Effect of supplementation with flaxseed oil and different doses of fish oil for 2 weeks on plasma phosphatidylcholine fatty acids in young women

Leanne Hodson,Francesca L Crowe,Kirsten J Mclachlan,C Murray Skeaff

doi:10.1038/s41430-018-0174-2

Abstract

Background/objectivesAlthough assumed, it remains unclear that fatty acid (FA) biomarkers of n-3 long-chain PUFA reflect wide ranges of intake. However, to be utilised as biomarkers, to predict dietary intake, dose–response curves that cover a spectrum of intakes are required. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the FA composition of plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a sensitive biomarker of n-3 FAs from fish oil, across a range of supplementation doses, and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) supplementation, in young, healthy women.Subjects/methodsA total of 303 young women were randomised to intakes ranging between 0.33 and 4.50 g EPA+DHA/day from fish oil (not all doses used in each year) or flaxseed oil (5.90–6.60 g/d) daily for 14 days in a series of trials, over 5 years. Fasting blood was collected at baseline (day 0) and day 14 and plasma PC FA composition, total and HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations measured.ResultsFourteen days supplementation with fish oil significantly (P < 0.01) increased, in a dose-dependent fashion, plasma PC EPA, DPA and DHA at all doses except 1 and 3 mL/day. For the combined group of women who consumed any fish oil there was a 16% (P < 0.01) decrease in plasma triacylglycerol concentrations after 14 days supplementation. Flaxseed oil supplementation for 14 day resulted in significant (P < 0.01) increases in ALA, EPA and DPA, whilst DHA remained unchanged.ConclusionOur data demonstrate plasma PC is a sensitive biomarker of n-3 FA intake and reflects changes within 14 days across a range of intakes.

Highlights

Plasma, erythrocyte and platelet phospholipids are the blood lipid fractions most abundant in n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA)
A large proportion of these studies have been undertaken in middleaged adults [13, 14]; it remains unclear whether n-3 LCPUFA have a similar effect in young adults
We sought to investigate the effect of short-term (14 days) supplementation with EPA and DHA, across a range of doses, on plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) n-3 FA levels and plasma lipid concentrations, along with the effect of short-term (14 days) alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) supplementation on plasma PC n-3 FA status in young, healthy women

Summary

Introduction

Erythrocyte and platelet phospholipids are the blood lipid fractions most abundant in n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). Dose–response studies, typically with only three ‘distinct’ levels of n-3 fatty acid (FA), have shown blood phospholipids reflect changes in n-. Evidence from randomised controlled trials has not proven n-3 LCPUFA lowers cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk [12], intervention studies have clearly demonstrated n-3 LCPUFA (as fish oil or ethyl esters of EPA and DHA) have a triglyceride-lowering effect [13]. We sought to investigate the effect of short-term (14 days) supplementation with EPA and DHA (given as fish oil), across a range of doses, on plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) n-3 FA levels and plasma lipid concentrations, along with the effect of short-term (14 days) ALA supplementation on plasma PC n-3 FA status in young, healthy women

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Conclusion