Α-linolenic Acid Research Articles

Review on Silk Worm Pupal Meal: A Protein Source in Aquatic Animal Nutrition as a Replacement of Fish Meal

Amongst the insect meals, silkworm pupal meal is the most efficient fish meal replacement. It can be utilized in aquatic animal feeds as pupal meal, deoiled silkworm pupal meal and fermented pupal meal, to increase growth performance. It also has a significant impact on animal body composition and digestive enzyme activity. India is the world's second-largest producer of silk, and a vast amount of silkworm pupae waste is discharged into the environment, which can be used as protein in feed. It has a strong nutritional profile that is near or equal to fish meal, consists of 50-80% of crude protein on dry matter, rich in important amino acid profile, (methionine 3.5, lysine 7.0, aspartic acid 10.4, threonine 5.2, serine 5.0, glutamic acid 13.9, proline 5.2, glycine 4.8, alanine 5.8, cystine 1.0, valine 5.5, isoleucine 5.1, leucine 7.5, tyrosine 5.9, phenylalanine 5.1, histidine 2.6, and arginine 5.6) and lipid content ranges from 20-40% in freshly spent pupa and less than 10% in defatted pupa. The oil derived from pupa is high in alpha-linolenic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid and the gross energy values range from 5.09 to 6.28 MJ/kg. It also contains interesting minerals and vitamins, which piqued the interest of researchers in its use in aqua feed. Aside from the nutritional profile, nutrient digestibility, and the effect of diet on organoleptic quality revealed that SWP meal is equivalent to fish meal in all respects. So, the current review focuses on the effects of silkworm pupal meal on aquatic animals when supplied through diets.

Metabolomic analysis of the browning and browning inhibition pulp of Fuji apple at different ripening stages

Apples at different ripening stages display distinct processing properties and browning characteristics in products. This study aimed to identify differential metabolites and metabolic pathways of browning pulp and browning inhibition pulp of Fuji apple across four ripening stages (M1–M4), corresponding to days after full bloom (DAFB: 148, 155, 162, and 171). We investigated the physicochemical characteristics, browning-related enzyme activities, and metabolomic profiles of apples at the four stages, revealing defensive metabolic changes associated with browning throughout ripening. Specifically, the browning rate in apples increased with ripening, peaking before declining in the late stages, and exhibited positive correlations with activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), and negative correlations with superoxide dismutase (SOD), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and H2O2 levels. Metabolomic profiling identified 315, 393, and 243 distinct metabolites in fresh control (FC), browning pulp (BR), and browning-inhibited pulps (CM) of apple at the four ripening stages, respectively. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that FC and BR of the four ripening apples were differentiated by phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, while CM was featured by flavonoid biosynthesis. The characterized differential metabolites in BR were changed to α-linolenic acid metabolism with ripening, while those in CM were from flavonoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, the in-depth analysis revealed 40 significantly differential metabolites associated with amino acid, nucleotide, coenzyme, and vitamin metabolism, potentially modulating the stress-responsive cellular redox balance. This research provides critical insights for browning prevention in the processing of fruits at various ripening stages.

Supercritical CO2 and Conventional Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Different Cultivars of Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) Pomace

The main objective of this work was to extract bioactive compounds from different cultivars of blackberry pomace using conventional Soxhlet and supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) extraction methods. For Soxhlet extraction, two different solvents, ethanol and n-hexane, were used. Qualitative and quantitative composition of fatty acids was determined by GC, carotenoids and chlorophylls by HPLC, and volatile organic compounds were identified with an e-nose based on GC. The yield of the extract was influenced by the extraction, while the qualitative content of the extracts was also dependent on the cultivar. While there were no differences in the types of fatty acids extracted, their content varied significantly depending on the cultivar, extraction method, and their interaction. The results showed that linoleic acid (C18:2), oleic acid (C18:1), and α-linolenic acid (C18:3) were the most prevalent in all cultivars of blackberry pomace extracts. The linoleic acid content varied from 33.33 to 64.77% depending on the variety, and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 varied from 3.17% to 5.71%. Significantly higher quantities of carotenoids and chlorophylls were obtained in Soxhlet extraction with n-hexane in all extracts. The major carotenoid in the ‘Orkan’ and ‘Polar’ extracts was lutein, while in the ‘Brzezina’ extract, it was β-carotene. The extraction method has a significant impact on the flavor profile of the extracts.

Effect of alpha-linolenic acid on aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity and RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway in kidney.

Aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity stands as a primary contributor to the development of acute intrinsic renal failure. Distinctive characteristic associated with this nephrotoxicity is the occurrence of tubular necrosis, which is why it is commonly referred to as acute tubular necrosis. Studies have demonstrated that inhibiting rhoA/rho-kinase pathway is beneficial for kidney damage induced by diabetes and renal ischemia. Comparable pathological conditions can be observed in aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity, like those found in diabetes and renal ischemia. Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside, is known to activate Rho/Rho-kinase pathway. The primary goal of this study is to explore influence of oxidative stress on this pathway by concurrently administering gentamicin and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) possessing known antioxidant properties. To achieve this, gentamicin (100 mg kg-1) and ALA (70 mg kg-1) were administered to mice for a period of 9 days, and Rho/Rho-kinase pathway was examined by using ELISA. Administration of gentamicin to mice led to an elevation in RhoA and rho-kinase II levels, along with the activity of rho-kinase in kidneys. However, ALA effectively reversed this heightened response. ALA, known for its antioxidant properties, inhibited activation of Rho/Rho-kinase pathway induced by gentamicin. This finding suggests that gentamicin induces nephrotoxicity through oxidative stress.

Molecular Mechanism of Mok I Gene Overexpression in Enhancing Monacolin K Production in Monascus pilosus.

Monascus species are capable of producing various active metabolites, including monacolin K (MK) and pigments. Studies have shown that the overexpression of the mok I gene from the MK synthesis gene cluster in Monascus species can significantly increase MK production; however, the molecular mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study focused on the mok I gene of Monascus pilosus to construct overexpression strains of the mok I gene, resulting in high-yield MK production. Sixteen positive transformants were obtained, seven of which produced 9.63% to 41.39% more MK than the original strain, with no citrinin detected in any of the transformants. The qRT-PCR results revealed that the expression levels of mok I in the transformed strains TI-13, TI-24, and TI-25 increased by more than 50% compared to the original strain at various fermentation times, with the highest increase being 10.9-fold. Furthermore, multi-omics techniques were used to analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying enhanced MK production in transformed strains. The results indicated that mok I overexpression may enhance MK synthesis in M. pilosus by regulating the expression of key genes (such as MAO, HPD, ACX, and PLC) and the synthesis levels of key metabolites (such as delta-tocopherol and alpha-linolenic acid) in pathways linked to the biosynthesis of cofactors, the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, tyrosine metabolism, ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. These findings provide a theoretical basis for further study of the metabolic regulation of MK in Monascus species and for effectively enhancing their MK production.

Expression Profiles of Fatty Acid Transporters and the Role of n-3 and n-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Porcine Endometrium.

Fatty acids (FAs) are important for cell membrane composition, eicosanoid synthesis, and metabolic processes. Membrane proteins that facilitate FA transport into cells include FA translocase (also known as CD36) and FA transporter proteins (encoded by SLC27A genes). The present study aimed to examine expression profiles of FA transporters in the endometrium of cyclic and early pregnant gilts on days 3 to 20 after estrus and the possible regulation by conceptus signals and polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs). The effect of PUFAs on prostaglandin (PG) synthesis and transcript abundance of genes related to FA action and metabolism, angiogenesis, and immune response was also determined. Day after estrus and reproductive status of animals affected FA transporter expression, with greater levels of CD36, SLC27A1, and SLC27A4 observed in pregnant than in cyclic gilts. Conceptus-conditioned medium and/or estradiol-17β stimulated SLC27A1 and CD36 expression. Among PUFAs, linoleic acid decreased SLC27A1 and SLC27A6 mRNA expression, while arachidonic, docosahexaenoic, and eicosapentaenoic acids increased SLC27A4 transcript abundance. Moreover, arachidonic acid stimulated ACOX1, CPT1A, and IL1B expression and increased PGE2 and PGI2 secretion. In turn, α-linolenic acid up-regulated VEGFA, FGF2, FABP4, and PPARG mRNA expression. These results indicate the presence of an active transport of FAs in the porcine endometrium and the role of PUFAs as modulators of the uterine activity during conceptus implantation.

Transcriptional Analysis of Different Cultivars and Genome-Wide Identification of FAD Gene Family in Tree Peony

The tree peony (Paeonia ostii), a newly recognized woody oil plant endemic to China, is noteworthy for its high content of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Fatty acid desaturases (FADs) are integral to plant development and defense mechanisms. Nonetheless, there is limited understanding of (i) the molecular mechanism underlying FA biosynthesis in various varieties during seed maturation and (ii) a genome-wide analysis of FAD family genes within the tree peony. We selected three distinct cultivars of tree peony for transcriptome sequencing and performed an extensive analysis of PoFAD genes. In total, 67,542 unigenes were acquired and annotated with six protein databases available to the public. Forty-one differentially expressed genes (DEGs) pertinent to FA biosynthesis and lipid metabolism were identified in this study. Notably, genes such as PoFAD2, PoFAD6, and PoSAD were found to be significantly upregulated, contributing to a differential linolenic acid and linoleic acid content across the three cultivars. Herein, 24 PoFADs from the P. ostii genome were recognized and categorized into four distinct clusters according to their conserved structural features. The distribution of PoFADs was found to be random and uneven across five chromosomes, indicating a complex genomic architecture. Six colinear gene pairs were found between P. ostii and V. vinifera, indicating a potential link due to their close relationship. Together, these findings significantly enhance our knowledge of the molecular processes governing fatty acid synthesis, elucidate the functional roles of the FAD gene family, and lay the groundwork for using genetic manipulation to boost lipid levels.

Characteristics of intestinal microbiota in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease in infants and children

To study the composition, abundance, and functional profiles of the intestinal microbiota in infants and young children with Kawasaki disease (KD) during the acute phase, and to explore the potential role of intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of KD. Six children aged 0-3 years with acute KD admitted to the Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from July to October 2021 were prospectively included as the KD group. Six age- and sex-matched healthy children who underwent physical examinations at the hospital during the same period were selected as the healthy control group. Metagenomics sequencing was used to detect and compare the differences in the microflora structure and functional profiles of fecal samples between the two groups. There were significant differences in the structural composition and diversity of intestinal microbiota between the two groups (P<0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, the abundance of Listeria_monocytogenes (family Listeriaceae and genus Listeria), Bifidobacterium_rousetti, Enterococcus_avium, and Enterococcus_hirae was significantly higher in the intestinal microbiota in the KD group (|LDA|>2.0, P<0.05). The steroid degradation and apoptosis pathways were significantly upregulated in the KD group compared with the healthy control group, while the Bacterial_secretion_system, Sulfur_metabolism, Butanoate_metabolism, Benzoate_degradation, β-alanine metabolism, and α-linolenic acid pathways were significantly downregulated (|LDA|>2, P<0.05). There are significant differences in the structure and diversity of intestinal microbiota between children aged 0-3 years with acute KD and healthy children, suggesting that disturbances in intestinal microbiota occur during the acute phase of KD. In particular, Listeria_monocytogenes, Enterococcus_avium, and Enterococcus_hirae may be involved in the pathogenesis of KD through steroid degradation and apoptosis pathways.

Defatted Flaxseed Flour as a New Ingredient for Foodstuffs: Comparative Analysis with Whole Flaxseeds and Updated Composition of Cold-Pressed Oil.

Flaxseeds are functional foods popular in current diets. Cold-pressing is a solvent-free method to extract flaxseed oil, resulting in a by-product-defatted flour. This study compared whole flaxseeds and defatted flour (proximate composition, fatty acids, vitamin E, total phenolics and flavonoids, antioxidant activity, amino acids, and protein quality) and updated the composition of cold-pressed oil (oxidative stability, peroxide value, UV absorbance, colour, fatty acids, vitamin E, total phenolics and flavonoids, and antioxidant activity) to assess the nutritional relevance and potential for food applications of these samples. The flour had higher ash (6% vs. 4%), fibre (36% vs. 34%), protein (28% vs. 16%), phenolics (205 vs. 143 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g), and antioxidant activity than seeds (p < 0.05), so it should be valued as a novel high-fibre food ingredient with high-quality plant-based protein, as it contains all essential amino acids (106 mg/g) and a high essential amino acids index (112%), with L-tryptophan as the limiting amino acid. The oil, while low in oxidative stability (1.3 h), due to its high polyunsaturated fatty acids sum (75%), mostly α-linolenic acid (57%), contains a significant amount of vitamin E (444 mg/kg), making it a specialty oil best consumed raw. The exploration of the flour as a minimally processed food ingredient highlights its role in supporting food security, circular economy, and sustainability goals, aligning with consumer preferences for natural, low-fat foods. Future research should investigate the bioactivity and shelf-life of the samples, as well as the bioavailability of compounds after digestion.

Association of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids intake and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults

ABSTRACT Objective Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a crucial role in maintaining and improving cognitive function and brain health. The aim of this study was to assess the association between omega-3 PUFA intake and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults in Saudi Arabia. Methods Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The frequency and quantity of omega-3 PUFA intake were assessed using an omega-3 food frequency questionnaire. Results A total of 175 participants were recruited for this study. Participants in the lowest omega-3 PUFA tertile group scored significantly lower in the visuospatial/executive and attention cognitive domains (p < 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, the higher intake of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) was significantly associated with higher scores in the visuospatial/executive domain (p = 0.02) and the higher intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was significantly associated with higher scores in the attention domain (p = 0.04). The participants who did not consume walnuts showed a significant lower MoCA score than those who did (p = 0.005). No significant differences were found with other omega-3 PUFA sources. Conclusion Higher intake of omega-3 PUFAs was positively associated with visuospatial/executive and attention cognitive functions in middle-aged and older adults.

Flaxseed Oil Alleviates PFOS-Induced Liver Injury by Regulating Hepatic Cholesterol Metabolism.

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) is a widespread, persistent environmental pollutant that exerts apparent liver toxicity. Flaxseed oil (FO), a dietary oil rich in α-linolenic acid, has been demonstrated to possess a diverse array of health benefits. However, whether FO protects against PFOS-induced liver injury and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. C57/BL6 mice were orally treated with different concentrations of FO alone or in combination with 10 mg/kg of PFOS for 28 consecutive days. Blood and liver tissues were collected for proteomic, histopathological, biochemical, immunohistochemical, and molecular examinations. Results demonstrated that FO supplementation reduced PFOS-induced liver injury, as evidenced by a decrease in histopathological changes, serum transaminase (ALT and AST) levels, levels of oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) levels. Proteomic analyses showed that differentially expressed proteins were enriched in cholesterol metabolic pathways when comparing the PFOS group to the FO supplementation groups. The expression of cholesterol metabolism-related proteins was also subsequently measured, revealing that FO supplementation decreased the protein expressions of SREBP2, HMGCR, and LDLR while increasing the expression of CYP7A1. This study demonstrates that FO can alleviate PFOS-induced hepatotoxicity by regulating hepatic cholesterol metabolism, indicating that FO may serve as an effective dietary intervention for preventing liver injury caused by PFOS.

Growth and metabolism regulation of cinnamic acid and its derivatives to Auxenochlorella pyrenoidosa

Auxenochlorella pyrenoidosa's industrial utility is closely associated with the concentration of high-value products. This study focuses on the effects of cinnamic acid (CA) and its derivatives, which known as secondary metabolites in higher plants and effective plant growth regulators, on the growth and metabolic profiles of A. pyrenoidosa. It was discovered that CA and its derivatives significantly enhance the biomass of A. pyrenoidosa under conditions of 10 mg/L over 48 h or 100 mg/L over 120 h. Cells treated with 10 mg/L CA exhibited lower oxidative stress and maintained robust metabolic activity. Metabolic pathways, including those for carbohydrates, lipids, small peptides, and cofactors, were stimulated, leading to the accumulation of a wide array of bio-products, notably high-value products such as α-linolenic acid, cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide plus hydrogen (NADH), glutathione, and vitamins B2/B3. This study demonstrates that CA and its derivatives are good nutritional enhancers for cultivating A. pyrenoidosa, highlighting their potential for broad application in biotechnological industries.

Investigating the effects of co-supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid and L-carnitine on inflammatory status, oxidative stress, clinical symptoms, mental health and quality of life in women with migraine: a protocol for a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BackgroundMigraine is a severe neurological disorder that is recognized as one of the most common debilitating diseases worldwide. Although the exact cause of migraine is not known, research suggests that inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and insufficient nutrients may contribute to its development. Studies indicate that nutrition-based approaches are safer and more cost-effective strategies for managing migraine symptoms compared to medication. In this regard, the impact of nutrition, as a complementary medicine, is largely attributed to that of certain nutrients on inflammation and mitochondrial function. It is hypothesized that alpha-linolenic acid and L-carnitine, which possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may be synergically beneficial for migraine patients. Therefore, this study will be conducted to assess the efficacy of alpha-linolenic acid and L-carnitine co-supplementation in patients with migraine.MethodsThis is a parallel, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, in which 80 women aged 20 to 50 years with migraine will be assigned to receive either intervention group (n = 40) receiving both 1000 mg/day flaxseed oil and 500 mg/day L-carnitine simultaneously for 12 weeks, or control group (n = 40) receiving both 1000 mg/day paraffin oil and 500 mg/day maltodextrin as the placebos for the same duration. The primary outcomes include changes in clinical symptoms of migraine, including frequency, severity, and duration of attacks, serum levels of C–reactive protein (CRP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Secondary outcomes include mental health, sleep quality, and quality of life (QOL).DiscussionIn this study, we aim to investigate the potential benefits of combining alpha-linolenic acid and L-carnitine as a treatment option for migraine sufferers. Migraine, characterized by recurrent severe headaches, affects a significant portion of the population and can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. By studying alternative therapies such as alpha-linolenic acid and L-carnitine, researchers hope to expand the range of treatment options available and potentially provide relief to migraine sufferers.Trial registrationIranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir) (ID: IRCT20121216011763N57). Registration date: 29 March 2023.Trial statusThe protocol is version 1.0 dated December 30, 2023. Recruitment began on July 10, 2023, and is expected to be completed by January 22, 2024.

Wheat Peptides as Catalysts for Athletic Performance Improvement in Cross-Country Skiers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study investigated the efficacy of wheat peptide supplementation compared to regular proteins in elite cross-country skiers, providing insights into the metabolic and performance effects of these supplements in order to guide athletes in selecting optimal energy sources for training and competition. Nineteen healthy male cross-country skiers were enrolled and assigned to either the peptide group (PEP, n = 9) or the protein group (PRO, n = 10). A four-week intervention study involving supplementation with wheat peptides/regular proteins was conducted, and pre- and post-intervention assessments were performed to evaluate exercise capacity and metabolic profiles. The study found that the PEP group and the PRO group showed distinct within-group effects on exercise performance. The PEP group demonstrated improved aerobic capacity, including better performance in 10 km roller skating, an increased lactate threshold, and reduced resting blood lactate levels. The PRO group enhanced anaerobic capacity, such as improved sprint time, hexagon test performance, and lactate clearance. Metabolomic analysis revealed specific metabolic pathways affected in each group, with the PEP group showing impacts on the α-linolenic acid pathway and the PRO group on ketone body synthesis and degradation as well as vitamin B6 metabolism. Our findings indicate that wheat oligopeptides and regular proteins have comparable effects on exercise performance. However, the wheat peptides may offer greater advantages in enhancing aerobic capacity. No significant variations were observed in blood metabolite profiles between the two groups, but distinct metabolic pathways exhibited different responses.

Биохимический, минеральный и витаминный состав семян льна масличного белорусской селекции

Linseeds are a promising source of biologically valuable substances, essential amino acids, dietary fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. The article describes the biochemical, mineral, and vitamin composition of Belarusian flax varieties. The research objective was to select cultivars for functional food production. The study featured ten linseed cultivars, i.e., Ilim, Opus, Brestskiy, Salut, Fokus, Allyans, Dar, Vizir, Slavyanin, and Bonus. In 2020–2021, the authors planted plots of 1 m2 in triplicate for each cultivar. The experimental field belonged to the Institute of Flax, Ustye, Republic of Belarus. The study followed standar d methods to determine the content of micronutrients. All flax varieties proved to be a reliable source of vegetable fat (≤44.8%), protein (≤25.1%), and fiber (≤26.0%). The maximal content of α-linolenic acid belonged to Salut (63.0%), Vizir (61.4%), and Bonus (61.8%). The average mineral content was as follows: 7,500.0–10,625.0 mg/kg potassium, 5,700.0–7,522.5 mg/kg phosphorus, 2,300.0–2,605.0 mg/kg magnesium, 1,200.0–1,922.5 mg/kg calcium, 45.0–56.0 mg/kg iron, and 124.5–190.0 mg/kg sodium. The maximal content of vitamin B1 was registered in the samples of Salut (0.91 mg/100 g) and Brestskiy (1.08 mg/100 g); the maximal content of vitamin B2 belonged to the samples of Dar (0.058 mg/100 g), Ilim (0.057 mg/100 g), and Brestskiy (0.056 mg/100 g); the maximal content of vitamin E (tocopherol) was found in the samples of Salut (12.6 mg/100 g), Dar (12.07 mg/100 g), and Opus (12.35 mg/100 g). The linseeds were not suitable for high-quality food flour production after room temperature storage because the acid number increased by 64–73%. The excellent biological value of Belarusian flax cultivars demonstrated good prospects as highly active functional ingredients in new functional foods.

Effects of high α-linolenic acid transgenic rapeseed oil diet on growth performance, fat deposition, flesh quality, antioxidant capacity, and immunity of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LC-PUFA) increases in aquatic products contributes to improving meat quality, thereby positively impacting human health. Different from marine fish which primarily obtain n-3 LC-PUFAs directly from zooplankton and algae, freshwater fish mainly utilize dietary linolenic acid (ALA) as a substrate to synthesize n-3 LC-PUFAs. Our team has successfully created a transgenic rapeseed oil (TRO) with high ALA content. Therefore, we here assessed the impacts of four different diets (LR, low-fat rapeseed oil (RO) diet; HR, high-fat RO diet; LTR, low-fat TRO diet; HTR, high-fat TRO diet) on growth performance, lipid accumulation, fatty acid composition, antioxidant capacity, immunity and serum biochemical indexes of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), an economically valuable freshwater fish. The results showed no significant difference in survival rate among the four dietary groups. No significant differences in body weight gain and final weight were found between the LR and LTR groups, as well as between HR and HTR groups. No matter if it was a high-fat or low-fat diet, compared with the RO diet, TRO diets significantly increased the content of n-3 LC-PUFA, improved meat quality, effectively alleviated lipid accumulation in livers and muscles of juvenile largemouth bass. In addition, using high-fat diets, TRO diet improved the antioxidant capacity and immune ability of juvenile largemouth bass, thereby promoting the overall health of fish. This study provides novel insights for fish feed formulation optimization from the perspective of genetically modified feed ingredients, and high-quality aquatic products for human consumption.

α-Linolenic acid from Mori Folltfm found as Choloylglycine hydrolase inhibitor by the developed fluorescent probe to alleviate type 2 diabetes

Choloylglycine hydrolase (CH), also known as bile salt hydrolase, is expressed by intestinal microbiota and plays a key role in the hydrolysis of conjugated bile acids, influencing the composition and levels of various bile acids. In this study, a conjugate (CA-ACDI) of cholic acid and a semi-cyanine derivative was developed as an enzyme-activated fluorescent probe for detecting CH activity, showing potential applications in this area. By the high-throughput screening of CH activity using CA-ACDI, Mori Folium was identified as a significant CH inhibitor from a collection of 95 traditional herbal medicines. Further analysis using various chromatographic techniques and spectroscopic data identified α-linolenic acid as the key bioactive component in Mori Folium responsible for inhibiting CH activity. Importantly, α-Linolenic acid, as a natural CH inhibitor, was shown to significantly regulate glucose metabolism in a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mouse model via the FXR signaling pathway. This work not only developed a novel fluorescent probe for CH detection but also discovered potential CH inhibitors that may help alleviate type 2 diabetes.

Fatty Acid Composition Analysis of Some Apiaceae Plants Using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID)

Background/aim: The Apiaceae family, also referred to as the parsley or carrot family, comprises a diverse group of plants with significant ecological and economic importance. The fundamental building blocks of plant lipids, fatty acids are involved in a number of critical biological functions. Flame ionization detection in gas chromatography (GC-FID) is a potent analytical method widely used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of fatty acid composition in plant samples. Materials and methods: In this study, we investigated the fatty acid profiles of several Apiaceae plants using GC-FID to elucidate their lipid composition and potential applications. Results: A wide spectrum of fatty acids was confirmed, ranging from C6:0 to C22:6. Astrodaucus orientalis leaf and fruit were found rich in palmitic acid (C16:0; 35.96% and 37.65%, respectively). Ferulago asparagifolia was determined as the richest sample in terms of poly-unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid (C18:2 cis, 25.65%), alpha linoleic acid (C18:3n3, 7.42%) and eicosadienoic acid (C20:2, 32.66%). Ferulago syriaca ethanol and hexane extracts contained considerable amount of oleic acid (C 18:1 n9, 40. 37% and 49.19%, respectively). Conclusion: Our review of the literature revealed that no prior reports have been made about the fatty acid compositions of Astrodaucus orientalis, Ferulago asparagifolia and Ferulago syriaca. As a result, the information provided here may be the first to describe the fatty acid contents of these species. Exploring the lipid profiles of these plants can enhance their potential applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Targeted LC-MS/MS method of oxylipin profiling reveals differentially expressed serum metabolites in type 2 diabetes mice with panaxynol

Panaxynol is a bioactive polyacetylene in food plants; however, its specific benefits in diabetes and metabolic disorders remain unclear. Previous studies have mainly focused on biochemical indicators and clinical evaluations. Limited research has systematically elucidated the beneficial effects of panaxynol from the oxylipins perspective. In this study, we employed an oxylipin analysis platform we previously established using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) based on the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method for the profiling of oxylipins. After a 7-week administration of panaxynol to db/db mice, significant alterations in serum oxylipins and potential benefits to hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis were observed. Our analysis also revealed correlations among epoxygenase products derived from arachidonic acid (AA), linoleic acid (LA), and α-linolenic acid (ALA) via cytochrome P450 (CYP) pathways. Furthermore, six potential oxylipins were identified, as offering insights into the mechanisms by which panaxynol may modulate diabetes. These results provide the first in vivo evidence of the impact of panaxynol on oxylipin metabolism and lay the foundation for developing panaxynol as a nutraceutical for diabetes management.

A Method to Estimate the Dietary α-Linolenic Acid Requirement Using Nonesterified DHA and Arachidonic Acid Oxylipins and Fatty Acids

BackgroundThe dietary requirement for α-linolenic acid (ALA) remains unclear, as evidenced by the absence of an RDA for this essential fatty acid (FA). In previous studies, we observed that the amount of dietary ALA required to maximize nonesterified (NE) DHA oxylipins appears to be higher than the amount required to maximize tissue esterified DHA levels, which have classically been used to estimate the ALA requirement. Further, we observed that dietary ALA reduces esterified arachidonic acid (ARA) and its NE oxylipins. ObjectivesSince NE oxylipins and FA mediate the biological activities of FA, we examined whether these DHA and ARA pools could be used to determine the dietary ALA requirement. MethodsNine groups of 4-wk-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 5) and 10 groups of male and female CD1 mice (n = 6) were provided 0.1–2.5 g ALA and 2 g of linoleic acid per 100 g of AIN93G-based diets. NE DHA and ARA and their oxylipins in serum, liver, kidney, and brain homogenates underwent solid phase extraction and were quantified by HPLC-MS/MS. Breakpoint analysis of transitions from increase to plateau was conducted using piecewise regression. ResultsIn response to increasing dietary ALA, NE DHA oxylipins, and DHA in serum, liver, and kidney (but not the brain) initially increased rapidly and then plateaued whereas ARA oxylipins and ARA tended to decrease and plateau. Thus, breakpoints were calculated for the ratios of DHA/ARA and hydroxy-DHA/hydroxy-ARA (DHAOH/ARAOH), which consisted of oxylipins synthesized via pathways common to both FA. In serum, liver, and kidney, the highest estimated breakpoint indicated an ALA requirement of ∼0.7 g/100 g diet (1.7% energy), approximately twice that of previous estimations. ConclusionsThis study supports the use of NE DHAOH/ARAOH or DHA/ARA as biochemical indicators of the ALA requirement. Applying this method in rats and mice indicates that the requirement is higher than previously estimated using esterified DHA alone.