Abstract
Polymorphisms in the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) genes influence the arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid concentrations (crucial in early life). Infants with specific genotypes may require different amounts of these fatty acids (FAs) to maintain an adequate status. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an infant formula supplemented with AA and DHA on FAs of infants with different FADS genotypes. In total, 176 infants from the COGNIS study were randomly allocated to the Standard Formula (SF; n = 61) or the Experimental Formula (EF; n = 70) group, the latter supplemented with AA and DHA. Breastfed infants were added as a reference group (BF; n = 45). FAs and FADS polymorphisms were analyzed from cheek cells collected at 3 months of age. FADS minor allele carriership in formula fed infants, especially those supplemented, was associated with a declined desaturase activity and lower AA and DHA levels. Breastfed infants were not affected, possibly to the high content of AA and DHA in breast milk. The supplementation increased AA and DHA levels, but mostly in major allele carriers. In conclusion, infant FADS genotype could contribute to narrow the gap of AA and DHA concentrations between breastfed and formula fed infants.
Highlights
Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) have an important role in the immune system regulation, blood clots, neurotransmitters, cholesterol metabolism, and in the structure of membrane phospholipids in the brain and the retina [1]
Some studies include indexes of AA to LA, as well as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA to ALA in order to use them as markers of the activity of fatty acids desaturation mediated by the enzymes D5D and
In the Standard Formula (SF) group the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs174570 (FADS2) stood out by associating with decreased levels of AA, GLA:LA, DGLA:LA, AA:LA and EPA:ALA. These results suggest that the infants without AA and DHA supplementation were the least affected in terms of FA
Summary
Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) have an important role in the immune system regulation, blood clots, neurotransmitters, cholesterol metabolism, and in the structure of membrane phospholipids in the brain and the retina [1]. Attention has been devoted especially to arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), due to their key role for optimal health, cognition and development during fetal and early postnatal life [2]. Breastmilk is usually the only external source of AA and DHA for infants during the first months of life [3,4]. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) [7] and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 [8] have proposed DHA supplementation as mandatory for infant formulas, while no minimum amount of AA was determined to be necessary, setting AA supplementation as an optional ingredient. Other authors have even found that DHA alone did not influenced cognitive development at all [10]. There is no agreed specific dose for supplementation, and there is little evidence of the long-term effect
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
