] may prevent sucrose-induced insulin resistance by improving peripheral insulin sensitivity.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed2005

Differential effects of dietary saturated and trans-fatty acids on expression of genes associated with insulin sensitivity in rat adipose tissue.

OBJECTIVE: Trans-fatty acids (TFAs) are formed during partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils and are shown to be more atherogenic than saturated fatty acids (SFAs). Our previous study showed that dietary TFAs decrease adipose tissue insulin sensitivity to a greater extent than SFAs in rats. We hypothesized that the effects of these fatty acids on insulin sensitivity could be mediated through an alteration in gene expression. In the current study we have investigated the effects of dietary TFAs or SFAs on expression of genes associated with insulin sensitivity in rat adipose tissue. DESIGN AND METHODS: Male weanling Wistar/NIN rats were divided into four groups and fed one of the following diets containing 10% fat (g/100 g diet) differing only in the fatty acid composition for 3 months: control diet (3.7% linoleic acid (LA)), SFA diet (5% SFA), TFA diet 1 (1.5% TFA + 1% LA) and TFA diet 2 (1.5% TFA + 2% LA). The mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4), resistin and adiponectin was analyzed in epididymal fat using RT-PCR. The effects of TFA were studied at two levels of LA to understand the beneficial effects of LA over the effects of TFA. RESULTS: Both dietary SFA and TFA upregulated the mRNA levels of resistin. Dietary SFA downregulated adiponectin and GLUT4 and upregulated LPL, while TFA downregulated PPARgamma and LPL. The effects of dietary TFA on PPARgamma and resistin were not counteracted by increased LA (TFA diet 2). CONCLUSION: The effects of SFAs on the aforementioned genes except PPARgamma could be extrapolated towards decreased insulin sensitivity, while only the alteration in the mRNA levels of PPARgamma and resistin could be associated with insulin resistance in TFA-fed rats. These findings suggest that dietary SFAs and TFAs alter the expression of different genes associated with insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue.

Adiponectin↗
PubMed2004

Sesame lignans enhance antioxidant activity of vitamin E in lipid peroxidation systems.

The antioxidant properties of sesame lignans (sesamol, sesamin and sesamolin) were evaluated in comparison to tocols (alpha- and gamma-tocopherols and alpha-tocotrienol) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) using the following in vitro lipid peroxidation systems: (i) rat liver microsomes and cumene hydroperoxide (CumOOH)/Fe2+-ADP-NADPH (enzymatic) or (ii) rat liver mitochondria and Fe2+-ascorbate (nonenzymatic) systems. Sesamol containing a free phenolic group inhibited lipid peroxidation in both the systems whereas sesamin and sesamolin having methylenedioxy groups were effective only in the microsomal system. Since detoxifying enzymes are localized in microsomes, the inhibitory effects of sesamin and sesamolin observed in the microsomal system may be attributed to their metabolites. However, the inhibitory effects of lignans were lower than tocols and BHT. Combination of individual lignans and tocopherols (alpha, gamma) or alpha-tocotrienol showed higher inhibitory effects than the sum of individual inhibitions in CumOOH and Fe2+-ascorbate systems suggesting synergistic interactions. The time course of CumOOH-mediated lipid peroxidation showed a lag period and a decreased rate of thiobarbituric acid reactive product formation in the presence of individual lignans in combination with alpha-tocopherol suggesting recycling of alpha-tocopherol.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Dietary sesame oils inhibits iron-induced oxidative stress in rats [corrected].

The high stability of sesame oil against oxidative deterioration is attributed to lignans in its non-glycerol fraction. The present study evaluates the effects of feeding sesame lignans (sesamin and sesamolin) on Fe2+-induced oxidative stress in rats. Three groups, each of sixteen male weanling WNIN rats, were fed diets containing 200 g casein/kg and l00 g oil/kg (group 1, groundnut oil; group 2, sesame oil; group 3,sesame oil + sesamin (0.4 g/kg). After 45 d of feeding, eight rats from each group were injected with saline (9 g Na Cl/l, controls) intraperitoneally while the remaining eight rats were injected with 30 mg Fe2+/kg body weight as ferrous sulfate in normal saline. The animals were killed after 90 min to evaluate hepatic function and antioxidant status. Compared with those fed groundnut oil (group 1), sesame oil-fed rats(groups 2 and 3) had lower levels of hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, serum glutamate:oxaloacetate transaminase activities and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase activities, indicating protection against Fe-induced oxidative stress. Despite similar tocopherol levels in the three diets, hepatic a-tocopherol levels were higher in rats fed the sesame-oil diets (groups 2 and 3) compared with controls (group 1).However, activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) were significantly (P< 0-05) increased only in rats fed higher levels of lignans (group 3). These observations suggest that sesame lignans may have sparing effects on tocopherols. The increased bioavailability of tocopherols in the presence of dietary lignans might be due to the regeneration of oxidized tocopherols. The synergistic effects of lignans with tocols has nutritional and therapeutic implications.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed2002

Effects of dietary alpha-linolenic acid from blended oils on biochemical indices of coronary heart disease in Indians.

PUFA of the n-6 and n-3 series have beneficial effects on key risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD). Our earlier studies on the intake of FA and on the FA composition of plasma and platelet phospholipids suggested the need to improve the n-3 PUFA nutritional status in the Indian population. The present long-term study was conducted on 80 middle-aged Indian subjects (40 men and 40 women) using the subjects' own home-prepared diets to evaluate the effects of dietary n-3 PUFA on biochemical indices of CHD risk. Substitution of Blend G (equal proportions of groundnut and canola oils) for groundnut oil or substitution of Blend S (equal proportions of sunflower and canola oils) for sunflower oil increased alpha-linolenic acid (ALNA) fourfold and decreased the linoleic acid (LA)/ALNA ratio from 35 to 6 and 65 to 9, respectively. Twelve subjects (six men and six women) who received Blend G were switched back to groundnut oil and were administered 0.3 g daily of long-chain (LC) n-3 PUFA from fish oil. At the end of the trial period for both blends in both sexes, plasma lipid and apolipoprotein levels had not changed, and ADP-induced aggregation had decreased. In plasma and platelet phospholipids, LA as well as LCn-3 PUFA had increased, suggesting competition between LA and ALNA for metabolism into the respective LC-PUFA. Fish oil supplementation increased LCn-3 PUFA in plasma and platelet phospholipids, decreased ADP-induced platelet aggregation, and increased plasma cholesterol. On the basis of the increased LCn-3 PUFA in plasma phospholipids, it was calculated that 0.75% energy (en%) (2.2 g) ALNA (from vegetable oils) may be required to increase LCn-3 PUFA to about the same extent as 0.1 en% (0.3 g) LCn-3 PUFA (from fish oils). Since both n-6 and n-3 PUFA play a critical role in fetal growth and development and in the programming of diet-related chronic diseases in adults, an improvement in the n-3 PUFA nutritional status in cereal-based diets through long-term use of cooking oils containing 25-40% LA and 4% ALNA may contribute to the prevention of CHD in Indians.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Synthesis and estimation of calorific value of a structured lipid-potential reduced calorie fat.

The majority of reduced calorie fats and fat substitutes available today, though similar in texture and flavor to natural fats, contain fatty acids that are not usually present in edible oils and fats and thus do not fully match the chemistry and functions of natural fats. For example, such products do not provide nutritionally important essential fatty acids (EFA). In this investigation, we prepared and evaluated a reduced calorie fat, prepared entirely from natural fats, taking advantage of the fact that long-chain saturated fatty acids (LCSFA), such as behenic acid (22:0), are poorly absorbed. Mustard oil (MO) and sunflower oil (SO) were used as substrates to yield a structured lipid (SL). The product, being derived from a natural vegetable oil, would thus provide EFA, as would a native fat, a feature not provided by the low-calorie fats available in the market. Erucic acid (22:1) was isolated from MO by a lipase (EC 3.1.1.3)-catalyzed reaction. It was then hydrogenated to behenic acid, the ethyl ester of which was subsequently enzymatically transesterified with SO to yield a plastic fat containing about 30-35% behenic acid. Absorption of this fat was studied in Wistar rats. In a preliminary single oral dose experiment, rats were fed equal amounts (2 mL) of SO and the SL. Plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) levels were estimated after 1, 2, and 3 h of feeding. The significantly lower concentration of plasma TAG in the 2-h sample, observed in the SL-fed group compared to the SO-fed group (P<0.001), indicated poor absorption of the SL. In order to estimate the calorific value of the SL, we conducted a restricted diet growth experiment over 21 d on weanling Wistar male rats with SO as caloric control. Diets for the test groups were modified by adding 5, 10, and 15% SO for the control groups, and 5 and 10% SL for the experimental groups. Food consumption of the test groups was restricted to 50% of the feed containing 5% SO that had been consumed by the ad libitum group the previous day. Body weights were recorded during the experiment. Calorific value of the SL was estimated by comparing the 21 st-d mean body weight gain of the control group with that of the experimental group. Estimated calorific value of the SL was 5.36 kcal/g. Most of the behenic acid fed was excreted, as indicated by the analysis of the fatty acids of plasma and fecal total lipid. A second growth experiment on ad libitum diet was conducted over 21 d on weanling Wistar male rats to compare the absorption behavior of the SL with that of natural oil. SO (10%) was added to the diet of the control group, and SL (10%) was added to the diet of the experimental group. Feed consumption, as well as body weights, was recorded during the experiment. The growth pattern of the experimental group was identical to that of the control group during the period of study. The mean feed intake (9.8 g/d/rat for the control group vs. 9.9 g/d/rat for the experimental group) indicated good palatability of the product. In conclusion, the enzymatically synthesized SL containing EFA and natural antioxidants has nutritional properties almost identical to those of natural fats, and can be used as a reduced calorie fat.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Requirements of dietary fats to meet nutritional needs & prevent the risk of atherosclerosis--an Indian perspective.

To arrive at the fat requirements for Indians, invisible fat and fatty acid compositions were determined in commonly consumed foods. Taking into account the WHO guidelines and the invisible fat intake of Indians, the visible fat requirements according to age, physical activity and physiological status were calculated. The data from both dietary and plasma fatty acids showed that while the requirements of linoleic acid (18:2 n-6, LA) were fully met due to their high levels in cereals and many vegetable oils, alpha-linolenic acid (18:3, n-3 ALNA) intakes were low. Long-term high intakes of ALNA or long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn-3 PUFA) reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Metabolic studies were therefore conducted in Indian subjects to investigate the effects of using fish oils (LC n-3 PUFA) and ALNA rich oils (canola oil and mustard oil, MO) in comparison to oils which have negligible ALNA (groundnut oil, GNO and palmolein, PO) on plasma lipids, essential fatty acid (EFA) status and platelet aggregation. The results showed that at a level of 6-7 energy per cent LA, about 0.2 to 0.5 energy per cent LC n-3 PUFA or 1.4 energy per cent ALNA produced anti-atherogenic effects. However, high levels of erucic acid (22:1, EA) present in MO prevented these beneficial effects. Since absolute levels as well as the ratio of n-6 to n-3 PUFA are essential for optimal health, the use of more than one oil (correct choice) is recommended. However, it is necessary to evaluate the long-term health benefits of the recommended oil combinations before permitting commercial preparation and endorsing health claims. Regular consumption of plants foods which are good sources of ALNA can also contribute to improving n-3 status. Non-vegetarians, however, have the choice of eating fish to accomplish this.

Dietary Fats↗
PubMed1996

Fats in Indian diets and their nutritional and health implications.

To arrive at rat requirements for Indians, the contribution of invisible fat should be determined. Total lipids were extracted from common Indian foods, and their fatty acid compositions were determined. This data and information on intake of various foods were used to estimate the contents of "invisible" fat and fatty acids in Indian diets. Taking into account World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and the invisible-fat intake of Indians, recommendations were made for lower and upper limits of visible fats. In the rural poor, the "visible"-fat intakes are much lower than estimated minimum requirements. Therefore, to meet the energy needs of low-income groups, particularly young children, visible-fat intakes must be increased to recommended levels. The urban high-income group, however, should reduce dietary fat. Data on intake of various fatty acids in total diet shows that even the recommended lower limit of oil can meet linoleic acid requirements. Intake of alpha-linolenic acid is low, however. Increase in dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) produces hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic effects. Effects of n-3 PUFA on blood lipids, platelet fatty acid composition, and platelet aggregation were therefore investigated in Indian subjects consuming cereal-based diets. Supplementation of fish oils (long-chain n-3 PUFA) as well as the use of rapeseed oil (alpha-linolenic acid) produced beneficial effects. Since the requirements of alpha-linolenic acid and/ or long-chain n-3 PUFA are related to linoleic acid intake, use of more than one oil (correct choice) is recommended for providing a balanced intake of various fatty acids. Analysis of Indian food showed that some foods are good sources of alpha-linolenic acid. Regular consumption of these foods can also improve the quality of fat in Indian diets. Nonvegetarians, however, have the choice of eating fish to accomplish this.

Dietary Fats↗
PubMed1995

Palmolein and groundnut oil have comparable effects on blood lipids and platelet aggregation in healthy Indian subjects.

Substitution of palmolein (POL) for groundnut oil (GNO) doubles saturated fatty acids and decreases by half the linoleic acid (18:2n-6) content of Indian diets. The effects of this substitution on selected parameters of cardiovascular risk and membrane functions were studied in middle-aged subjects. Both metabolic (short-term) and "in-home" (long-term) studies were conducted, and the subjects were crossed over from GNO to POL or vice versa. During both studies and in both sexes, blood pressure, plasma levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides and their distributions in various lipoprotein fractions were not altered. The lower 18:2n-6 and higher 16:0 intakes were reflected in fatty acid compositions of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides. However, the plasma and platelet phospholipid fatty acid patterns did not shift toward saturation. The observation that the levels of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in phospholipids were similar at the end of GNO and POL regimens indicates that 18:2n-6 furnished during POL regimen may be sufficient to maintain the levels of arachidonic acid in cell membranes. Platelet aggregation, erythrocyte membrane fluidity, and activity of Na+, K+ ATPase, a membrane-bound enzyme, were essentially similar at the end of the two oil regimens. These results indicate that POL is comparable to GNO and may not induce hypercholesterolemia in Indian subjects consuming cereal-based diets containing 30% total fat calories and low cholesterol.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Nutrition & health implications of palm oil in Indian diets.

To boost the edible oil production and attain self-sufficiency, one of the long-term strategies undertaken by the Indian government is promotion of palm oil production through oil palm cultivation. Compared to other traditional oils (except coconut oil) used in India, palm oil and palmolein have high saturated fatty acids and low linoleic acid levels. Studies conducted to evaluate the nutritional and health implications of substituting other oils with palmolein show that despite having low linoleic acid, the use of palm oil may not adversely affect the linoleic acid status of Indian population. Substitution of groundnut oil with palmolein in cereal based lactovegetarian diets providing about 30 per cent total fat calories, doubles the saturated fatty acids and reduces by half the linoleic acid content. The effects of this substitution in volunteers from the middle income group did not raise serum cholesterol and aggregability of platelets indicating that palm oil may not produce the deleterious effects associated with saturated fatty acids. The tocols present in palm oil are natural biological antioxidants and can therefore augment the antioxidant potential of Indian diets. Red palm oil is the richest natural source of carotenes which are powerful biological antioxidants. The major carotene in red palm oil is beta-carotene. Therefore, red palm oil can be used to prevent vitamin A deficiency which is widespread in India.

Cholesterol↗
PubMed1990

Availability of linoleic acid from cereal-pulse diets.

Cereals and pulses alone provide nearly two-thirds of the daily linoleic acid requirement in habitual Indian diets. Two-thirds of the lipids present in cereals is in bound form. To investigate to what extent the essential fatty acids (EFA) present in cereals and pulses are biologically available, weanling rats were fed rice-pulse based diets either without supplementation or supplemented with one of three vegetable oils--coconut, palmolein or groundnut oil. Plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition was used to assess the EFA status, with ratios of eicosatrienoic/arachidonic acids (20:3n-9/20:4n-6) above 0.2, indicating linoleic acid deficiency. In the unsupplemented group, the levels of linoleic and arachidonic acids were low as compared to the groundnut oil fed group. However, the ratio of 20:3n-9/20:4n-6 was less than 0.2, indicating that there was no linoleic acid deficiency. This shows that the linoleic acid present in rice and pulse may be readily available.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Fat and fatty acid contents of cereals and pulses and their relevance to Indian diets.

Invisible fat and fatty acid content of cereals and pulses were analysed by newer and more accurate methods. In all cereals (except ragi) and in all pulses (except black gram) linoleic acid (18:2 n-6) was the major fatty acid. On an average pulses contained more alpha-linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) than cereals. From data on dietary intakes of the rural population in India, the average per caput consumption of total invisible fat, 18:2 n-6 and 18:3 n-3 from cereals, pulses and milk was calculated. From the figures arrived at for 18:2 n-6 in cereals, pulses and milk and the FAO/WHO 1977 recommendations for 18:2 n-6 (3 per cent of energy), the vegetable oil requirement for different physiological groups has been computed. These calculations showed that the ratio of 18:2 n-6/18:3 n-3 with sources of oils other than rapseed was higher than the desirable ratio of 10. The current view of upper limits of energy from total fat is 30 per cent. Diets of high income groups provide 12 per cent of energy from invisible fat. To keep the calories from total fat below 30 per cent, visible fat intake in Indian diets should not exceed 18 per cent or 50 g/person/d.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1988

Phrynoderma: is it an EFA deficiency disease?

The clinical response to various therapeutic agents was evaluated in 31 patients with phrynoderma. A complete clinical response with vitamin B-complex was noted in an average period of 5.7 weeks. In patients treated with vitamin E, partial or total improvement was seen in an average period of 12.3 and 10.7 weeks respectively. Patients treated with safflower oil showed a partial improvement in an average period of 13.2 weeks. The essential fatty acid (EFA) nutriture of 30 patients was compared with 7 controls. Plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition was used as an indicator of EFA nutriture. The patients with phrynoderma fell into two groups. In the 23 children in one group (pattern A), the mean levels of linoleic (18:2 omega 6), arachidonic (20:4 omega 6) and eicosatrienoic (20:3 omega 9) acids were similar to the levels in the controls. The ratio of eicosatrienoic to arachidonic acids (20:3 omega 9/20:4 omega 6), which is considered an accurate measure of EFA nutritional status, was 0.12 and in the normal range, suggesting that the EFA nutriture is normal in phrynoderma. The ratio of linoleic to arachidonic acids (18:2 omega 6/20:4 omega 6) was also found to be normal, suggesting that the metabolism of linoleic to arachidonic acid is not affected in phrynoderma. In seven children in a second group (pattern B), the fatty acid profile was different from patients with pattern A. In these two groups no obvious differences were noted in clinical features and severity. In patients treated with safflower oil, the mean levels of vitamin E were elevated. On all the three treatment schedules, the levels of other fatty acids were not altered. The biochemical and clinical evidence obtained indicate that phrynoderma may not be directly associated with EFA deficiency but that vitamin B-complex may have an important role. The plasma phospholipid fatty acid profile seems to reflect neither the clinical situation nor the response to therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Essential fatty acid nutritional status of apparently normal Indian men.

A study was undertaken to assess the essential fatty acid (EFA) nutritional status of apparently normal Indian men belonging to different socioeconomic groups with varied intakes of energy and fat. The mean levels of linoleic acid were low in subjects of low socioeconomic groups and this could be attributed to the low intake of dietary fat and therefore of linoleic acid. The mean levels of eicosatrienoic acid (20:3 omega 9), arachidonic acid (20:4 omega 6) and their ratios, 20:3 omega 9/20:4 omega 6 were, however, not altered. The levels of other fatty acids were also not altered. The ratio of linoleic/arachidonic acids was similar in all the three groups suggesting that the metabolism of linoleic to arachidonic acid is not affected in undernutrition. The observation that the plasma levels of linoleic acid were reduced and that the ratio of eicosatrienoic/arachidonic acids, which is a good indicator of EFA status, was normal in the very low socioeconomic group (VLSG) suggests that the requirements of EFA may be met even at these levels of linoleic acid intake, derived from the habitual cereal-based diets. The mean levels of plasma total cholesterol were low in both the low socioeconomic groups. Levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were however similar in all the three groups, suggesting that dietary fat intake and nutritional status may not significantly influence HDL cholesterol levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Undernutrition and fertility of male rats.

Food intake in rats was restricted so that the energy intake was 80 and 60% that of animals fed ad libitum. Although body weight gain was depressed, none of the other measurements taken (epididymal sperm count, fructolytic activity of spermatozoa, relative weights of the reproductive organs, concentration of fructose in coagulating glands and fertility in relation to females impregnated, conceiving and litter size) was affected.

Animals↗