Abstract
BackgroundIn this study discussed the primary and regulatory roles of fatty acids, and investigated the affects of fatty acids on metabolic programming.MethodsReview of the literature was carried out on three electronic databases to assess the roles of fatty acids in metabolic programming. All abstracts and full-text articles were examined, and the most relevant articles were selected for screening and inclusion in this review.ResultsThe mother’s nutritional environment during fetal period has important effects on long term health. Fatty acids play a primary role in growth and development. Alterations in fatty acid intake in the fetal period may increase the risk of obesity and metabolic disorders in later life. Maternal fatty acid intakes during pregnancy and lactation are passed to the fetus and the newborn via the placenta and breast milk, respectively. Imbalances in fatty acid intake during the fetal period change the fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids, which can cause structural and functional problems in cells. Additionally, the metabolic and neuroendocrine environments of the fetus and the newborn play key roles in the regulation of energy balance.ConclusionsImbalances in fatty acid intake during pregnancy and lactation may result in permanent changes in appetite control, neuroendocrine function and energy metabolism in the fetus, leading to metabolic programming. Further studies are needed to determine the role of fatty acid intake in metabolic programming.
Highlights
In this study discussed the primary and regulatory roles of fatty acids, and investigated the affects of fatty acids on metabolic programming
Search strategy and selection of studies To identify eligible studies for this rewiev, a computerized search was performed for all publications available up to March 2013 through PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases using the following key words: ‘dietary fatty acids,’ ‘dietary lipids,’ ‘omega-3 fatty acids,’ ‘maternal high fat diet,’ ‘maternal fat intake,’ ‘maternal obesity,’ ‘fetal programming,’ metabolic programming,’ ‘fetal origins of obesity,’ ‘early life nutrition,’ ‘maternal nutrition,’ ‘hypothalamic programming,’ ‘developmental programming,’ ‘placental lipid transfer,’ ‘maternal fatty acid transfer’ and ‘prenatal fatty acid status.’
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is found in the brain and retinal membranes, regulates membrane permeability, and improves receptor differentiation
Summary
In this study discussed the primary and regulatory roles of fatty acids, and investigated the affects of fatty acids on metabolic programming. Fatty acids take part in membrane phospholipids, and play important roles in prenatal growth and development. Fatty acids demonstrate their roles in cognitive and behavioral development, and energy metabolism [1, 2]. Maternal nutritional state affects fetal fatty acid supply to the fetus. Changes in the metabolic environment, due to insufficient or excessive maternal nutrient intake, can cause short and long-term implications for cell structure and function [2]. Imbalances in fatty acid intake during fetal development cause structural and functional changes in metabolism [5]
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