Dietary Intake Of DHA Research Articles

Joint effect of docosahexaenoic acid intake and tobacco smoke exposure on learning disability in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study from the NHANES database

BackgroundDocosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been reported to be associated with the children’s neurodevelopment, who may be exposed to tobacco smoke simultaneously. The evidence about joint effect of DHA intake and tobacco smoke exposure on children and adolescents’ learning disabilities (LD) was limited. The objective of this study was to assess the joint effect of DHA intake and tobacco smoke exposure on children and adolescents’ LD.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis of the NHANES 1999–2004 was performed. Children and adolescents aged 6–15 years old were included. The outcome was diagnosed by parental report of ever health professionals or school representative-identified LD. Dietary DHA intake data were obtained by food frequency questionnaire and tobacco smoke exposure levels were evaluated by serum cotinine levels. Weighted univariable and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the joint effect of DHA intake and tobacco smoke exposure on LD in children and adolescents, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). This joint association was further assessed after stratification by age, gender, body mass index, the history of attention deficit disorder and seen mental health professional.ResultsWe identified 5,247 children and adolescents in present study, of whom 593 (11.30%) had LD. After adjusting covariates, we observed children and adolescents with DHA intake (OR = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.61–0.96) was related to lower incidence of LD; children who exposure to tobacco smoke was related to higher incidence of LD (OR = 1.54, 95%CI: 1.07–2.23); children and adolescents who exposure to tobacco smoke and without DHA intake were related to highest odds of LD (OR = 2.08, 95%CI: 1.37–3.17, P for trend = 0.042), that was, DHA and tobacco smoke exposure may have a joint effect on the odds of LD in children and adolescents. Subgroup analyses suggested this joint effect was robust especially among children and adolescents with normal & underweight BMI and without the history of attention deficit disorder and seen mental health professional.ConclusionIncreasing the DHA intake and reducing tobacco smoke exposure may have a potential role in the prevention of LD in children and adolescents. This joint effect warrants further investigation by large-scale prospective study.

Association between dietary consumption of fatty acids and age-related macular degeneration in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between dietary intake of fatty acids and the age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the United States population. Adult participants of the 2005–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included in this nationwide cross-sectional study. Dietary fatty acid intake was obtained from two 24-h dietary recall interviews. The intake of dietary fatty acids was analyzed as a continuous and categorical variable. AMD status was assessed using nonmydriatic fundus photographs. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between dietary fatty acid intake and AMD. The unweighted population included 4702 individuals of whom 374 had AMD. After adjusting for relevant variables, each 1 unit increase (1 mg/1000 kcal) intake of EPA (OR: 0.996, 95% CI: 0.993–0.996, P = 0.018), DPA (OR: 0.976, 95% CI: 0.962–0.990, P = 0.002), and DHA (OR: 0.996, 95% CI: 0.994–0.999, P = 0.003) were significantly decreased odds of any AMD. The highest versus lowest quartile of EPA (OR: 0.476, P for trend < 0.001), DPA (OR: 0.467, P for trend = 0.005) and DHA (OR: 0.586, P for trend = 0.008) were negatively associated with the odds of any AMD. Subgroup analysis showed that higher quartiles of EPA (OR: 0.461, P for trend < 0.002), DPA (OR: 0.467, P for trend = 0.006) and DHA (OR: 0.578, P for trend = 0.007) exhibited a negative association with early AMD. The study found no significant association between the intake of dietary fatty acids, including n-3 PUFA, and the odds of late AMD. In the 2005–2008 NHANES population, higher dietary DHA, DPA and EPA intake associated with decreased odds of early AMD. However, no clear association was found between specific types of FAs and late AMD.

DHA Supplementation During Pregnancy Enhances Maternal Vagally Mediated Cardiac Autonomic Control in Humans

DHA is an essential omega-3 (ω-3; n-3) fatty acid that has well-established benefits for the fetus. DHA also has the potential to influence the health of the mother, but this area is understudied. The objective of this secondary analysis was to determine if DHA was related to maternal heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) metrics in a large cohort of pregnant women. In the parent trial (1R01HD086001) eligible participants (≥18 y old, English speaking, carrying a singleton pregnancy, 12-20 wk of gestation) were randomly assigned to consume 200mg/d or 800mg/d DHA for the duration of their pregnancy (n=300). Weight, blood pressure, and magnetocardiograms (MCGs) were collected at 32 wk and 36 wk of gestation (n=221). Measures of HR and HRV in time-, frequency-, and nonlinear-domains were determined from the isolated maternal MCG. Treatment group and timepoint were examined as predictors in association with HR and HRV metrics using random-intercept mixed-effects ANOVA unadjusted and adjusted models accounting for weight and dietary DHA intake. Women receiving the higher dose of DHA (800mg/d) during pregnancy had lower HR, lower sympathetic index, higher vagally mediated HRV indices, and greater HRV complexity when compared with the women who received the lower dose (200mg/d; all P<0.05). All the dose relations remained significant even after controlling for the effect of time, maternal weight, and dietary DHA intake. DHA supplementation increases vagal tone in pregnant women. Longitudinal studies examining the potential link between DHA, enhanced vagal tone, and reported reduction in early preterm birth are warranted.

ω-3 Fatty acids intake level of vegetarians in Shanghai

To assess the ω-3 fatty acids intake level of vegetarians in Shanghai, and compare with the sex and age matched omnivores. The present observational study included 282 vegetarians aged 18 to 60 years old who had been vegetarian for at least one year and 282 sex and age matched omnivores recruited among Shanghai citizens. Daily food consumption was assessed through frequency and average intake of 149 kinds of food by food frequency questionnaire(FFQ) conducted by experienced dietitians. Dietary intake of ALA, EPA and DHA was calculated by R(Software). The differences of ω-3 fatty acids dietary intake between vegetarians and omnivores were analyzed with non-parametric test. The ALA intake of vegetarian group was(1669.00±1340.67)mg/d, which was significantly higher than that of omnivore group((1298.56±1041.96)mg/d). However, the EPA intake of vegetarian group((8.45±12.69)mg/d) was significantly less than the omnivore group((128.63±144.15)mg/d). The DHA intake of vegetarian group((28.75±35.38)mg/d) was also significantly less than the omnivore group((236.88±223.05)mg/d). Most of the dietary intake of EPA and DHA was supplied by seafood. Vegetarians EPA and DHA intake was significantly lower than omnivores.

DHA intake relates to better cerebrovascular and neurodegeneration neuroimaging phenotypes in middle-aged adults at increased genetic risk of Alzheimer disease

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe number of APOE-ε4 alleles is a major nonmodifiable risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer disease (AD). There is increasing evidence on the benefits of dietary DHA (22:6n–3) before the onset of AD symptoms, particularly in APOE-ε4 carriers. Brain alterations in the preclinical stage can be detected by structural MRI.ObjectivesWe aimed, in middle-aged cognitively unimpaired individuals at increased risk of AD, to cross-sectionally investigate whether dietary DHA intake relates to cognitive performance and to MRI-based markers of cerebral small vessel disease and AD-related neurodegeneration, exploring the effect modification by APOE-ε4 status.MethodsIn 340 participants of the ALFA (ALzheimer and FAmilies) study, which is enriched for APOE-ε4 carriership (n = 122, noncarriers; n = 157, 1 allele; n = 61, 2 alleles), we assessed self-reported DHA intake through an FFQ. We measured cognitive performance by administering episodic memory and executive function tests. We performed high-resolution structural MRI to assess cerebral small vessel disease [white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs)] and AD-related brain atrophy (cortical thickness in an AD signature). We constructed regression models adjusted for potential confounders, exploring the interaction DHA × APOE-ε4.ResultsWe observed no significant associations between DHA and cognitive performance or WMH burden. We observed a nonsignificant inverse association between DHA and prevalence of lobar CMBs (OR: 0.446; 95% CI: 0.195, 1.018; P = 0.055). DHA was found to be significantly related to greater cortical thickness in the AD signature in homozygotes but not in nonhomozygotes (P-interaction = 0.045). The association strengthened when analyzing homozygotes and nonhomozygotes matched for risk factors.ConclusionsIn cognitively unimpaired APOE-ε4 homozygotes, dietary DHA intake related to structural patterns that may result in greater resilience to AD pathology. This is consistent with the current hypothesis that those subjects at highest risk would obtain the largest benefits from DHA supplementation in the preclinical stage.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01835717.

Association between dietary intake and serum biomarkers of long-chain PUFA in Japanese preschool children.

Recent research supports the importance of PUFA intake in children, particularly of EPA and DHA; however, few verified methods to assess whether PUFA intake is adequate are available. We assessed the correlation between serum PUFA and lipid concentrations with seafood and PUFA intake measured using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire for Japanese preschool children (BDHQ3y). Single centre birth cohort in Japan. A total of 152 36-month-old Japanese children. Average dietary intake of daily seafood, EPA and DHA was 13·83(sd 10·36) g, 49·4(sd 43·5) mg and 98·3(sd 64·6) mg, respectively. Significant weak-to-moderate correlations were observed between dietary intake and serum EPA (Spearman rho = 0·41, P < 0·001; Pearson r = 0·44, P < 0·001); DHA (Spearman rho = 0·40, P < 0·001; Pearson r = 0·42, P < 0·001) and AA (arachidonic acid) (Spearman rho = 0·33, P < 0·001; Pearson r = 0·32, P < 0·001), whereas no significant correlation was observed for dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) (Spearman rho = 0·06, P = 0·484; Pearson r = 0·07, P = 0·387). Correlations between seafood intake and serum EPA and DHA were also moderate (0·39-0·43). A negative correlation between serum TAGs and serum EPA, as well as positive correlations between serum cholesterol (total cholesterol, LDL and HDL) with serum EPA and DHA were observed, whereas no significant correlations between seafood intake and serum lipid profiles. Based on this model, we estimated 61-98 g/week of seafood intake is required to meet current EPA/DHA intake recommendations by the WHO (100-150 mg/d). For children of 2-4 years of age, weekly intake of 61-98 g of seafood is required to meet WHO recommendations of EPA/DHA intake.

Biomarkers of Docosahexaenoic Acid but Not Arachidonic Acid Reflect Dietary Intakes in Toddlers at Ages 1 and 2 Years Who Are Not Meeting Dietary Recommendations

Background:Long-chain n–6 and n–3 PUFAs are important for growth and development. However, little is known about requirements and current dietary intakes of these fatty acids in toddlers. Objectives:This study assessed dietary intakes of n–6 and n–3 PUFAs and determined the relation to circulating PUFAs in toddlers at ages 1 and 2 y. Methods:This is a secondary analysis of data from toddlers enrolled in a double-blind randomized controlled trial of arachidonic acid (ARA) and DHA supplementation between ages 1 and 2 y. Dietary intakes of fatty acids were estimated by 3-d food records, and fatty acid composition in plasma total phospholipids, red blood cell phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylcholine (PC) were assessed by GC at baseline in all subjects (n = 110; mean age 1.12 y; 64% male) and in the control subjects at 2 y (n = 43). Methods:The dietary intakes of ARA, EPA, and DHA at age 1 y (baseline) were [mean (median)] 36.8 (30.0), 16.0 (0.00), and 31.1 (10.0) mg/d, respectively. Dietary intakes increased to 52.7 (45.0), 35.8 (0.00), and 64.8 (20.0) mg/d, respectively, at age 2 y (P < 0.05). The predominant dietary source of EPA and DHA was fish/seafood; eggs were an important source of ARA and DHA. Dietary DHA intakes were positively associated with plasma PE and PC DHA (P < 0.05). No relations between dietary ARA intakes and plasma PE and PC ARA (P > 0.05) were observed. Conclusions:These findings suggest that most toddlers are not meeting the recommendation for dietary PUFA intakes and that higher dietary DHA intakes are reflected in plasma PE and PC DHA composition. Further work is required to investigate a biomarker for dietary ARA intake. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01263912.

Diurnal rhythm of plasma EPA and DHA in healthy adults

Knowledge of the diurnal variation in circulating omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) may be an important consideration for the development of dosing protocols designed to optimise tissue delivery of these fatty acids. The objective of the current study was to examine the variation in plasma concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) over a 24-h period in healthy adults under eating and sleeping conditions generally approximate to a free-living environment. Twenty-one healthy participants aged 25–44 years took part in a single laboratory visit encompassing an overnight stay. EPA and DHA were measured in plasma samples collected every two hours from 22:00 until 22:00 the following day, with all meals being provided at conventional times. Cosinor analysis was used to estimate the diurnal variation in each fatty acid from pooled data across all participants. A significant diurnal variation in the pooled plasma concentrations of both fatty acids was detected. However, evidence of distinct rhythmicity was strongest for DHA. The timing of the peak concentration of DHA was 17:43 with a corresponding nadir at 05:43. In comparison, the observed acrophase for EPA was delayed by three hours, occurring at 20:41, with a nadir at 08:41. This is the first time that the diurnal variation in these important bioactive fatty acids has been described in a sample of healthy adults following a normal pattern of eating and sleeping. In the absence of any dietary intake of EPA and DHA, circulating levels of these fatty acids fall during the overnight period and reach their lowest point in the morning. Consumption of n-3 PUFAs at night time, which counteracts this pattern, may have functional significance.

Docosahexaenoic and Arachidonic Acid Supplementation of Toddlers Born Preterm Does Not Affect Short-Term Growth or Adiposity

Dietary DHA intake among US toddlers is low. Healthy physical growth is an important objective for the clinical care of children born preterm. The aim of the trial was to examine the effects of supplementing toddlers born preterm with DHA and arachidonic acid (AA) for 180 d on growth and adiposity. Omega Tots, a randomized placebo-controlled trial, was conducted between April 2012 and March 2017. Children born at <35 wk gestation who were 10-16 mo in corrected age were assigned to receive daily oral supplements of DHA and AA (200 mg each, "DHA+AA") or corn oil (placebo) for 180 d. Prespecified secondary outcomes included weight, length, head circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, BMI, and their respective z scores, and body fat percentage, which were measured at baseline and trial completion. Mixed-effects regression was used to compare the change in outcomes between the DHA+AA and placebo groups, controlling for baseline values. Among 377 children included in the analysis (median corrected age=15.7 mo, 48.3% female), 348 (92.3%) had growth or adiposity data at baseline and trial end. No statistically significant differences between the DHA+AA and placebo groups in growth or adiposity outcomes were observed. For instance, the change in weight-for-age z scores was 0.1 for the DHA+AA group and 0.0 for the placebo group (effect size=0.01, P=0.99). However, post-hoc subgroup analyses revealed a statistically significant interaction between treatment group and sex, suggesting somewhat slower linear growth for females assigned to the DHA+AA group compared with the placebo group. Among toddlers born preterm, daily supplementation with DHA+AA for 180 d resulted in no short-term differences in growth or adiposity compared with placebo. If DHA supplementation is implemented after the first year of life, it can be expected to have no effect on short-term growth or adiposity. This trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02199808.

Dietary intake of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in Korean toddlers 12-24 months of age with comparison to the dietary recommendations.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESAdequate dietary fatty acid intake is important for toddlers between 12–24 months of age, as this is a period of dietary transition in conjunction with rapid growth and development; however, actual fatty acid intake during this period seldom has been explored. This study was conducted to assess the intake status of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids by toddlers during the 12–24-month period using 2010–2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.SUBJECTS/METHODSTwenty-four-hour dietary recall data of 12–24-month-old toddlers (n = 544) was used to estimate the intakes of α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), linoleic acid (LA; 18:2n-6), and arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4n-6), as well as the major dietary sources of each. The results were compared with the expected intake for exclusively breastfed infants in the first 6 months of life and available dietary recommendations.RESULTSMean daily intakes of ALA, EPA, DHA, LA, and AA were 529.9, 22.4, 37.0, 3907.6, and 20.0 mg/day, respectively. Dietary intakes of these fatty acids fell below the expected intake for 0–5-month-old exclusively breastfed infants. In particular, DHA and AA intakes were 4 to 5 times lower. The dietary assessment indicated that the mean intake of essential fatty acids ALA and LA was below the European and the FAO/WHO dietary recommendations, particularly for DHA, which was approximately 30% and 14–16% lower, respectively. The key sources of the essential fatty acids, DHA, and AA were soy (28.2%), fish (97.3%), and animals (53.7%), respectively.CONCLUSIONSConsidering the prevailing view of DHA and AA requirements on early brain development, there remains considerable room for improvement in their intakes in the diets of Korean toddlers. Further studies are warranted to explore how increasing dietary intakes of DHA and AA could benefit brain development during infancy and early childhood.

The effect of camelina sativa oil and fish intakes on fatty acid compositions of blood lipid fractions

Background and aimsBlood lipid fractions serve as objective biomarkers of dietary fat intake. It is unclear which fatty acid pool most accurately reflects the dietary intakes of different n-3 PUFAs. We aimed to investigate the effect of fish and camelina sativa oil (CSO) intakes on fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membranes (EM), plasma phospholipids (PL), cholesteryl esters (CE) and triglycerides (TG). We also aimed to identify the most appropriate blood lipid fraction for assessing n-3 PUFA intake. Methods and resultsAltogether 79 volunteers with impaired glucose metabolism were randomly assigned either to CSO, fatty fish, lean fish or control groups for 12 weeks. Fatty acid compositions of lipid pools were measured by gas chromatography. The proportion of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) increased in all lipid pools in the CSO group (false discovery rate (FDR) p < 0.001 for all). Similarly, the proportions of EPA and DHA increased in all lipid fractions in the fatty fish group (FDR p < 0.001 for EM, PL and CE; FDR p = 0.005 for TG; FDR p < 0.001 for EM, PL, CE; FDR p < 0.007 for TG, respectively). Changes in the dietary intakes of ALA, EPA and DHA correlated with the changes in their proportions in all lipid pools (r = 0.3–0.5, p < 0.05). ConclusionThere is no difference in the ability of blood lipid fractions in reflecting the dietary intake of different n-3 PUFAs over a time period of 12 weeks in subjects with high baseline omega-3 index.This trial was registered in Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01768429)

Breast milk fatty acid composition and fatty acid intake of lactating mothers in South Korea.

The aim of this study was to determine the fatty acid (FA) composition of breast milk, and its association with mothers' FA intake. Milk samples were obtained from 238 healthy lactating women who volunteered to participate in the Human Milk Micronutrients Analysis Research. Dietary intake during lactation was assessed using a 3-d food record, and fat content and FA composition of the breast milk samples were analysed by IR spectrometry using MilkoScan FT2 and GC flame ionisation detector, respectively. The fat content was 3·31 (sd 1·41) g/100 ml breast milk. The concentrations of arachidonic acid (20 : 4 n-6), EPA (20 : 5 n-3) and DHA (22 : 6 n-3) in breast milk were 0·48 (sd 0·13), 0·15 (sd 0·12) and 0·67 (sd 0·47) % of total FA, respectively. Fat content and FA composition of breast milk were associated with maternal age, BMI, supplement use and infant age. Dietary intakes of EPA, DHA, n-3 FA, n-6 FA, SFA and PUFA were positively correlated with the corresponding FA in the milk samples. FA levels in breast milk and maternal diet are highly correlated. Further studies are warranted to explore factors that may be associated with changes in FA composition in human milk.

Serum n‐3 Tetracosapentaenoic Acid and Tetracosahexaenoic Acid Increase Following Higher Dietary α‐Linolenic Acid but not Docosahexaenoic Acid

n-3 Tetracosapentaenoic acid (24:5n-3, TPAn-3) and tetracosahexaenoic acid (24:6n-3, THA) are believed to be important intermediates to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) synthesis. The purpose of this study is to report for the first time serum concentrations of TPAn-3 and THA and their response to changing dietary α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3, ALA) and DHA. The responses will then be used in an attempt to predict the location of these fatty acids in relation to DHA in the biosynthetic pathway. Male Long Evans rats (n=6 per group) were fed either a low (0.1% of total fatty acids), medium (3%) or high (10%) ALA diet with no added DHA, or a low (0%), medium (0.2%) or high (2%) DHA diet with a background of 2% ALA for 8weeks post-weaning. Serum n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations (nmol/mL±SEM) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Serum THA increases from low (0.3±0.1) to medium (5.8±0.7) but not from medium to high (4.6±0.9) dietary ALA, while serum TPAn-3 increases with increasing dietary ALA from 0.09±0.04 to 0.70±0.09 to 1.23±0.14nmol/mL. Following DHA feeding, neither TPAn-3 or THA change across all dietary DHA intake levels. Serum TPAn-3 demonstrates a similar response to dietary DHA. In conclusion, this is the first study to demonstrate that increases in dietary ALA but not DHA increase serum TPAn-3 and THA in rats, suggesting that both fatty acids are precursors to DHA in the biosynthetic pathway.

Fish/Seafood Consumption, Dietary Intake of EPA and DHA, and Omega-3 Index among Deployed U.S. Military Personnel

Fish/Seafood Consumption, Dietary Intake of EPA and DHA, and Omega-3 Index among Deployed U.S. Military Personnel

Validation of a Brief Dietary Assessment Tool for Estimating Dietary EPA and DHA Intake in Australian Adults at Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Background: Short food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are powerful screening instruments for estimating nutrient intakes and play an important role in risk stratification in vulnerable populations. Omega-3 fatty acids are of increasing importance in the prevention of chronic and degenerative disease, especially in older adults who are at higher risk of these chronic conditions. A short FFQ exists to rapidly assess omega-3 intake from marine sources, however it has not previously been validated for agreement with total omega-3 intake and ability to identify suboptimal omega-3 intakes in older adults or for use in Australia.Objective: The aim of the study was to validate a 9-item marine omega-3 FFQ (MFQ) for assessment of omega-3 intake against a validated 74-item semiquantitative FFQ.Methods: One hundred and eight participants (mean age 67 ± 10 years, 47% male) completed the MFQ designed to estimate omega-3 intake from marine sources and the 74-item FFQ designed to estimate usual omega-3 and total energy intake in addition to other nutrients. To test agreement between the two questionnaires for estimating total omega-3 intake, mean bias and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) were calculated. Sensitivity and specificity were assessed using 2 × 2 contingency tables based on whether participants did or did not meet National Heart Foundation (NHF) recommendations for omega-3 intake per day.Results: Mean intake of omega-3 estimated from the MFQ was 210 ± 235 mg/day compared with 295 ± 260 mg/day as estimated by the FFQ. Mean bias (95% LOA) for omega-3 assessed by the two questionnaires was 89 mg/day (−475 mg to 653 mg). The MFQ achieved 98% sensitivity and 31% specificity for the omega-3 cut-off of 500 mg/day. When nutrient composition of the marine products were replaced with Australian data, mean intake of omega-3 was 230 ± 253 mg and the mean bias improved to 64 mg (−681 mg to 553 mg) and achieved 93% sensitivity and 40% specificity.Conclusions: The MFQ shows promise as a rapid screening tool for identifying older adults with intakes of omega-3 fatty acids likely to be below recommendations for chronic and degenerative disease risk reduction. Given the clinically meaningful mean bias and wide LOA, it cannot be recommended as an appropriate tool for the purpose of reporting average intake of individuals. Use of Australian nutrient data improved the mean bias of the tool in estimating total omega-3 intake. The values should be replaced and the MFQ could then be a useful tool for research purposes at the population level.

The capacity for long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis in a carnivorous vertebrate: Functional characterisation and nutritional regulation of a Fads2 fatty acyl desaturase with Δ4 activity and an Elovl5 elongase in striped snakehead (Channa striata)

The endogenous production of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in carnivorous teleost species inhabiting freshwater environments is poorly understood. Although a predatory lifestyle could potentially supply sufficient LC-PUFA to satisfy the requirements of these species, the nutrient-poor characteristics of the freshwater food web could impede this advantage. In this study, we report the cloning and functional characterisation of an elongase enzyme in the LC-PUFA biosynthesis pathway from striped snakehead (Channa striata), which is a strict freshwater piscivore that shows high deposition of LC-PUFA in its flesh. We also functionally characterised a previously isolated fatty acyl desaturase cDNA from this species. Results showed that the striped snakehead desaturase is capable of Δ4 and Δ5 desaturation activities, while the elongase showed the characteristics of Elovl5 elongases. Collectively, these findings reveal that striped snakehead exhibits the genetic resources to synthesise docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3). Both genes are expressed at considerable levels in the brain and the liver. In liver, both genes were up-regulated by dietary C18 PUFA, although this increase did not correspond to a significant rise in the deposition of muscle LC-PUFA. Brain tissue of fish fed with plant oil diets showed higher expression of fads2 gene compared to fish fed with fish oil-based diet, which could ensure DHA levels remain constant under limited dietary DHA intake. This suggests the importance of DHA production from EPA via the ∆4 desaturation step in order to maintain an optimal reserve of DHA in the neuronal tissues of carnivores.

Requirements of phytochemical food composition databases: Comparing current use in food industry and biomedical research

Requirements of phytochemical food composition databases: Comparing current use in food industry and biomedical research

The omega smart baby project: effect of maternal DHA on infant development (269.1)

A randomized placebo controlled trial was conducted to examine the effect of DHA on gestational length and cognitive development. 115 pregnant women were supplemented with 300 mg DHA/d or placebo during pregnancy and thru the first 3 mo of breastfeeding (BF). Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) were administered at 4 mo and 1y. Dietary DHA intake during pregnancy, was 81.9 +/‐ 5.8 mg/day (95% CI 72.3,91.5) and increased only slightly during BF. Some took prenatal vitamins with 0– 300 mg DHA per day resulting in total DHA intakes of 80 to 1100 mg/day. RBC and plasma phospholipid DHA at entry (expressed as % total fatty acids) were5.94 +/‐ 1.52 and 5.04 +/‐ 1.44 (mean +/‐ SD), respectively. Breastmilk (BM) % total DHA was .53 +/‐ .037 (mean +/‐ sem) at 2 mo and decreased to .35 +/‐ /039 at 4 mo. BM DHA was significantly greater in the DHA treatment ( p&lt;.02) and with the highest DHA intake compared to the lowest. BM DHA was lowest in carriers of the minor allele of the delta‐5 desaturase gene. Data were analyzed by treatment and by DHA intake. DHA supplementation resulted in a 1 wk increase in gestation with a significant (p&lt;.03) 8 d increase in gestational length comparing the highest intake of DHA( &gt; 600 mg/d) to the lowest (&lt; 300 mg/d). BSID cognitive and language scores were 10 points higher with high intake of DHA compared to the lowest (p&lt;.02). Maternal DHA impacts both pregnancy outcome and subsequent development.

DHA suppressesPrevotella intermedialipopolysaccharide-induced production of proinflammatory mediators in murine macrophages

Several reports have indicated that dietary intake of DHA is associated with lower prevalence of periodontitis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of DHA on the production of proinflammatory mediators in murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from Prevotella intermedia, a pathogen implicated in inflammatory periodontal disease, and its mechanisms of action. LPS was isolated from lyophilised P. intermedia ATCC 25,611 cells using the standard hot-phenol-water protocol. Culture supernatants were collected and assayed for NO, IL-1β and IL-6. Real-time PCR analysis was carried out to detect the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, IL-6 and haeme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA. Immunoblot analysis was carried out to quantify the expression of iNOS and HO-1 protein and concentrations of signalling proteins. DNA-binding activities of NF-κB subunits were determined using an ELISA-based assay kit. DHA significantly attenuated the production of NO, IL-1β and IL-6 at both gene transcription and translation levels in P. intermedia LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. DHA induced the expression of HO-1 in cells treated with P. intermedia LPS. Selective inhibition of HO-1 activity by tin protoporphyrin IX significantly mitigated the inhibitory effects of DHA on LPS-induced NO production. DHA significantly attenuated the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase induced by LPS. In addition, DHA suppressed the transcriptional activity of NF-κB by regulating the nuclear translocation and DNA-binding activity of NF-κB p50 subunit and inhibited the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1. Further in vivo studies are needed to better evaluate the potential of DHA in humans as a therapeutic agent to treat periodontal disease.

The Relationship between Omega-3 HUFA Score and Dietary Intake of EPA and DHA among U.S. Soldiers

The Relationship between Omega-3 HUFA Score and Dietary Intake of EPA and DHA among U.S. Soldiers