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PubMed2004

Action potential conduction speed and dyscorrelation, affective disorders and the influence of n - 3 essential fatty acids.

The endogenous affective disorders have been postulated to be due to the neurotransmitter theories, even though there is increasing evidence of a timing abnormality. Recently, action potential (AP) speed differentials and resulting AP dyscorrelation have been postulated for the bipolar disorders. This AP dyscorrelation path is extended here to include some of the other affective disorders. The genetic studies have confirmed loci and proteins which probably predispose to increased water compartmentalization differentials. Indeed, higher water compartmentalization differentials have been confirmed in affective phenotypes. Electrophysiological measures have consistently suggested AP dyscorrelation in patients and more recently in "unaffected" carriers. Future studies should use genotyped subjects and manipulations to investigate possible manipulation-induced water compartmentalization changes and AP speed changes.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1999

Essential fatty acid metabolism in long term primary cultures of rat cardiomyocytes: a beneficial effect of n-6:n-3 fatty acids supplementation.

In long term (21 days) primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, utilized as a model of in vitro senescence, we investigated the dual effect of the time length in culture and of the supplementation with n-6:n-3 fatty acid mixtures on linoleic (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) metabolism. Cardiomyocytes were divided into groups receiving: (1) control medium; (2) control medium plus n-3 fatty acids; (3) and (4) control medium plus n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in the ratio 1:2 or 2:1, respectively. In control cells. senescence caused a reduction in the conversion of LA and ALA, and the decrease in their metabolites was bypassed by the different supplementations. The fatty acid composition of cardiomyocyte lipids was therefore affected by both senescence and supplementation, as evidenced by the n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio and the unsaturation index (U.I.) in cellular lipids. The final result of ageing in culture and of fatty acid supplementations was in all the groups of cells but one (n-6:n-3, 2:1) an unbalance in the n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio. All the supplementations were able to counteract the decrease in the U.I. observed with senescence, but only the n-6:n-3 (2:1) was able to do so by increasing the cellular content of the fatty acids which are precursors of anti-aggregation eicosanoids without altering the n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Dietary essential fatty acids, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, and visual resolution acuity in healthy fullterm infants: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Biologically active neural tissue is rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA). We conducted a systematic review to examine the nature of discordant results from studies designed to test the hypothesis that dietary DHA leads to better performance on visually-based tasks in healthy, fullterm infants. We also conducted a meta-analysis to derive combined estimates of behavioral- and electrophysiologic-based visual resolution acuity differences and sample sizes that would be useful in planning future research. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Twelve empirical studies on LCPUFA intake during infancy and visual resolution acuity were identified through bibliographic searches, examination of monograph and review article reference lists, and written requests to researchers in the field. Works were reviewed for quality and completeness of information. Study design and conduct information was extracted with a standardized protocol. Acuity differences between groups consuming a source of DHA and groups consuming DHA-free diets were calculated as a common outcome from individual studies; this difference score was evaluated against a null value of zero and then used, with the method of DerSimonian and Laird (Meta-analysis in clinical trials. Control Clin Trials 1986;7:177-188), to derive combined estimates of visual resolution acuity differences within seven age categories. RESULTS OF RANDOMIZED COMPARISONS: The combined visual resolution acuity difference measured with behaviorally based methods between DHA-supplemented formula fed groups and DHA-free formula fed groups is 0.32+/-0.09 octaves (combined difference+/-S.E.M., P=0.0003) at 2 months of age. The direction of this value indicates higher acuity in DHA-fed groups. RESULTS OF NON-RANDOMIZED STUDY DESIGNS: The combined visual resolution acuity difference measured with behaviorally based methods between human milk fed groups and DHA-free formula fed groups is 0.49+/-0.09 octaves (P< or =0.000001) at 2 months of age and 0.18+/-0.08 octaves (P=0.04) at 4 months of age. Acuity differences for electrophysiologic-based measures are also greater than zero at 4 months (0.37+/-0.16 octaves, P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Some aspect of dietary n-3 intake is associated with performance on visual resolution acuity tasks at 2, and possibly, 4 months of age in healthy fullterm infants. Whether n-3 intake confers lasting advantage in the development of visually based processes is still in question.

Bottle Feeding↗
PubMed2003

Bioavailability of omega-3 essential fatty acids from perilla seed oil.

Increased dietary intake of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentanoic acid and docosohexanoic acid, and their precursor, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), is associated with various health benefits. Enteric-coating (Entrox), which improves stability of omega-3 capsules, has been shown to facilitate fish oil absorption after chronic treatment. To assess the effect of Entrox coating on the short-term bioavailability of ALA administered in the form of ALA-rich Perilla seed oil, 12 healthy subjects (6 males and 6 females) received in a random order Entrox-coated and non-coated ALA formulations, each as a single 6g dose separated by a 3-week washout period. Measurements of plasma ALA concentrations from 0 to 24h showed no difference in ALA pharmacokinetics between the two formulations. However, significantly greater increases in plasma ALA levels from baseline to 24h were observed after ingestion of Entrox vs. non-coated product, suggesting a possible benefit of Entrox with long-term treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Tissue essential fatty acid composition and competitive response to dietary manipulations in white bass (Morone chrysops), striped bass (M. saxatilis) and hybrid striped bass (M. chrysopsxM. saxatilis).

The effects of wide changes in dietary levels of docosahexaenoic (DHA) or arachidonic (ArA) acids on growth, survival and fatty acid composition in body tissues of Morone larvae were examined. White bass (WB, Morone chrysops), striped bass (SB, Morone saxatilis) and sunshine hybrid bass (HSB, M. chrysopsxM. saxatilis) larvae (day 24-46) were fed Artemia nauplii enriched with algal sources of varying proportions of DHA and ArA (from 0 to over 20% of total fatty acids). WB larvae fed DHA-deficient Artemia diet retarded over 50% of their potential growth, however, increasing dietary DHA/ArA ratios were associated with a significant growth improvement. The highest proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids was found in WB neural tissue (approx. 50% of total fatty acids), while HSB neural tissue contained the highest proportion of saturated fatty acids (approx. 35% of total fatty acids). Within the neural tissues of all Morone larvae, both DHA and ArA were generally the most dominant as well as the most responding fatty acids to dietary manipulations (except in WB fed DHA or ArA deficient diets). HSB neural tissue was particularly efficient in retaining a significant amount of DHA in the face of dietary deficiency. However, WB neural tissue was the most responsive to dietary increase in DHA, accumulating a significantly higher amount of DHA (P<0.05) than SB or HSB. Results demonstrate significant differences in fatty acid composition and growth responsiveness to dietary manipulations between Morone larvae species and within specific tissues. WB weight gain and neural tissue composition was affected most by dietary changes in both DHA and ArA whereas SB and HSB tissue compositions were generally less affected by dietary manipulations.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Essential fatty acids in clinically stable children with propionic acidaemia.

Disturbances of fatty acid metabolism with accumulation of odd-chain fatty acids have been reported in propionic acidaemia (PA). It is not known whether the synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) is also affected. In five clinically stable children with PA (median age 8 years, range 3.5-9.5 years; median percentage fibroblast propionyl-CoA carboxylase activity 0.8, range 0.8-1.5), we determined the fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids, triglycerides and sterol esters and compared the results with those of 18 age-matched healthy controls. Odd-numbered fatty acids were found in all samples of PA patients but in controls median values were zero. Percentage contributions of substrate (linoleic acid, C18:2 omega-6) and principal product (arachidonic acid, C20:4 omega-6) of omega-6 LCPUFA synthesis did not differ between patients and controls. Similarly, there were no differences between both groups in the substrate (alpha-linolenic acid, C18:3 omega-3) and principal product (docosahexaenoic acid, C22:6 omega-3) of omega-3 LCPUFA formation. We conclude that disturbances of fatty acid metabolism in clinically stable children with PA do not affect LCPUFA synthesis.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗
PubMed1999

Cytotoxicity of combined essential fatty acids on a human prostate cancer cell line.

In this study the effect of single and concomitantly added n-6 or n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was investigated on human prostate cells. Data obtained from the single fatty acids (FAs) experiments showed that except for oleic acid (OA), arachidonic (AA) and linoleic acid (LA), which had very little (less than 10% cells dead) effect on the cells, an increase in dead cells was observed at physiological concentrations of, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). However, this was not the case when combining these acids at physiological concentrations. A slight increase in cell death was only obtained with three combinations of ALA, namely with AA, OA, or GLA. Other combinations with ALA, such as with LA or EPA, had respectively no effect on cell number or increased the cell number by causing less cells to die. Other PUFAs combinations tested, did not show the three groups mentioned with ALA, but only the last two types, namely, no effect, or a decrease in the amount of cell death. The latter might mean that the FA combination had stimulated the cells, since a decrease in the amount of dead cells was observed. Therefore, it is concluded that the characteristics of combined FAs may differ from single FAs, which may explain some controversies in the literature and in response to treatments.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2001

Oxidant stress, anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids in South Indian vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

Vegetarians are known to have a low incidence of cardiovascular diseases and lower blood pressure compared to non-vegetarians. The exact cause for this is not known. In the present study, it was found that, in general, vegetarians (female > males) have a higher concentrations of anti-oxidant enzymes: catalase and superoxide dismutase in their RBC membranes and lower levels of plasma lipid peroxides compared to non-vegetarians. Both male and female non-vegetarians were found to have a higher n-3/n-6 ratio compared to vegetarians. These results suggest that vegetarians have a higher anti-oxidant status and low levels of n-3 fatty acids. It remains to be seen whether this alterations in the oxidant and anti-oxidant status and n-3 concentrations explains the lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases and lower blood pressure in vegetarians.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Influence of dietary protein and fat on serum lipids and metabolism of essential fatty acids in rats.

A 120 d feeding study with adult rats was conducted to evaluate the influence of two protein sources (casein and gelatin), two protein levels (50 and 300 g/kg diet) and two fat levels (50 and 150 g/kg diet) on serum lipids (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerols) and liver polyunsaturated fatty acid levels. In general, the concentrations of serum triacylglycerols and total cholesterol and liver phospholipid levels of arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were higher in rats fed on casein diets compared with those fed on the gelatin diets. These effects were more pronounced in rats fed on the high-casein (300 g/kg)-high-fat (150 g/kg) diet. Gelatin was hypocholesterolaemic and also suppressed the liver phospholipid levels of AA and DHA (reported for the first time). The difference in the amino acid composition between casein and gelatin may be responsible for the observed effects. Casein contains higher levels of glutamic acid, methionine, phenylalanine and tyrosine, while gelatin contains higher levels of arginine, glycine and hydroxyproline. It is suggested that a protein source which increases serum cholesterol may also increase the concentrations of AA and DHA in rat tissues.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2002

Dietary essential fatty acids and brain function: a developmental perspective on mechanisms.

Brain development is a complex interactive process in which early disruptive events can have long-lasting effects on later functional adaptation. It is a process that is dependent on the timely orchestration of external and internal inputs through sophisticated intra- and intercellular signalling pathways. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), specifically arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), accrue rapidly in the grey matter of the brain during development, and brain fatty acid (FA) composition reflects dietary availability. Membrane lipid components can influence signal transduction cascades in various ways, which in the case of LCPUFA include the important regulatory functions mediated by the eicosanoids, and extend to long-term regulation through effects on gene transcription. Our work indicates that FA imbalance as well as specific FA deficiencies can affect development adversely, including the ability to respond to environmental stimulation. For example, although the impaired water-maze performance of mice fed a saturated-fat diet improved in response to early environmental enrichment, the brains of these animals showed less complex patterns of dendritic branching. Dietary n-3 FA deficiency influences specific neurotransmitter systems, particularly the dopamine systems of the frontal cortex. We showed that dietary deficiency of n-3 FA impaired the performance of rats on delayed matching-to-place in the water maze, a task of the type associated with prefrontal dopamine function. We did not, however, find an association over a wider range of brain DHA levels and performance on this task. Some, but not all, studies of human infants suggest that dietary DHA may play a role in cognitive development as well as in some neurodevelopmental disorders; this possibility has important implications for population health.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Essential fatty acids and mental illness.

The treatment of psychiatric illness requires novel pharmacological strategies. There is a growing body of evidence examining the role of neuronal phospholipid abnormalities in the pathogenesis of psychiatric illness, particularly in schizophrenia. However, work in other conditions like mood disorders are also showing interesting outcomes with EPA supplementation. Diseases that are considered to have a genetic basis may be significantly influenced by environmental factors including dietary supplementation. The suggestion that EFA supplementation may prevent the onset of symptoms of a psychiatric disease or aberrant behaviour needs longitudinal randomized controlled research. In recent years the focus has shifted from omega-6 to omega-3. It is true that western diets have far more omega-6 than omega-3. In the 1980s, there were positive outcomes in research studies using GLA in schizophrenia (Vaddadi et al., 1989). Future research needs to incorporate studies using pure GLA. Research should not be restricted to parent fatty acid (omega-3) supplementation alone but be expanded to include bioactive down-the-chain metabolites. The recent identification of novel omega-3 derived mediators such as resolvins and neuroprotectins, which are a highly bioactive (1-10 nMol range), may well have some role to play in psychiatric disorders; however this remains highly speculative at this stage.

Brain↗
PubMed1996

Estimation of essential fatty acid requirements of common carp larvae using semi-purified artificial diets.

Two trials were conducted with duplicate groups of (first feeding) carp larvae fed artificial dry diets based on casein and dextrin over 21 or 25 days. One control diet based on yeast was also tested. Survival, growth and fatty acid profiles of larvae were studied. In trial 1, (n-3) fatty acid requirement was estimated using diets supplemented or not with methyl linolenate or cod liver oil. After 21 days, the best survival and growth were observed in larvae fed the unsupplemented diet [(n-3) fatty acid level: 0.05%]. Survival and growth were not improved by higher levels of (n-3) fatty acids. In trial 2, (n-6) fatty acid requirement was estimated using diets with graded levels of methyl linolenate or peanut oil. After 25 days, the best survival and growth were obtained with diets supplemented with 0.25% methyl linolenate (total (n-6) fatty acid level: 1%) or with 1.25% peanut oil (total (n-6) fatty acid level: 0.89%). Survival and growth were not improved by higher levels of (n-6) fatty acids. Fatty acid composition of carp reflected that of the diets and also showed that carp larvae are capable of elongating and desaturating linolenic acid and linoleic acid in longer chain fatty acids.

Aging↗