Tiny Worms, Big Potential: Enchytraeus albidus (Annelida: Clitellata) as Starter Feed for Rainbow Trout

Fish intake, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and in some cases alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) have been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular events and death. The association between n-3 fatty acids in plasma lipids and the progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis was assessed among women with established coronary artery disease (CAD). A prospective cohort study involved postmenopausal women (n = 228) participating in the Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis Trial. Quantitative coronary angiography was performed at baseline and after 3.2 +/- 0.6 (mean +/- SD) years. Women with plasma phospholipid (PL) DHA levels above the median, compared with below, exhibited less atherosclerosis progression, as expressed by decline in minimum coronary artery diameter (-0.04 +/- 0.02 and -0.10 +/- 0.02 mm, respectively; P = 0.007) or increase in percentage stenosis (1.34 +/- 0.76% and 3.75 +/- 0.74%, respectively; P = 0.006), and had fewer new lesions [2.0% (0.5-3.5%) of measured segments (95% confidence interval) and 4.2% (2.8-5.6%), respectively; P = 0.009] after adjustments for cardiovascular risk factors. Similar results were observed for DHA in the triglycerides (TGs). EPA and ALA in plasma lipids were not significantly associated with atherosclerosis progression. Consistent with higher reported fish intake, higher levels of plasma TG and PL DHA are associated with less progression of coronary atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women with CAD.

Rationale for different formulations of omega-3 fatty acids leading to differences in residual cardiovascular risk reduction

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with fatty acid alterations characterized by low linoleic and docosahexaenoic acid. It is not clear whether these fatty acid alterations are directly linked to cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) dysfunction or result from nutrient malabsorption. We hypothesized that if fatty acid alterations are a result of CFTR dysfunction, those alterations should be demonstrable in CF cell culture models. Two CF airway epithelial cell lines were used: 16HBE, sense and antisense CFTR cells, and C38/IB3-1 cells. Wild-type (WT) and CF cells were cultured in 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) or 10% horse serum. Fatty acid levels were analyzed by GC-MS. Culture of both WT and CF cells in FBS resulted in very low linoleic acid levels. When cells were cultured in horse serum containing concentrations of linoleic acid matching those found in human plasma, physiological levels of linoleic acid were obtained and fatty acid alterations characteristic of CF tissues were then evident in CF compared with WT cells. Kinetic studies with radiolabeled linoleic acid demonstrated in CF cells increased conversion to longer and more-desaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that CFTR dysfunction is associated with altered fatty acid metabolism in cultured airway epithelial cells.

We hypothesized that the polyunsaturated fatty acids of the butterfly were probably derived from the diet and that there might be a great loss of body fat during metamorphosis. To substantiate these hypotheses, we analyzed the fatty acid composition and content of the diet, the larva, and the butterfly Morpho peleides. Both the diet and the tissues of the larva and butterfly had a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the diet, linolenic acid accounted for 19% and linoleic acid for 8% of total fatty acids. In the larva, almost 60% of the total fatty acids were polyunsaturated: linolenic acid predominated at 42% of total fatty acids, and linoleic acid was at 17%. In the butterfly, linolenic acid represented 36% and linoleic acid represented 11% of total fatty acids. The larva had a much higher total fatty acid content than the butterfly (20.2 vs. 6.9 mg). Our data indicate that the transformation from larva to butterfly during metamorphosis drastically decreased the total fatty acid content. There was bioenhancement of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the diet to the larva and butterfly. This polyunsaturation of membranes may have functional importance in providing membrane fluidity useful in flight.

Trans–fatty acid levels in sperm are associated with sperm concentration among men from an infertility clinic

BackgroundThe effect of breast milk fatty acid (FA) composition, particularly levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on infant health outcomes is unclear. Part of the reason for this is difficulties in collecting, storing and shipping milk samples to the laboratory. Here we report the validation of a dried milk spot (DMS) system to measure FA composition to help overcome these obstacles.Milk FA were measured by gas chromatography and reported as percent of total FA; the FA of primary interest in this study were DHA and industrially produced trans FA (iTFA). Experiments were carried out using pooled milk samples from US (n = 5) and Malawian women (n = 50). Experiments compared liquid vs. DMS samples (n = 55), assessed stability of FA composition under different storage conditions (n = 5), and compared the results from two different labs using the same methods (n = 5).ResultsBoth % DHA and % iTFA levels in liquid and DMS samples were strongly correlated (R2 = 0.99 and 0.99, respectively, P < 0.0001). The % DHA in DMS samples was stable for up to four weeks at room temperature and up to three years at -80 °C; only slight deviations from the acceptable range of variability (±15 %) occurred in the 4 °C and -20 °C conditions for % DHA. The % iTFA was stable under all conditions. All % DHA and % iTFA were within 15 % of the referent when analyzed in two laboratories.ConclusionsValid FA composition values can be obtained from DMS samples using this robust collection and transport system which should facilitate studies of the role of milk FA composition in infant development.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13006-016-0060-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Lipid profile analysis in spinal trauma patients shows severe distortion of AA/DHA after injury

Toward optimizing vision and cognition in term infants by dietary docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acid supplementation: A review of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundIn response to major challenges regarding the supply and sustainability of marine ingredients in aquafeeds, the aquaculture industry has made a large-scale shift toward plant-based substitutions for fish oil and fish meal. But, this also led to lower levels of healthful n−3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)—especially eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids—in flesh. One potential solution is to select fish with better abilities to retain or synthesise PUFAs, to increase the efficiency of aquaculture and promote the production of healthier fish products. To this end, we aimed i) to estimate the genetic variability in fatty acid (FA) composition in visceral fat quantified by Raman spectroscopy, with respect to both individual FAs and groups under a feeding regime with limited n-3 PUFAs; ii) to study the genetic and phenotypic correlations between FAs and processing yields- and fat-related traits; iii) to detect QTLs associated with FA composition and identify candidate genes; and iv) to assess the efficiency of genomic selection compared to pedigree-based BLUP selection.ResultsProportions of the various FAs in fish were indirectly estimated using Raman scattering spectroscopy. Fish were genotyped using the 57 K SNP Axiom™ Trout Genotyping Array. Following quality control, the final analysis contained 29,652 SNPs from 1382 fish. Heritability estimates for traits ranged from 0.03 ± 0.03 (n-3 PUFAs) to 0.24 ± 0.05 (n-6 PUFAs), confirming the potential for genomic selection. n-3 PUFAs are positively correlated to a decrease in fat deposition in the fillet and in the viscera but negatively correlated to body weight. This highlights the potential interest to combine selection on FA and against fat deposition to improve nutritional merit of aquaculture products. Several QTLs were identified for FA composition, containing multiple candidate genes with indirect links to FA metabolism. In particular, one region on Omy1 was associated with n-6 PUFAs, monounsaturated FAs, linoleic acid, and EPA, while a region on Omy7 had effects on n-6 PUFAs, EPA, and linoleic acid. When we compared the effectiveness of breeding programmes based on genomic selection (using a reference population of 1000 individuals related to selection candidates) or on pedigree-based selection, we found that the former yielded increases in selection accuracy of 12 to 120% depending on the FA trait.ConclusionThis study reveals the polygenic genetic architecture for FA composition in rainbow trout and confirms that genomic selection has potential to improve EPA and DHA proportions in aquaculture species.

A high-fat diet (HFD) during pregnancy promotes fat accumulation and reduces docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in the liver of the offspring at postnatal ages, which can depend on fetal sex. However, the prenatal mechanisms behind these associations are still unclear. Thus, we analyzed if an HFD alters DHA content and the expression of molecules related to fatty acid (FA) metabolism in the fetal liver. Female C57BL/6 mice were fed a control diet or HFD for 4-6 weeks before pregnancy until the gestational day (GD) 17.5. A subgroup of each diet received DHA (100 mg/Kg) orally from GD 6.5 until 16.5. On GD 17.5, maternal livers, placentas, and livers from male and female fetuses were collected for FA profiling with gas-chromatography and gene expression of molecules related to FA metabolism using qPCR. PPAR-α protein expression was evaluated using Western blot. The gene expression of placental FA transporters was also assessed. An HFD increased eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and decreased DHA levels and protein expression of PPAR-α in the fetal livers of both sexes. DHA increased the gene expression of Ppara, Cpt1, and Acsl1 in the livers of female fetuses. Therefore, an HFD reduces DHA levels and PPAR-α, a master regulator of gene expression, in the fetal liver. In turn, the livers of female fetuses seem to be more sensitive to DHA action.

The nutritional requirements of preterm infants for the long chain polyunsaturated essential fatty acids, arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have not been clearly defined. The present study evaluated preterm infants of less than 2.3 kg birth weight fed a commercial formula (Preemie SMA) devoid of AA and DHA and compared this control group with similar infant groups fed one of three formulas containing a range of 0.32 to 1.1% AA and 0.24 to 0.76% DHA. An analogous group of infants fed their mothers' breast milk and a breast milk fortifier (when indicated) was also studied. Erythrocyte membrane phospholipids were isolated from blood samples collected at 12 d of age and after a further 4 wk of feeding. Infants fed the formula without AA and DHA showed a reduction in AA level in erythrocyte phosphatidylcholine, and a reduced level of DHA in phosphatidylethanolamine in comparison with infants fed breast milk or infant formula containing AA and DHA. Supplementing infant formula with increasing levels of AA and DHA produced a clear dose response in the levels of AA and DHA found in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids. From comparison of membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition it appears that a formula level of 0.32-1.1% AA and 0.24-0.76% DHA provides sufficient levels of these fatty acids to achieve a similar fatty acid composition to that of infants fed human milk for most of the lipid fractions examined.

Preferential distribution of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in phospatidyl ethanolamine fraction of Guinea pig alveolar apical membranes

Objective: In India, there is a rise in non-communicable diseases due to diets deficient in vitamin B12, low in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and increased consumption of westernized diet. The present study aims to examine the effect of maternal high fat diet (HFD) in absence of vitamin B12 on pregnancy outcome and tissue fatty acid composition in dams.Methods: Pregnant Wistar rats were assigned to following diets: Control (C), HFD, High fat diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids (HFDO), 4) High fat diet deficient in vitamin B12 (HFBD), High fat deficient in vitamin B12 supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids (HFBDO).Results: There was no effect on pregnancy outcome as a consequence of different dietary treatments. The levels of DHA in HFBD group were lower (p < 0.05 for both) in placenta as compared to both control and HFD groups, which were improved by omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.Conclusion: This data suggests that maternal HFD (using dairy fat) did not adversely affect pregnancy outcome. However, maternal HFBD reduced levels of placental DHA. This may have implications for reduced fetal brain growth and development.

Nakanishi, T., Ohgushi, A., Yamashita, T., Sashihara, K., Takagi, T., Dobashi, E., Kamegai, T., Kasai, M., Yoshimatsu, T. and Furuse, M. 2001. Effect of orally administered conjugated linoleic acids on behaviors and tissue fatty acid compositions in mice. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 157–170. To compare the influences of the oral administration of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) on behaviors and fatty acid composition of some tissues with those of linoleic acid, (LA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), mice (8-week old) were orally administered with oils containing high levels of CLA DHA or LA for 4 weeks (6 days per week, 0.2 ml per day). Control, group was administered with saline. Behavioral tests such as locomotor activity swim test elevated plus maze lest and biting test, were done on the commencement of the study (0 week) and 2 and 4 weeks after treatments. No significant changes were observed in, all the parameters. Oral. CLA increased the liver weight and reduced the epididymal, white adipose tissue weight. The ratio of arachidonic acid to total, fatty acids was significantly increased by LA and decreased, by CLA compared with the control, especially in the liver. Small amounts of CLA were detected in the brain of mice administered with CLA or LA groups, but, not detected, in mice of the control and DHA groups. The level of DHA in the brain was not altered by DHA administration. It is concluded that oral administration of CLA influenced some tissues but not behaviours of mice at least after growth.

DHA is an important component of the brain. Red blood cell (RBC) DHA levels are thought to be related to brain DHA content and to visual acuity in infancy. The DHA content of the RBC of infants is determined by the DHA content of the feeding. To assess the effects of different levels of formula DHA on RBC DHA levels of infants, we conducted a multi-center, double-blind, prospective study. Infants were randomized to one of two infant formulas: Formula Higher DHA with DHA at 0.32% of total fatty acids, similar to worldwide mean levels found in breast milk, and Formula Lower DHA with DHA at 0.15% of total fatty acids, similar to lower levels typically found in breast milk in the USA. Infants were fed study formula from 14 through 120 days of age. Fatty acids in blood lipid fractions were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography at 120 days of age. The table summarizes DHA levels in total-RBC lipids, RBC-phosphatidylcholine (RBC-PC), RBC-phosphatidylethanolamine (RBC-PE), and plasma phospholipids (Plasma-PL) at 120 days (% of total fatty acids, Mean ± SE). Both formulas were well tolerated, and infants in both groups had similar growth. We conclude that infants fed formula containing higher levels of DHA have significantly higher circulating levels of DHA. We speculate that greater incorporation of DHA into brain and retinal tissues may result from higher circulating levels of RBC DHA. Fig. 1