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Biomedical subjects

K Ghebremeskel

Publications and source records attributed to K Ghebremeskel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Vitamin A deficiency enhances docosahexaenoic and osbond acids in liver of rats fed an alpha linolenic acid-adequate diet.

The synthesis of docosahexaenoic (DHA, 22:6n-3) and Osbond acid (OA, 22:5n-6) is regulated by the heterodimer of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and retinoid X receptor (RXR). 9-Cis retinoic acid, a metabolite of vitamin A, is the most potent ligand of RXR. We tested whether vitamin A deficiency impairs DHA and OA synthesis in rats fed a vitamin A- and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)-sufficient (VASALAS), vitamin A-sufficient and ALA-deficient (VASALAD), vitamin A-deficient and ALA-sufficient (VADALAS), or vitamin A- and ALA-deficient (VADALAD) diet. After 7 wk of feeding, liver and colon choline (CPG) and ethanolamine (EPG) phosphoglyceride FA were analyzed. The VADALAS compared with the VASALAS rats had elevated levels of both DHA (P< 0.05) and OA (P < 0.005) in liver CPG and EPG. In contrast, the VADALAD group had a lower DHA (P < 0.01) and higher OA (P < 0.005) level in CPG and EPG of both tissues than their VASALAD counterparts. ALA deficiency reduced DHA and enhariced OA levels in liver and colon CPG and EPG in both the vitamin A-sufficient (VASALAS vs. VASALAD) and -deficient (VADALAS vs. VADALAD) rats (P < 0.005). The study demonstrates that ALA deficiency reduced DHA and enhanced OA levels in tissue membranes, and dietary vitamin A deficiency has a profound effect on membrane DHA and OA in rat tissues. Both vitamin A and DHA are involved in a myriad of vital physiological functions pertaining to growth and development and health. Hence, there is a need for a further study to unravel the mechanism by which vitamin A influences membrane DHA and OA.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Fetal erythrocyte membrane lipids modification: preliminary observation of an early sign of compromised insulin sensitivity in offspring of gestational diabetic women.

AIMS: Intrauterine exposure to diabetes is a significant determinant of the development of obesity and early onset of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in the offspring. Both conditions are characterized by insulin resistance and the latter is associated with reduced membrane arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids. Hence, we investigated if the membrane arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids are depressed in the cord blood of babies born to women with gestational diabetes. METHODS: Cord (fetal) and maternal blood were obtained at delivery from control subjects (n = 33) and women with gestational diabetes (n = 40) and analysed for plasma triglycerides and cholinephosphoglycerides, and erythrocyte choline- and ethanolaminephosphoglycerides fatty acids. RESULTS: Babies of gestational diabetic mothers had reduced docosahexaenoic acid in the plasma (5.9 +/- 1.4 vs. 7.1 +/- 2.0, P < 0.01) and erythrocyte (4.0 +/- 2.2 vs. 5.4 +/- 2.9, P < 0.05) cholinephosphoglycerides. Moreover, the total omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids of the erythrocyte cholinephosphoglycerides were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in these babies. A similar trend was observed in plasma triglycerides and erythrocyte ethanolaminephosphoglycerides. The maternal plasma triglycerides and erythrocyte ethanolaminephosphoglycerides fatty acids profile were not different between the two groups. However, there was a reduction in arachidonic acid and total omega-6 fatty acids in the erythrocyte cholinephosphoglycerides of the gestational diabetic women. CONCLUSION: The altered plasma and erythrocyte fatty acids in the cord blood of babies born to women with gestational diabetes suggests a perturbation in the maternal-fetal nutrient transport and/or fetal lipid metabolism.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Vitamin A deficiency reduces liver and colon docosahexaenoic acid levels in rats fed high linoleic and low alpha-linolenic acid diet.

Studies indicate that the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) regulate the activity of delta-6 and -5 desaturases and several key enzymes of peroxisomal beta-oxidation, including acyl-CoA oxidase. These enzymes are vital for the synthesis of docosahexaenoic (22:6 omega 3; DHA) and osbond (22:5 omega 6, OA) acids. An activated PPAR must form a hetrodimer with the obligate cofactor retinoid X receptor (RXR) to interact with a peroxisome proliferator responsive element (PPRE) of a target gene and to regulate transcriptional expression. The vitamin A metabolite, 9-cis retinoic acid, is the most potent ligand of RXR. We have tested the possibility that deficiency of vitamin A would compromise tissue levels of both DHA and OA in rats. Two groups of male Wistar rats were randomly distributed to receive vitamin A deficient (VAD) or sufficient (VAS) diet. After seven weeks of feeding, the rats were killed and colon and liver tissues removed for the analysis of fatty acids and antioxidant status. The VAD compared to the VAS rats had elevated levels of arachidonic (AA, P<0.001), adrenic acid (22:4 omega 6, P<0.005) and OA (P<0.0001) and reduced proportions of eicosapentaenoic (EPA, docosapentaenoic (DPA), DHA and total omega 3 fatty (P<0.0001) in colon choline phosphoglycerides (CPG). Similarly, liver CPG of the VAD rats had higher AA and adrenic acid and OA (P<0.0001), and lower EPA, DPA and DHA (P<0.0001) than the VAS rats. There was a similar fatty acid pattern in ethanolamine phosphoglycerides of the colon and liver tissues. These differences could not be explained by the conventional microsomal-peroxisomal pathway of the synthesis of the long-chain omega 6 and omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. We postulate that deficiency of dietary vitamin A and the consequential depletion of retinoids inhibits DHA, and enhances OA, synthesis by differential effects on the independent synthetic pathways of the two fatty acids in the mitochondria. Various studies have documented that both DHA and vitamin A are vital for optimal visual and neural development and function. There is a need for further investigations to elucidate how vitamin A deficiency reduces membrane DHA level, and to delineate the synergistic effect of the two nutrients on vision, learning and memory.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2004

Plasma AA and DHA levels are not compromised in newly diagnosed gestational diabetic women.

OBJECTIVE: The polyunsaturated fatty acids, arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA), are vital structural and functional components of the neural, vascular and visual systems. There is increased demand for these fatty acids during pregnancy. Diabetes impairs the synthesis of both AA and DHA. We have investigated the possibility that pregnancy-induced diabetes compromises the levels of plasma AA and DHA in newly diagnosed expectant mothers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: London, UK. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Venous blood was obtained from 44 women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and from the same number of nondiabetics, during the third trimester. Fatty acid composition of plasma choline phosphoglycerides (CPG), triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol esters (CE) was analysed. RESULTS: The GDM women had higher levels of AA (20:4n-6; P<0.0001) and AA/linoleic acid ratio (20:4n-6/18:2n-6; P<0.01) in the CPG, and linoleic acid (LA; P<0.0001), total n-6 (P<0.01), DHA (P<0.05) and n-3 metabolites (P<0.05) in TG compared to their nondiabetic counterparts. Similarly, AA (P<0.0001), osbond acid (22:5n-6; P<0.05), total n-6 metabolites (P<0.0001), AA/LA (P<0.0001) and n-6 metabolites/LA (P<0.01) were higher in the CE of the GDM women. There was no difference in the levels of DHA in CPG and CE between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study do not provide evidence that the activity of delta-6 or delta-5 desaturases, which are vital for the synthesis of AA and DHA, is compromised by pregnancy-induced diabetes. However, since the samples were taken at diagnosis, it is conceivable that the duration of the diabetes was too short to have a discernable adverse effect on the levels of AA and DHA in plasma lipids.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Adverse effect of obesity on red cell membrane arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids in gestational diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Gestational diabetes is a metabolic disorder affecting 2-5% of women and is a predictor of obesity, Type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance, a characteristic of gestational diabetes and obesity, is correlated with the fatty acids profile of the red cell and skeletal muscle membranes. We investigated the plasma and red cell fatty acid status of gestational diabetes. The effect of obesity on membrane fatty acids was also examined. METHODS: Fasting blood obtained at diagnosis was analysed for the fatty acids in plasma choline phosphoglycerides and red cell choline and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides. RESULTS: There were reductions in arachidonic acid (controls 10.74+/-2.35 vs gestational diabetes 8.35+/-3.49, p<0.01) and docosahexaenoic acid (controls 6.31+/-2.67 vs gestational diabetes 3.25+/-2.00, p<0.0001) in the red cell choline phosphoglycerides in gestational diabetes. A similar pattern was found in the ethanolamine phosphoglycerides. Moreover, the arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids depletion in the red cell choline phosphoglycerides was much greater in overweight/obese gestational diabetes (arachidonic acid=7.49+/-3.37, docosahexaenoic acid=2.98+/-2.18, p<0.01) compared with lean gestational diabetes (arachidonic acid=10.03+/-2.74, docosahexaenoic acid=4.18+/-1.42). CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Apparently normal plasma choline phosphoglycerides fatty acids profile in the gestational diabetic women suggested that membrane lipid abnormality is associated specifically with perturbation in the membrane. The fact that the lipid abnormality is more pronounced in the outer leaflet of the membrane where most of receptor binding and enzyme activities take place might provide an explanation for the increased insulin resistance in gestational diabetes and obesity.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Plasma and erythrocyte fatty acids in captive Asian (Elephas maximus) and African (Loxodonta africana) elephants.

The fatty acid components of the plasma triglycerides and the phospholipid fractions of the red blood cells of a captive group of two African (Loxodonta africana) and four Asian (Elephas maximus) elephants were investigated. All the animals received the same diet of hay, fruits and vegetables, and concentrates. A comparison with data from free-ranging African elephants or Asian work-camp elephants showed that the captive elephants had lower proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and for several lipid fractions a higher n-6:n-3 ratio, than their counterparts in the wild or under the more natural, in terms of diet, work-camp conditions. The difference in PUFA content was smaller in the African than in the Asian elephants. The captive Asian elephants tended to have lower levels of n-3 and total unsaturated fatty acids in their red blood cells than the captive African elephants.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The potential role for arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids in protection against some central nervous system injuries in preterm infants.

The risk of central nervous, visual, and auditory damage increases from 2/1000 live births in the normal birthweight to > 200/1000 as birthweight falls below 1500 g. Such babies are most likely to be born preterm. Advances in infant care have led to increasing numbers of very-low-birthweight, preterm infants surviving to school age with moderate to severe brain damage. Steroids are one of the current treatments, but they cause significant, long-term problems. The evidence reported here suggests an additional approach to protecting the very preterm infant by supporting neurovascular membrane integrity. The complications of preterm, very-low-birthweight babies include bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, and necrotizing enterocolitis, all of which have a vascular component. Arachidonic acid (AA) and DHA are essential, structural, and functional constituents of cell membranes. They are especially required for the growth and function of the brain and vascular systems, which are the primary biofocus of human fetal growth. Molecular dynamics and experimental evidence suggest that DHA could be the ligand for the retinoid X receptor (RXR) in neural tissue. RXR activation is an obligatory step in signaling to the nucleus and in the regulation of gene expression. Very preterm babies are born with minimal fat stores and suboptimal circulating levels of these nutrients. Postnatally, they lose the biomagnification of the proportions of AA and DHA by the placenta for the fetus. No current nutritional management repairs these deficits. The placental biomagnification profile highlights AA rather than DHA. The resultant fetal FA profile closely resembles that of the vascular endothelium and not the brain. Without this nourishment, cell membrane abnormalities would be predicted. We present a scientific rationale for a common pathogenic process in the complications of prematurity.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Liver triacylglycerols and free fatty acids in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats have atypical n-6 and n-3 pattern.

In diabetes there is a decrease in membrane arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids and a concomitant increase in linoleic (LA) and alpha-linolenic (ALA) acids. This metabolic perturbation is thought to be due to impaired activity of Delta(6)- and Delta(5)-desaturases. Triacylglycerols are the major lipid pool in plasma and liver tissue and have a significant influence on fatty acid composition of membrane and circulating phospholipids. Data on the distribution of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids of triacylglycerols in diabetes are sparse. We investigated whether streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Sprague-Dawley rats alters fatty acid composition of triacylglycerols and free fatty acids of liver tissue. The animals were fed a breeding diet prior to mating, during pregnancy and lactation. On days 1-2 of pregnancy, diabetes was induced in 10 of the 25 rats. Liver was obtained at post partum day 16 for analysis. Relative levels of LA (P=0.03), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DHGLA) (P=0.02), AA (P=0.049), total n-6 (P=0.02), ALA (P=0.013), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (P=0.004), docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3, DPA) (P=0.013), DHA (P=0.033), n-3 metabolites (P=0.015) and total n-3 (P=0.011) were significantly higher in the triacylglycerols of the diabetics compared with the controls. Similarly, liver free fatty acids of the diabetics had higher levels of LA (P=0.0001), DHGLA (P=0.001), AA (P=0.001), n-6 metabolites (P=0.002), total n-6 (P=0.0001), ALA (P=0.003), EPA (P=0.015), docosapentaenoic (22:5n-3, P=0.003), DHA (P=0.002), n-3 metabolites (P=0.005) and total n-3 (P=0.001). We conclude that impaired activity of desaturases and/or long chain acyl-CoA synthetase could not explain the higher levels of AA, DHA and n-6 and n-3 metabolites in the diabetics. This seems to be consistent with an alteration in the regulatory mechanism, which directs incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids either into triacylglycerols or phospholipids.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase, Long-Chain↗
PubMed2001

Abnormal aortic fatty acid composition and small artery function in offspring of rats fed a high fat diet in pregnancy.

1. Disturbances of the in utero environment are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. In this study we have determined whether abnormal vascular function in the adult offspring of rats fed a high saturated fat diet in pregnancy is associated with altered plasma lipids or vascular fatty acid content. 2. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a breeding diet (4 % fat) or a diet high in saturated fat (20 % fat) for 10 days prior to and throughout pregnancy, and during weaning. Female offspring were then fed a maintenance diet (3 % fat) until 160 days of age. 3. Endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine was blunted in isolated branches of the femoral artery from 160-day-old female offspring of dams fed the saturated fat diet when compared with female offspring of dams fed the breeding diet. These offspring exhibited elevated plasma triglyceride and reduced plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. 4. The fatty acid composition of the aortas was abnormal, with a marked reduction in the content of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids. 5. This study demonstrates that a high fat diet in pregnant rats produces abnormal vascular function, plasma lipid disturbances and altered vascular fatty acid content in their female offspring during adulthood.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Maternal-fetal n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids gradient in plasma and red cell phospholipids.

Fatty acid distribution was investigated in ethnically and economically homogenous Korean mothers (n = 40) and neonates. Venous blood, maternal before delivery and cord, was obtained. Choline (CPG) and ethanolamine (EPG) phosphoglycerides and sphingomyelin (SM) were assayed. Mean arachidonic acid (AA) level was higher in plasma CPG and SM (p < 0.0001), and red cell CPG (p < 0.0001), EPG (p < 0.0001) and SM (p = 0.005) of the neonates. Similarly, the neonates had higher proportions of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in plasma CPG (p < 0.0001) and red cell CPG (p = 0.001) and EPG (p = 0.036). In contrast, linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids were significantly higher in maternal blood. Mead acid was elevated in plasma CPG (p < 0.0001) and red cell CPG and EPG (p < 0.0001) of the neonates. Consistent with data from high-fat-intake populations, our subjects, whose traditional diet is low in fat, exhibited maternal-fetal gradient in AA and DHA in plasma and red cell phospholipids. This may be due to an imbalance between supply and maternal and fetal requirements, and/or a physiological response to pregnancy. Prenatal nutritional constraint is associated with impaired development and a risk of chronic diseases in adults. AA and DHA are vital nutrients. Hence, there is a need to investigate whether the discrepancy between maternal and neonatal AA and DHA is a manifestation of nutritional insufficiency.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Vitamin A during pregnancy.

Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient throughout life. In areas of developing countries where vitamin A deficiency is endemic, an estimated 40% of the children are likely to be sub clinically deficient of the vitamin. Yet, the traditional view that preschool age children represent the main population at risk of vitamin A deficiency has been replaced by the growing awareness that sub clinical and even clinical vitamin A deficiency also occurs in women of reproductive age and infants less than 6 month of age. During the period of early foetal development the supply of vitamin A must be carefully managed to ensure that the developing foetus is exposed to neither too little not too much vitamin A because either condition can have teratogenic consequences. Towards the end of gestation, adequate maternal vitamin A status and dietary intakes are important to maximize the vitamin A transferred to the foetus in preparation for parturition and lactation. A review of the current knowledge and prospects for future research is presented.

Female↗
PubMed2000

Blood fatty acid composition of pregnant and nonpregnant Korean women: red cells may act as a reservoir of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid for utilization by the developing fetus.

Relative fatty acid composition of plasma and red blood cell (RBC) choline phosphoglycerides (CPG), and RBC ethanolamine phosphoglycerides (EPG) of pregnant (n = 40) and nonpregnant, nonlactating (n = 40), healthy Korean women was compared. The two groups were of the same ethnic origin and comparable in age and parity. Levels of arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids were lower (P < 0.05) and palmitic and oleic acids higher (P < 0.0001) in plasma CPG of the pregnant women. Similarly, the RBC CPG and EPG of the pregnant women had lower AA and DHA (P < 0.05) and higher palmitic and oleic acids (P < 0.01). The reduction in DHA and total n-3 fatty acids in plasma CPG of the pregnant women was paralleled by an increase in docosatetraenoic (DTA) and docosapentaenoic (DPA) acids of the n-6 series and in DPA/DTA ratio. In the RBC phospholipids (CPG and EPG) of the pregnant women, DTA and DPA acids of the n-6 series and DPA/DTA ratio did not increase with the decrease of the n-3 metabolites (eicosapentaenoic acid, DPA, and DHA) and total n-3. Since pregnancy was the main identifiable variable between the two groups, the lower levels of AA and DHA in RBC CPG and EPG of the pregnant women suggest that the mothers were mobilizing membrane AA and DHA to meet the high fetal requirement for these nutrients. It may also suggest that RBC play a role as a potential store of AA and DHA and as a vehicle for the transport of these fatty acids from maternal circulation to the placenta to be utilized by the developing fetus.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Pregnancy reduces arachidonic and docosahexaenoic in plasma triacylglycerols of Korean women.

Plasma triacylglycerol (TG) fatty acid composition of healthy non-pregnant and non-lactating women, expectant mothers and their term neonates from Seoul, South Korea was investigated. They were ethnically homogeneous and the women had comparable age and parity. Blood samples were obtained at recruitment, third trimester and birth from the non-pregnant women, expectant mothers and neonates respectively. Percent levels of linoleic and arachidonic acids and n-6 metabolites and total n-6 were significantly lower in the pregnant women than in the non-pregnant (p < 0.0001). Similarly, there were lower levels of alpha-linolenic (p = 0.033), eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids and n-3 metabolites and total n-3 (p < 0.0001) in the expectant mothers. Compared with their mothers, the neonates had higher proportions of dihomo-gamma-linolenic, arachidonic, docosatetraenoic and docosapentaenoic acids and n-6 metabolites (p < 0.0001) and lower linoleic acid (p < 0.0001). Of the n-3 series, alpha-linolenic acid was lower (p < 0.0001) and eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids and n-3 metabolites and total n-3 higher (p < 0.0001) in the neonates compared with their mothers. The study reveals that pregnancy is associated with a reduction in the relative levels of plasma triacylglycerol arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids. Moreover, it indicates that the decline is a manifestation of selective transfer of these fatty acids to the developing fetus.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids are strongly associated in maternal and neonatal blood.

BACKGROUND: The red cell membrane fatty acid composition has frequently been used as an index of essential fatty acid (EFA) nutrition. After birth there is a decline in plasma arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids in babies fed on conventional formula which contains only the parent linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids. In human studies, the red cell phosphoglyceride composition appears to be more constant than that of plasma. In infants fed fish oil without AA, the AA proportions fall in the plasma but much less so in the red cells. This result might be considered to mean that there is no need for preformed AA. On the other hand, in a study where the levels of AA fell there was reduction of infant growth. Indeed, where cell membrane composition does change there is often an associated alteration in physiological functions of membranes. We therefore felt it worth investigating the balance between AA and DHA in a physiological situation where plasma levels are known to change, namely in pregnancy. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate a relationship between blood phosphoglyceride AA and DHA in pregnant women and neonates. SUBJECTS: Health pregnant women from London, England (n=193) and their term babies (n=45); healthy pregnant women from Seoul, South Korea (n=40) and their term babies (n=40); and preterm neonates (n=72) from London. METHOD: Blood samples were taken from British and Korean pregnant women during the third trimester, and from term and preterm babies at birth. These samples were taken for routine monitoring purposes in Korea and were a part of a study on pregnancy outcome for which ethical permission was granted from the East London and The City Health Authority and Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Health Authority. Approval was also obtained from the Ethical Committee of the Asan Medical Centre, Seoul, South Korea. RESULTS: AA and DHA correlated in plasma choline phosphoglycerides (CPG) of the British mothers (r=0.52 P<0.0001). The correlation coefficients and significance were much stronger in the red cell CPG and even more so in the term and preterm infant red cell CPGs ( r=0.75, 0.80 and 0.88, respectively). Similarly, AA and DHA correlated in red cell CPGs of the Korean women and their term babies. There was also a significant relationship between the two fatty acids in red cell ethanolamine phosphoglycerides in the mothers and their babies. Both linoleic (LA) and alpha-linolenic acids (ALA) were inversely associated with AA and DHA in some of the phosphoglyceride fractions of the mothers and babies. CONCLUSIONS: Although AA and DHA have different primary dietary origins, there were significant relationships between AA and DHA in the phosphoglycerides of the red cell membrane. This finding seems surprising if the red cell composition is determined by diet. These results suggest a physiological mechanism which attempts to maintain an appropriate balance between AA and DHA. It is plausible that there is an optimum balance between AA and DHA for membrane stability, deformability, enzyme and receptor function. SPONSORSHIP: The British Diabetic Association, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation and The Christopher H.R. Reeves Charitable Trust. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2000) 54, 50-56

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Plasma vitamin A and E in preterm babies fed on breast milk or formula milk with or without long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Plasma vitamin A and E, the antioxidant nutrients copper and zinc, and magnesium were investigated in preterm babies. They were fed on their own mother's breast milk, or a formula with, or without, AA and DHA. Vitamin A (2.4 mg/d) and E (15 mg/d) supplements were also given. Vitamin A and E levels of most of the babies were sub-optimal at birth. The mean concentrations of vitamin E increased in all the groups by the expected date of delivery (EDD) (p < 0.001). Those fed on their mother's breast milk had the highest value compared with the other groups (p < 0.001). There was an increase in the mean level of vitamin A (p > 0.05) and copper (p < 0.05) and a decrease in zinc (p < 0.05) between birth and EDD. Concentrations of the two vitamins were not different (p > 0.05) between the babies fed on the formula with, and without, AA and DHA. It is concluded that the amount of AA and DHA incorporated in the formula milk did not adversely influence the plasma vitamin A and E of the babies.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1999

Post-natal modulation of heart and liver phosphoglyceride fatty acids in pups.

BACKGROUND: Maternal dietary fats alter tissue fatty acids of the fetus and suckling pups. However, the possible change in tissue composition in response to the high oxygen tension extrauterine milieu independent of diet is not well understood. METHODS: We have compared the fatty acids of heart and liver choline (CPG) and ethanolamine (EPG) phosphoglycerides of rat offspring at birth and post-natal day 15. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a breeding diet prior to mating, pregnancy and lactation. A proportion of each litter was sacrificed and the liver and heart were obtained for analysis. Changes in fatty acid composition specific to tissue (heart and liver) and phosphoglyceride (CPG and EPG) occurred post-natally. RESULTS: Relative levels of palmitate and oleate decreased and those of stearate increased in both the heart and liver phosphoglycerides of the suckling pups. There was a reduction in arachidonate/linoleate ratio primarily due to the increase in linoleic acid. With the exception in the heart EPG, the levels of arachidonic acid did not decrease concomitantly. Although the fatty acid composition of the diet did not change between pregnancy and lactation, docosahexaenoic and total n-3 increased in heart CPG and EPG and liver CPG of the suckling pups. Evidently, membrane fatty acid modulation, independent of maternal dietary fat, occurs in the extrauterine environment. It seems to favour the accretion of linoleic, arachidonic, docosahexaenoic and total n-3 fatty acids. CONCLUSION: Since there appears to be some parallel between the very preterm human neonate and rat pups with regard to nutrient store at birth and the neonatal developmental time window, our results may have relevance for the understanding of fatty acid metabolism and turnover in the human neonate.

Animal Feed↗