Adipose Tissue DHA Research Articles

EPA and DHA in adipose tissue and the risk of ischemic stroke -a Danish case-cohort study

EPA and DHA in adipose tissue and the risk of ischemic stroke -a Danish case-cohort study

Abstract 12418: Fish Consumption and Adipose Tissue Content of Marine n-3 PUFA is Inversely Associated With Myocardial Infarction: A Danish Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Several studies have investigated the potential benefits from marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on cardiovascular disease, generally suggesting a lower risk of coronary heart disease. However, recent trials have questioned these results and clinical guidelines are currently at debate. Hypothesis: This study investigated the association of fish consumption, intake of marine n-3 PUFA and adipose tissue content of marine n-3 PUFA with incident myocardial infarction (MI), expecting to find an inverse relationship. Methods: In a Danish prospective cohort study 57,053 subjects between the age of 50-64 years were enrolled from 1993-97. From national registries we identified all cases of incident MI. Dietary intake of total, fatty and lean fish was assessed using a semi-quantitative food questionnaire, and analyzed in a traditional cohort design. Adipose tissue biopsies were analyzed for all MI-cases and a randomly selected sub-cohort (n=3409). Associations between adipose tissue content of major marine n-3 PUFA and MI were examined using a nested case-cohort design. Results: During a mean follow-up time of 15.9 years, we identified 3,089 cases of incident MI. In both men and women, a high intake of fatty fish (>28 g/day) was inversely related to incident MI. Comparing the highest and lowest quintile, we found a 12 % lower relative risk in men (HR=0.88; 95% CI: 0.77;1.00) and a 24% lower relative risk in women (HR=0.76; 95% CI: 0.61;0.95). Total and lean fish was neutrally associated with MI. Furthermore, high content of EPA and DHA in adipose tissue was negatively associated with incident MI. However, only EPA remained statistically significant after multivariate adjustments with a HR of 0.76 (CI: 0.59;0.98) for men and HR of 0.65 (CI: 0.45;0.94) for women. Conclusions: Incident MI was inversely associated with fatty fish intake and content of EPA in adipose tissue. This study supports the view that consumption of fatty fish may protect against MI.

The global availability of n-3 fatty acids

To assess the validity of FAO data on the availability of fish and vegetable oils as an indicator of national n-3 fatty acid (FA) intake and to estimate the worldwide population living in countries with low n-3 FA intake. Levels of the essential FA α-linolenic acid (ALA) and DHA, measured by GC in adipose tissue from participants in the present study and from published studies in eleven other countries, were used to validate ALA and fish availability estimated from FAO food balance sheets. On the basis of the validated FAO data for ALA and fish availability, we estimated the global prevalence of low n-3 FA availability. Rural and urban areas of Bulgaria. Fifty men and fifty-eight women. Adipose tissue ALA and DHA levels (0·34 % and 0·11 % of total FA, respectively) in Bulgaria were lower than those of the eleven other countries with available data. A strong positive correlation was found between adipose tissue DHA and fish availability (r = 0·88) and between adipose tissue ALA and ALA availability (r = 0·92). Approximately half of the world's population lived in middle- and low-income countries with limited access to n-3 FA (fish < 400 g/week and ALA < 4 % of total vegetable oils), with the largest proportion being in South-East Asia (53·6 %), followed by Africa (27·1 %) and Eastern Europe (8·5 %). Of this half, 33 % lived in countries such as Bulgaria where n-3 FA was almost unavailable (fish < 200 g/week and ALA < 2 % of total vegetable oils). Very low availability of n-3 FA is extensive worldwide.

Adipose DHA inversely associated with depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory

This study attempts to detect potential associations between depression and adipose docosahexaenoic acid (c22:6 n-3) (DHA), a valid indicator for long-term dietary intake of DHA, in a profoundly religious group that strictly adheres to the Orthodox Christian Church (OCC) rituals and lifestyle. A total of 24 strict fasters and 27 control subjects were included in the study. The two study groups did not differ with regard to depressive symptoms distribution. Adipose tissue DHA was inversely associated with depression, while adherence to the OCC diet was strongly correlated with adipose DHA levels compared to controls. In conclusion, increased long-term dietary DHA intake was associated with decreased depression occurrence, whereas adherence to the OCC dietary recommendations, which allows for frequent fish and seafood consumption, was associated with increased adipose and dietary DHA levels, known for their essential role on optimal neuronal function and protection against a number of chronic diseases.

Depression and long chain n-3 fatty acids in adipose tissue in adults from Crete

Only one study has investigated the relationship of essential fatty acids in the adipose tissue with depression in adults and suggested an inverse relationship between docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) (DHA) and depression. To examine the relation between adipose tissue polyunsaturated fatty acids especially n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, an index of long-term or habitual fatty acid intake, and depression in adults. Cross-sectional study of healthy adults from the island of Crete. The Preventive Medicine and Nutrition Clinic, University of Crete, Greece. A total of 130 healthy adults (59 males, 71 females) aged 22-58 years. The sample was a sub-sample of the Greek ApoEurope study group. Fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography in adipose tissue. Information about depression was obtained through the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale. Adipose tissue DHA was inversely related with depression. Multiple linear regression analysis taking into account the possible confounding effect of age, gender, body mass index, smoking and educational level confirmed this association. The inverse relationship between adipose DHA and depression in adults, replicates findings of a previous study. This relationship indicates that a low long-term dietary intake of DHA is associated with an increased risk for depression in adults.

Depression—the diet connection

This study attempts to detect potential associations between depression and adipose docosahexaenoic acid (c22:6 n-3) (DHA), a valid indicator for long-term dietary intake of DHA, in a profoundly religious group that strictly adheres to the Orthodox Christian Church (OCC) rituals and lifestyle. A total of 24 strict fasters and 27 control subjects were included in the study. The two study groups did not differ with regard to depressive symptoms distribution. Adipose tissue DHA was inversely associated with depression, while adherence to the OCC diet was strongly correlated with adipose DHA levels compared to controls. In conclusion, increased long-term dietary DHA intake was associated with decreased depression occurrence, whereas adherence to the OCC dietary recommendations, which allows for frequent fish and seafood consumption, was associated with increased adipose and dietary DHA levels, known for their essential role on optimal neuronal function and protection against a number of chronic diseases.

Biomarkers of habitual fish intake in adipose tissue

The association between habitual fish and marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake, and the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat was studied in 24 healthy young volunteers. Habitual dietary intakes were estimated from three 7-d weighted food records made at months 0, 5, and 8 of the 8-mo study period. The adipose tissue fatty acid composition of each individual was determined by gas chromatography as the mean of two gluteal biopsies, obtained in the first and the last month of the study. The daily consumption of fish and of marine n-3 PUFAs in absolute terms (g/d) was significantly associated with adipose tissue docosahexaenoic acid content (DHA; r = 0.55 and 0.58, respectively, P < 0.001), but not with eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic acid contents. Our study indicates that the adipose tissue DHA content is the biomarker of choice for the assessment of long-term habitual dietary intakes of fish and marine n-3 PUFAs.