Single-Dose SDA-Rich Echium Oil Increases Plasma EPA, DPAn3, and DHA Concentrations.

Theresa Greupner,Jan Philipp Schuchardt,Laura Kutzner,Elisabeth Koch,Andreas Hahn,Nils Helge Schebb

doi:10.3390/nu11102346

Theresa Greupner, Jan Philipp Schuchardt + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102346

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Journal: Nutrients	Publication Date: Oct 2, 2019
Citations: 15	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Leibniz University Hannover, University of Wuppertal

Abstract

The omega-3 (n3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are associated with health benefits. The primary dietary source of EPA and DHA is seafood. Alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) has not been shown to be a good source for EPA and DHA; however, stearidonic acid (SDA)—which is naturally contained in echium oil (EO)—may be a more promising alternative. This study was aimed at investigating the short-term n3 PUFA metabolism after the ingestion of a single dose of EO. Healthy young male subjects (n = 12) ingested a single dose of 26 g of EO after overnight fasting. Plasma fatty acid concentrations and relative amounts were determined at baseline and 2, 4, 6, 8, 24, 48, and 72 h after the ingestion of EO. During the whole examination period, the participants received standardized nutrition. Plasma ALA and SDA concentrations increased rapidly after the single dose of EO. Additionally, EPA and DPAn3 concentrations both increased significantly by 47% after 72 h compared to baseline; DHA concentrations also significantly increased by 21% after 72 h. To conclude, EO increases plasma ALA, SDA, EPA, DPAn3, and DHA concentrations and may be an alternative source for these n3 PUFAs.

Highlights

Seafood intake—the main dietary source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—and blood status of EPA and DHA are low in most countries worldwide [12,13]
Due to the concurrent high linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n6) intake—which is typical in many Western diets—even large doses of Alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) result in comparatively small increases in plasma EPA and no or negative effects on DHA [16,17,18]
Only omnivores with low fish consumption were included to ensure a homogeneous study collective. This careful selection has led to lower standard deviations or standard errors of the mean of the baseline plasma n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) pattern compared to other studies [29,30]

Summary

Introduction

The positive health effects of docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn3, C22:5n3) are coming into focus [9,10,11]. Alternative dietary sources of LC n3 PUFAs are necessary in order to fill the existing intake gap. The essential plant-derived n3 PUFA alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3n3) can be converted into. Studies have shown that the conversion of ALA to EPA and especially to DHA is very inefficient or non-existent in humans as reviewed in Reference [15]. Due to the concurrent high linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n6) intake—which is typical in many Western diets—even large doses of ALA result in comparatively small increases in plasma EPA and no or negative effects on DHA [16,17,18].

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