Consumption Of Fatty Fish Research Articles

To what extent is the familial risk of rheumatoid arthritis explained by established rheumatoid arthritis risk factors?

Family history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the strongest risk factors for developing RA, and information on family history is, therefore, routinely collected in clinical practice. However, as more genetic and environmental risk factors shared by relatives are identified, the importance of family history may diminish. The aim of this study was to determine how much of the familial risk of RA can be explained by established genetic and nongenetic risk factors. History of RA among first-degree relatives of individuals in the Epidemiological Investigation of Rheumatoid Arthritis case-control study was assessed through linkage to the Swedish Multigeneration Register and the Swedish Patient Register. We used logistic regression models to investigate the decrease in familial risk after successive adjustment for combinations of nongenetic risk factors (smoking, alcohol intake, parity, silica exposure, body mass index, fatty fish consumption, and education), and genetic risk factors (shared epitope [SE] and 76 single-nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]). Established nongenetic risk factors did not explain familial risk of either seropositive or seronegative RA to any significant degree. Genetic risk factors accounted for a limited proportion of the familial risk of seropositive RA (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.10, SE-adjusted OR 3.72, SNP-adjusted OR 3.46, and SE and SNP-adjusted OR 3.35). Established risk factors only provided an explanation for familial risk of RA in minor part, suggesting that many (familial) risk factors remain to be identified, in particular for seronegative RA. Family history of RA therefore remains an important clinical risk factor for RA, the value of which has not yet been superseded by other information. There is thus a need for further etiologic studies of both seropositive and seronegative RA.

What Are n-7 Fatty Acids and Are There Health Benefits Associated with Them?

What Are n-7 Fatty Acids and Are There Health Benefits Associated with Them?

Nontargeted Metabolite Profiling Discriminates Diet-Specific Biomarkers for Consumption of Whole Grains, Fatty Fish, and Bilberries in a Randomized Controlled Trial1–3

Nontargeted metabolite profiling allows for concomitant examination of a wide range of metabolite species, elucidating the metabolic alterations caused by dietary interventions. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of dietary modifications on the basis of increasing consumption of whole grains, fatty fish, and bilberries on plasma metabolite profiles to identify applicable biomarkers for dietary intake and endogenous metabolism. Metabolite profiling analysis was performed on fasting plasma samples collected in a 12-wk parallel-group intervention with 106 participants with features of metabolic syndrome who were randomly assigned to 3 dietary interventions: 1) whole-grain products, fatty fish, and bilberries [healthy diet (HD)]; 2) a whole-grain-enriched diet with the same grain products as in the HD intervention but with no change in fish or berry consumption; and 3) refined-wheat breads and restrictions on fish and berries (control diet). In addition, correlation analyses were conducted with the food intake data to define the food items correlating with the biomarker candidates. Nontargeted metabolite profiling showed marked differences in fasting plasma after the intervention diets compared with the control diet. In both intervention groups, a significant increase was observed in 2 signals identified as glucuronidated alk(en)-ylresorcinols [corrected P value (Pcorr) < 0.05], which correlated strongly with the intake of whole-grain products (r = 0.63, P < 0.001). In addition, the HD intervention increased the signals for furan fatty acids [3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionic acid (CMPF)], hippuric acid, and various lipid species incorporating polyunsaturated fatty acids (Pcorr < 0.05). In particular, plasma CMPF correlated strongly with the intake of fish (r = 0.47, P < 0.001) but not with intakes of any other foods. Novel biomarkers of the intake of health-beneficial food items included in the Nordic diet were identified by the metabolite profiling of fasting plasma and confirmed by the correlation analyses with dietary records. The one with the most potential was CMPF, which was shown to be a highly specific biomarker for fatty fish intake. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00573781.

Lifestyle and Dietary Factors Associated with Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels in Korean Young Adults

Inadequate vitamin D status is highly prevalent in the Korean population, especially among young adults. Nonetheless, correlates of suboptimal vitamin D levels in young adults are not well defined. This study aimed to investigate potentially modifiable determinants of vitamin D levels in young adults in Korea. This cross-sectional study was based on health check-up data from 3,450 healthy male and female university students aged 18-29 yr in Seoul between April and May 2013. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were determined using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Anthropometric data were measured, and lifestyle, dietary, and sociodemographic factors were obtained through self-administered questionnaires. General linear regression was used to assess correlates of serum 25(OH)D levels. The mean serum 25(OH)D level was 11.1 ng/mL, and the prevalence of 25(OH)D levels less than 10 ng/mL was 44.7% (39.5% in men, 50.2% in women). In a final multivariable model, significant positive correlates of serum 25(OH)D were older age, male sex, increased physical activity, sunlight exposure ≥ 30 min/day, eating breakfast regularly, consumption of dairy and fatty fish, and use of vitamin D-containing supplements. In contrast, significant inverse correlates were obesity (body mass index, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2)) or underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2)), abdominal obesity, increased sedentary time, and frequent consumption of instant noodles and sugar-sweetened beverages. In conclusion, many modifiable lifestyle and dietary factors were associated with low serum 25(OH)D levels in Korean young adults. Further studies on potential mechanisms of the correlates and optimal strategies to improve vitamin D status in this vulnerable subpopulation are warranted.

Fish consumption and risk of non–gallstone-related acute pancreatitis: a prospective cohort study

Epidemiologic data on the role of diet in acute pancreatitis are sparse. We examined the association of total fish consumption, as well as of consumption of fatty fish and lean fish separately, with risk of non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis. We used data from 2 prospective cohorts, the Cohort of Swedish Men and the Swedish Mammography Cohort, that included 39,267 men and 32,191 women who were aged 45-84 y at the start of a 13-y follow-up period (1998-2010). Fish consumption was assessed by using a food-frequency questionnaire at baseline, and cases of incident non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis were identified by linkage to the Swedish National Patient Register. HRs were estimated by using Cox proportional hazard models. During a total follow-up of 860,176 person-years, 320 cases (209 cases in men and 111 cases in women) of incident non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis were identified. We observed that total fish consumption ≤2.0-3.0 servings/wk was associated with a significantly decreased risk of the disease (P-nonlinearity = 0.017). In comparison with 0.9 servings/wk, multivariable-adjusted HRs were 0.86 (95% CI: 0.76, 0.96), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.96), and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.65, 1.10) for 1.4, 2.4, and 3.5 servings/wk, respectively. In the analysis of fatty fish and lean fish, we observed that the consumption of each subtype had a similarly shaped association with risk of non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis as that observed for total fish consumption, although neither was significant. Multivariable-adjusted HRs were 0.83 for fatty fish (95% CI: 0.65, 1.04) and 0.87 for lean fish (95% CI: 0.69, 1.11) when 0.6-2.0 servings/wk was compared with ≤0.5 servings/wk. Our data suggest that the consumption of total fish (fatty fish and lean fish combined) may be associated with decreased risk of non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis.

Fish consumption and mortality in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort.

Fish is a source of important nutrients and may play a role in preventing heart diseases and other health outcomes. However, studies of overall mortality and cause-specific mortality related to fish consumption are inconclusive. We examined the rate of overall mortality, as well as mortality from ischaemic heart disease and cancer in relation to the intake of total fish, lean fish, and fatty fish in a large prospective cohort including ten European countries. More than 500,000 men and women completed a dietary questionnaire in 1992–1999 and were followed up for mortality until the end of 2010. 32,587 persons were reported dead since enrolment. Hazard ratios and their 99 % confidence interval were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression models. Fish consumption was examined using quintiles based on reported consumption, using moderate fish consumption (third quintile) as reference, and as continuous variables, using increments of 10 g/day. All analyses were adjusted for possible confounders. No association was seen for fish consumption and overall or cause-specific mortality for both the categorical and the continuous analyses, but there seemed to be a U-shaped trend (p < 0.000) with fatty fish consumption and total mortality and with total fish consumption and cancer mortality (p = 0.046).

Fatty fish consumption and risk of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.

Objective:It has been suggested that intake of fatty fish may protect against both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Hypotheses rest on the high marine omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid+docosahexaenoic acid (EPA+DHA) and vitamin D contents, with possible beneficial effects on immune function and glucose metabolism. Our aim was to investigate, for the first time, fatty fish consumption in relation to the risk of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).Methods:Analyses were based on data from a Swedish case–control study with incident cases of LADA (n=89) and type 2 diabetes (n=462) and randomly selected diabetes-free controls (n=1007). Diabetes classification was based on the onset of age (⩾35), glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies, and C-peptide. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to derive information on previous intake of fish, polyunsaturated long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) and supplementation of fish oil and vitamin D. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression, adjusted for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), family history of diabetes, physical activity, smoking, education, and consumption of alcohol, fruit, vegetables and red meat.Results:Weekly fatty fish consumption (⩾1 vs <1 serving per week), was associated with a reduced risk of LADA but not type 2 diabetes (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.30–0.87, and 1.01, 95% CI 0.74–1.39, respectively). Similar associations were seen for estimated intake of n-3 PUFA (⩾0.3 g per day; LADA: OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.35–1.03, type 2 diabetes: OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.79–1.58) and fish oil supplementation (LADA: OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.19–1.12, type 2 diabetes: OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.08–2.31).Conclusions:Our findings suggest that fatty fish consumption may reduce the risk of LADA, possibly through effects of marine-originated omega-3 fatty acids.

Neonatal vitamin D status and risk of multiple sclerosis.

Low vitamin D status at birth may be associated with risk of adult onset multiple sclerosis, but this link has not been studied directly. We assessed the relation between neonatal vitamin D concentrations, measured in stored blood samples, and risk of multiple sclerosis. This was a population-based case-control study in Sweden including 459 incident cases of multiple sclerosis and 663 controls, randomly drawn from a national population registry and frequency matched on sex, age, and residential area. There was no association between neonatal 25-hydroxyvitamin D quintile and risk of multiple sclerosis (crude odds ratio = 1.0, 95% confidence interval = 0.68-1.44, for the highest quintile compared to the lowest). Adjusting for a number of potential confounding factors in early life (month of birth, latitude of birth, breastfeeding) and in adult life (25-hydroxyvitamin D, sun exposure, vitamin D intake from dairy products, fatty fish consumption, smoking, body mass index at 20 years of age) as well as ancestry, multiple sclerosis heredity, and socioeconomic group did not considerably affect the result. At a broad population level, 25-hydroxyvitamin D at birth was not associated with risk of multiple sclerosis.

Health benefits of plant-derived α-linolenic acid

α-Linolenic acid (ALA) is an n-3 (ω-3) fatty acid found mostly in plant foods such as flaxseed, walnuts, and vegetable oils, including canola and soybean oils. Most of the health benefits observed for n-3 fatty acids have been attributed to the marine-derived long-chain n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid, because of the strength of evidence from both epidemiologic studies and randomized controlled trials. Furthermore, the observed cardioprotective and other health effects of ALA have been credited to its precursor role in converting to EPA in the body. The promotion of fatty fish consumption for its documented health benefits may not be practical for those who are concerned with the unsustainability of marine sources or who avoid eating fish for a variety of reasons. ALA-rich plant sources are more abundant and may serve as a suitable alternate. It is therefore worthwhile to consider the evidence for the health benefits of ALA. The purpose of this review is to present the evidence from recent studies on the association between ALA and cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and fracture risk. The potential mechanisms that explain these associations will also be briefly discussed.

Time trends and congener profiles of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and PBDEs in Baltic herring off the coast of Finland during 1978–2009

In Finland, consumption of Baltic fatty fish may lead to high exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which might have hazardous health effects. Monitoring of POPs in Baltic fish enables the health authorities to keep dietary advice on fish consumption up to date. In this study, which is a compilation of analytical data from earlier studies, time trends and congener profiles of polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Baltic herring are reported. Altogether 344 samples of Baltic herring from 1978–2009 were collected across the Finnish coast of the Baltic Sea. The chemical analysis was performed in an accredited testing laboratory with high resolution gas chromatography mass spectrometry. During the 31-year period, PCDD/F and PCB concentrations decreased on approximately 80%, from approximately 20 to 5pg/gfw, expressed as WHO2005 TEQ. The PBDE concentrations experienced a 4–10 fold increase during late 1980s–early 1990s, and declined to 1978s levels of approximately 2ng/gfw by 2009. The current concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PBDEs in Baltic herring are relatively low, and mostly below EU maximum accepted levels, and are expected to continue decreasing. In the future, it may be possible to re-evaluate the consumption restrictions for this specific Baltic fatty fish.

Development of child‐friendly fish dishes to increase young children’s acceptance and consumption of fish (1019.24)

Although fish and algae are the only dietary sources of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a nutrient critical for brain development, fish is vastly under‐consumed in children. Plant‐based omega‐3 fatty acids can be converted to DHA but the conversion is inefficient. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consumption of seafood twice a week. We examined if substituting salmon for chicken in childcare center lunch meals could increase preschoolers’ fish and DHA consumption. Participants ages 2 ‐ 5 (n=45) were served eight study lunches (four chicken or salmon dishes) once a week over 8 weeks. Analysis of plate‐waste showed no significant differences in energy intake when the foods looked similar, but when the fish dishes looked different, energy intake on “fish days” was lower than on the corresponding “chicken day.” However, DHA intake increased significantly on all “fish days”. These results indicate that fish and DHA intake can be effectively increased if fatty fish, such as salmon, is used as a substitute for already accepted protein sources in the childcare center menu.

Consumption of Lean Fish Reduces the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Population Based Cohort Study of Norwegian Women

BackgroundThe effects of fish consumption and n-3 fatty acids on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have recently been debated.ObjectiveWe explored the risk of T2DM in relation to consumption of lean fish, fatty fish, fish products and total fish as well as cod liver oil supplements in a representative sample of Norwegian women.DesignThis was a prospective population based cohort study in 33740 women free of T2DM, stroke, angina or heart attack and with detailed information on important co-variates and dietary intake at baseline. Risk ratios and corresponding 95% CI were estimated using Poisson regression with log-person time as offset.ResultsLean fish consumption was inversely associated with T2DM compared to zero intake. Risk ratios and 95% CI for intake of 75 and 100 g lean fish per day were 0.71 (0.51, 0.98) and 0.67 (0.46, 0.98), respectively. There was no effect of intake of fatty fish, fish products, total fish or use of cod liver oil supplements on the risk of T2DM.ConclusionLean fish consumption of 75–100 g/d had a beneficial effect on T2DM. It remains unclear whether lean fish in itself has a protective effect on T2DM or that lean fish consumers have a protective life-style that we were not able to take into account in this study. Unfavorable effects of fatty fish consumption or use of cod liver oil supplements on T2DM were not observed.

Le statut en acide eicosapentaénoïque est associé à des valeurs plus élevées de l’indice calcanéen ultrasonorestiffnesschez les femmes autochtones : résultats d’une étude longitudinale et de deux études transversales

Several studies have reported that the status in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and the omega-3/omega-6 PUFA ratio are positively related to bone health. This study aimed at examining the relationship between the status of different PUFAs and bone strength expressed by the stiffness index (SI) among indigenous women in northern Canada and Greenland, whose diets are rich in PUFAs compared to those of non-Aboriginals. Our study includes 118 Inuit women from Nuuk (Greenland), 195 Inuit women from Nunavik (Canada), and 249 Cree women of from East James Bay (Canada). Projects in Nunavik and in the Cree communities had a cross-sectional design and the Greenland project, a longitudinal design. The content of some PUFAs phospholipids of erythrocyte membranes was measured after transmethylation by gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector. Stiffness index was measured by ultrasound at the right calcaneus with a water-bath Achilles Lunar instrument (Greenland) or an Achilles Insight instrument (Nunavik, East James Bay). Relations between SI and various PUFAs were studied using multiple linear regression analyses. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was positively and significantly associated with SI (log), even after adjustment for several confounders and covariates in all three projects. A high EPA status, resulting mainly from the consumption of fatty fish or marine mammal fat, seems to have a positive effect on bone strength measured by ultrasonography among Aboriginal women from three different populations.

Influence of a healthy Nordic diet on serum fatty acid composition and associations with blood lipoproteins – results from the NORDIET study

BackgroundThe fatty acid (FA) composition of serum lipids is related to the quality of dietary fat intake.ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of a healthy Nordic diet (ND) on the FA composition of serum cholesterol esters (CE-FA) and assess the associations between changes in the serum CE-FA composition and blood lipoproteins during a controlled dietary intervention.DesignThe NORDIET trial was a 6-week randomised, controlled, parallel-group dietary intervention study that included 86 adults (53±8 years) with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Serum CE-FA composition was measured using gas chromatography. Diet history interviews were conducted, and daily intake was assessed using checklists.ResultsFood and nutrient intake data indicated that there was a reduction in the intake of fat from dairy and meat products and an increase in the consumption of fatty fish with the ND. The levels of saturated fatty acids in cholesterol esters (CE-SFA) 14:0, 15:0, and 18:0, but not 16:0, showed a significant decrease after intake of ND compared to the control diet (p<0.01). Also, a significant increase in serum 22:6n – 3 was observed compared with the control diet (p<0.01). The changes in CE-SFA 14:0, 15:0, and 18:0 correlated positively with changes in LDL-C, HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, ApoA1, and ApoB (p<0.01), respectively, whereas the changes in polyunsaturated fatty acids in cholesterol esters (CE-PUFA) 22:6n – 3 were negatively correlated with changes in the corresponding serum lipids.ConclusionsThe decreased intake of saturated fat and increased intake of n-3 PUFA in a healthy ND is partly reflected by changes in the serum CE-FA composition, which are associated with an improved serum lipoprotein pattern.

Effect of fatty Amazon fish consumption on lipid metabolism

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding diets enriched with fatty fish from the Amazon basin on lipid metabolism. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control group treated with commercial chow; Mapará group was fed diet enriched with Hypophthalmus edentatus; Matrinxã group was fed diet enriched with Brycon spp.; and, Tambaqui group was fed diet enriched with Colossoma macropomum. Rats with approximately 240g±0.60 of body weight were fed ad libitum for 30 days, and then were sacrificed for collection of whole blood and tissues. RESULTS: The groups treated with enriched diets showed a significant reduction in body mass and lipogenesis in the epididymal and retroperitoneal adipose tissues and carcass when compared with the control group. However, lipogenesis in the liver showed an increase in Matrinxã group compared with the others groups. The levels of serum triglycerides in the treated groups with Amazonian fish were significantly lower than those of the control group. Moreover, total cholesterol concentration only decreased in the group Matrinxã. High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased significantly in the Mapará and Tambaqui compared with control group and Matrinxã group. The insulin and leptin levels increased significantly in all treatment groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that diets enriched with fatty fish from the Amazon basin changed the lipid metabolism by reducing serum triglycerides and increasing high density lipoprotein-cholesterol in rats fed with diets enriched with Mapará, Matrinxã, and Tambaqui.

“Towards an even healthier mediterranean diet”

Dietary guidelines to promote good health are usually based on foods, nutrients, and dietary patterns predictive of chronic disease risk in epidemiologic studies. However, sound nutritional recommendations for cardiovascular prevention should be based on the results of large randomized clinical trials with “hard” end-points as the main outcome. Such evidence has been obtained for the Mediterranean diet from the PREDIMED (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) trial and the Lyon Heart Study. The traditional Mediterranean diet was that found in olive growing areas of Crete, Greece, and Southern Italy in the late 1950s. Their major characteristics include: a) a high consumption of cereals, legumes, nuts, vegetables, and fruits; b) a relatively high-fat consumption, mostly provided by olive oil; c) moderate to high fish consumption; d) poultry and dairy products consumed in moderate to small amounts; e) low consumption of red meats, and meat products; and f) moderate alcohol intake, usually in the form of red wine. However, these protective effects of the traditional Mediterranean diet may be even greater if we upgrade the health effects of this dietary pattern changing the common olive oil used for extra-virgin olive oil, increasing the consumption of nuts, fatty fish and whole grain cereals, reducing sodium intake, and maintaining a moderate consumption of wine with meals.

Maternal dioxin-dietary patterns, prenatal exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like compounds, and birth outcomes in a European Mother-Child Study (NewGeneris)

Background Diet is the main source of exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like compounds for the general population. The diet of pregnant women may affect exposure of the foetus to environmental contaminants and influence foetal growth. Aim We investigated the association between maternal diet and biomarker assessed dioxin levels in maternal and cord blood with birth outcomes in a European prospective mother-child study (NewGeneris). Methods Plasma dioxin-like activity was estimated by the Dioxin-Responsive Chemically Activated LUciferase eXpression (DR-CALUX) bioassay in maternal (n=604) and cord (n=198) blood samples collected at delivery in Denmark, England, Greece, Norway and Spain. We used food frequency questionnaires to assess maternal diet and reduced rank regression to identify two dioxin-dietary patterns related to maternal and cord blood dioxin levels (in DR-CALUX TEQ pg/g lipid), respectively. The dioxin-dietary pattern scores described participants’ adherence to each of the two dietary patterns. Results The dioxin-dietary pattern score was positively correlated with dioxin (DR-CALUX) levels in cord blood (rho=0.35, p&lt;0.001) and was characterised by high maternal consumption of red and white meat, low-fat dairy and fast-food and low consumption of fatty fish and high-fat cheese. Dioxin-dietary pattern score in the upper tertile was associated with a reduction of half week in gestational age (95%CI:-1.0 to 0.0) and a non-significant reduction of 73 grams in birth weight (95%CI:-237 to 90) compared to the lower tertile, after adjustment for confounders. Similar negative adjusted associations with birth outcomes were observed for the dioxin-dietary score that was linked to dioxin (DR-CALUX) levels in maternal blood. Conclusions Maternal diet contributes to the exposure of the foetus to dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. We provide evidence that a dioxin-rich diet may be related to reduced gestational age and birth weight, mediated by high prenatal exposure to dioxin and dioxin-like compounds.

Alternative sources of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in marine microalgae.

The main source of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in human nutrition is currently seafood, especially oily fish. Nonetheless, due to cultural or individual preferences, convenience, geographic location, or awareness of risks associated to fatty fish consumption, the intake of fatty fish is far from supplying the recommended dietary levels. The end result observed in most western countries is not only a low supply of n-3 LC-PUFA, but also an unbalance towards the intake of n-6 fatty acids, resulting mostly from the consumption of vegetable oils. Awareness of the benefits of LC-PUFA in human health has led to the use of fish oils as food supplements. However, there is a need to explore alternatives sources of LC-PUFA, especially those of microbial origin. Microalgae species with potential to accumulate lipids in high amounts and to present elevated levels of n-3 LC-PUFA are known in marine phytoplankton. This review focuses on sources of n-3 LC-PUFA, namely eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, in marine microalgae, as alternatives to fish oils. Based on current literature, examples of marketed products and potentially new species for commercial exploitation are presented.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) decrease the placental syncytiotrophoblast volume and increase Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) in the placenta of normal pregnancy

IntroductionPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of biologically active, highly stable compounds. Exposure risks include consumption of fatty fish, meat, dairy products and human breast milk, as well as environmental and occupational settings. Numerous reports have described PCB-dependent adverse effects on human fetal growth, including increased risk for IUGR, changes in endocrine function and hormone metabolism, and immunosuppressive and neurological deficits. Here we test the prediction that in utero PCB exposure adversely effects placental morphology, potentially leading to placental insufficiency en route to fetal growth restriction. MethodsPCB homologs (10) were measured in the maternal and fetal blood of a small cohort of normotensive pregnancies (22) by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. PCB levels were compared with angiogenesis associated proteins Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) and sFlt-1, determined by ELISA, and the total estimated syncytiotrophoblast (ST) volume. ResultsSignificant associations between PCB exposure and both PlGF and ST volume were identified. DiscussionPCB effects on placenta morphology and predicted function are discussed. ConclusionThese results demonstrate that the human placenta, including ST, is a target of PCB toxicity, and that current environmental PCB exposure levels are a risk to reproductive health.

N‐3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Relationship to Inflammation in Healthy Adults and Adults Exhibiting Features of Metabolic Syndrome

Individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS) have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, therefore, research has been directed at reducing various components that contribute to MetS and associated metabolic impairments, including chronic low-grade inflammation. Epidemiological, human, animal and cell culture studies provide evidence that dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), including alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3, ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA) may improve some of the components associated with MetS. The current review will discuss recent evidence from human observational and intervention studies that focused on the effects of ALA, EPA or DHA on inflammatory markers in healthy adults and those with one or more features of MetS. Observational studies in healthy adults support the recommendation that a diet rich in n-3 fatty acids may play a role in preventing and reducing inflammation, whereas intervention studies in healthy adults have yielded inconsistent results. The majority of intervention studies in adults with features of MetS have reported a benefit for some inflammatory measures; however, other studies using high n-3 fatty acid doses and long supplementation periods have reported no effect. Overall, the data reviewed herein support recommendations for regular fatty fish consumption and point toward health benefits in terms of lowering inflammation in adults with one or more features of MetS.