Dietary Fatty Acid Pattern Research Articles

Dietary fatty acid pattern and its association with metabolic profile among overweight and obese adults

BackgroundNumerous studies have revealed the role of dietary fatty acids in human health. However, few studies have evaluated dietary fatty acid patterns and their association with metabolic parameters. The current study aimed to explore the association between dietary fatty acid patterns and risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS) among overweight and obese adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 340 participants who were overweight or obese. The study included assessments of body composition and anthropometric measurements. Dietary fatty acid consumption was evaluated using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) containing 168 items. Additionally, biochemical parameters, including serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting serum glucose (FSG), and insulin levels, were measured using enzymatic methods. Fatty acid patterns were determined by principal component analysis (PCA), and the association between these dietary FA patterns and risk factors related to MetS components was assessed using logistic regression.ResultsFactor analysis conducted in this study explored three dietary fatty acid patterns: saturated fatty acids (SFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and long-chain combined fatty acids (LC-CFA). Those at the highest tertile of the SFA pattern had lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P = 0.03). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) was lower in the second and third tertiles (P ≤ 0.05). Also, higher fasting blood glucose (FBS) was observed in the second and third tertiles (P < 0.05), and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was higher in the third tertile (P = 0.049). In the PUFA pattern, FBS was lower in the third tertile (P = 0.03). In the LC-CFA pattern, lower TC was achieved in higher tertiles (P = 0.04).ConclusionOur findings demonstrated that consuming high and moderate SFA patterns is associated with higher FBS and HOMA-IR. Also, increased consumption of SCFAs is related to lower DPB and LDL. Individuals who consumed more PUFA, especially linoleic acid, had lower FBS. These outcomes might be beneficial in managing MetS and leading to a new field of research.

Effects of dietary PUFA patterns and FADS genotype on breast milk PUFAs in Chinese lactating mothers

BackgroundBreastfeeding affects the growth and development of infants, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a crucial role in this process. To explore the factors influencing the PUFA concentration in breast milk, we conducted research on two aspects: dietary fatty acid patterns and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in maternal fatty acid desaturase genes.MethodsThree hundred seventy Chinese Han lactating mothers were recruited. A dietary semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to investigate the dietary intake of lactating mothers from 22 to 25 days postpartum for 1 year. Meanwhile, breast milk samples were collected from the participants and tested for the concentrations of 8 PUFAs and 10 SNP genotypes. We sought to determine the effect of dietary PUFA patterns and SNPs on breast milk PUFAs. We used SPSS 24.0 statistical software for data analysis. Statistical tests were all bilateral tests, with P < 0.05 as statistically significant.ResultsUnder the same dietary background, PUFA contents in breast milk expressed by most major allele homozygote mothers tended to be higher than that expressed by their counterparts who carried minor allele genes. Moreover, under the same gene background, PUFA contents in breast milk expressed by the mother’s intake of essential PUFA pattern tended to be higher than that expressed by their counterparts who took the other two kinds of dietary.ConclusionsOur study suggests that different genotypes and dietary PUFA patterns affect PUFA levels in breast milk. We recommend that lactating mothers consume enough essential fatty acids to ensure that their infants ingest sufficient PUFAs.

Dietary fatty acid patterns and risk of metabolic syndrome: Tehran lipid and glucose study

BackgroundThe association between individual dietary fatty acids (FAs) and risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been investigated in previous studies. However, synergistic or additive effects of multiple FA have received less attention. Hence, we aimed to determine the major dietary FA patterns and evaluate the association between FA patterns and risk of MetS.MethodsDietary intakes of 1713 MetS-free adults who participated in the third phase of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) were assessed using a validated 168-items food frequency questionnaire. FA patterns were obtained by principal component analysis (PCA). Adjusted Hazard Ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the association of MetS incident with the extracted FA patterns.ResultsFour major FA patterns were identified through PCA of the 24 FAs consumed: “short- and medium-chain saturated fatty acid (SFA) pattern”, “long-chain FA pattern”, “omega-3 PUFA pattern”, and “long-chain SFA pattern”. There was no significant association between dietary FA patterns and risk of MetS incidence.ConclusionsWe found no significant association between FA patterns and risk of MetS. More prospective cohort studies and clinical trials are needed to clarify the issue.

Association between dietary fatty acid patterns and obesity indices in Jordanian adults: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe ratios of fatty acids in different diets and their connection to chronic diseases including obesity and CVD have been researched. The current study set out to detect the dietary fatty acid patterns among Jordanian adults and their relationships with obesity indices. MethodsThe data of 1096 adults were extracted from a household food consumption patterns survey study. Food intake was analyzed, and fatty acid patterns were determined. After anthropometric measurements, obesity indices were calculated. ResultsTwo fatty acid patterns were determined (High fatty acids from Protein and Olive Oil sources pattern, and the low Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) pattern), explaining an overall variance of 41.78% and 24.31%, respectively. A significant difference in obesity scores through fatty acids pattern quartiles was only seen among female participants. Q4 of the “High fatty acids from Protein and Olive Oil sources” pattern had a significantly higher means of body mass index (25.12 ± 0.46; p = 0.015), waist-to-height-ratio (0.51 ± 0.01; p = 0.002), weight-adjusted waist index (10.13 ± 0.09; p = 0.021) and body roundness index (3.61 ± 0.15; p = 0.007) compared to Q1, while Q4 of “Low EPA and DHA” pattern had significantly higher means of waist circumference (WC) (86.28 ± 1.34) and a body shape index (ABSI) (10.12 ± 0.30) in comparison to Q1 (WC = 81.55 ± 1.08 and ABSI = 9.07 ± 0.22; p = 0.025, 0.013; respectively). In females, there was a significant association between the “High fatty acids from Protein and Olive Oil sources” pattern and all the obesity indices. ConclusionOur results suggest that an increase in the high fatty acids from Protein and Olive Oil sources pattern is associated with a reduction in obesity indices, which is opposite to the low EPA and DHA pattern. This was a sex-specific association.

Associations between dietary fatty acid patterns and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in typical dietary population: A UK biobank study.

Dietary fatty acid composition is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Few evidence had identified a clear role of dietary fatty acid composition of typical diet in NAFLD. We aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and NAFLD in populations with typical diets and to explore the effect of fatty acid composition in dietary patterns on NAFLD. Principal component analysis was used to identify 4 dietary patterns in UK Biobank participants. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between dietary patterns and NAFLD. Mediation analysis was performed to evaluate the extent to which the relationship between dietary patterns and NAFLD was explained by dietary fatty acid combinations, as surrogated by serum fatty acids measured by nuclear magnetic resonance. A dietary fatty acid pattern (DFP1) characterized by "PUFA enriched vegetarian" was negatively associated with NAFLD risk. Serum fatty acids were significantly associated with DFP1 and NAFLD. Mediation analysis showed SFA (27.8%, p < 0.001), PUFA (25.1%, p < 0.001), ω-6 PUFA (14.3%, p < 0.001), LA (15.6%, p < 0.001) and DHA (10%, p < 0.001) had a significant indirect effect on the association between DFP1 and NAFLD. A dietary pattern characterized by "PUFA enriched carnivore" (DFP2) was not associated with NAFLD risk. A "PUFA enriched vegetarian" dietary pattern with increased LA and DHA, may be beneficial for the treatment or prevention of NAFLD, while a "PUFA enriched carnivore" dietary pattern may not be harmful to NAFLD.

The role of dietary patterns and erythrocyte membrane fatty acid patterns on mild cognitive impairment

Dietary fatty acids have been shown to be associated with the development of cognition. However, research on the role of fatty acid intake in dietary patterns and fatty acid patterns (FAPs) in the development of cognitive function is limited. The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between dietary patterns and FAPs and to provide available evidence for preventing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) through these patterns. The 973 participants aged between 65 and 85 were recruited from 2020 to 2021 for this multicenter research in Beijing. Neuropsychological tests were used for cognitive evaluation, and data of dietary intake in the past 12 months were collected with semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The erythrocyte membrane fatty acid profile was tested by chromatography and mass spectrometry lipid profiling. Factor analysis was used to derive the main dietary patterns and FAPs. Pearson's correlation or Spearman's correlation was used to explore the association between dietary patterns and FAPs. Binary logistic regression was applied to examine the relationship between patterns and cognitive function. Six dietary patterns and six FAPs were identified, explaining 53.4 and 80.9% of the total variance separately. After adjusting all potential confounders, T3 of the pattern 1 and FAP2 were the independent protect factors for MCI, respectively (OR 0.601, 95% CI [0.395, 0.914]; OR 0.108, 95% CI [0.019, 0.623]). Rich of SM (26:0), SM (24:1), and SM (26:1) is the characteristic of FAP2. A positive correlation was found between component scores of dietary pattern1 and FAP2 (r = 0.441, p = 0.001). People who adhered to a reasonable intake of animal flesh consumed more various long-chain fatty acids as well. The erythrocyte membrane metabolites, SM (26:0), SM (24:1), and SM (26:1), might function as early biomarkers for predicting or monitoring of cognitive aging in the elderly. The dietary pattern with recommended animal flesh consumption was significantly associated with FAP characterized by very long-chain SMs. This dietary pattern affected FAP, which might achieve the ultimate goal of neuroprotection through the very long-chain SMs. A rational intake of dietary fatty acids might be an effective way on preventing MCI in the elderly.

Association between Dietary Fatty Acid Patterns and Colorectal Cancer Risk: A Large-Scale Case-Control Study in China.

Associations of dietary fatty acids with the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain controversial. The objective of this study was to examine whether dietary-derived fatty acid patterns were related to CRC risk among Chinese people. A total of 2806 CRC patients and 2806 frequency-matched controls were interviewed in this case-control study between July 2010 and May 2021. A food frequency questionnaire was used to gather information on dietary intake. Four fatty acid patterns were identified using factor analysis. The even-long-chain fatty acid pattern had no statistically significant association with CRC risk (adjusted Odds ratio (aOR), 1.16; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.97–1.39; ptrend = 0.129). However, significant inverse associations were found between the medium-chain and long-chain saturated fatty acid (SFA) pattern (aOR, 0.34; 95%CI, 0.27–0.42), the highly unsaturated fatty acid pattern (aOR, 0.73; 95%CI, 0.60–0.88), the odd-chain fatty acid pattern (aOR, 0.69; 95%CI, 0.57–0.83), and CRC risk. The interaction between fatty acid patterns and sex was observed, and the association between the highly unsaturated fatty acid pattern and CRC risk differed by subsite. In conclusion, increasing the intakes of foods rich in medium-chain SFAs, highly unsaturated fatty acids, and odd-chain fatty acids may be related to a lower risk of CRC.

Association Between Dietary Fatty Acid Pattern and Risk of Oral Cancer.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between dietary fatty acid (FA) patterns and the risk of oral cancer.MethodA case-control study which included 446 patients with oral cancer and 448 controls subjects was conducted in Southeast China. A structured food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the dietary FA consumption before cancer diagnosis. FA patterns were identified using the principal component analysis, and the relationship between the dietary FA patterns and oral cancer was analyzed by logistic regression.ResultsGeneral differences in FA intake were observed between the patient and control groups. The intakes of saturated FAs (SFAs) C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, and monounsaturated FA C18:1 were higher in the patient group than the control group (p < 0.001). Four FA patterns were derived by principal component analysis. The “SFA” pattern, “Polyunsaturated FA” pattern, “Monounsaturated FA” pattern, and “Medium- and long-chain FA” pattern, which could explain 75.7% of the variance of the dietary FA intake, were submitted to logistic regression analysis. A positive association was observed between the “SFA” pattern and oral cancer risk. Compared with the lowest quartile score, the OR of the highest quartile score was 3.71 (95%CI: 2.31, 5.94, Ptrend < 0.001) in the multivariate logistic regression model. No significant association was found among the other three patterns and oral cancer risk.ConclusionsGeneral differences in dietary FA intake were observed between patients with oral cancer and controls. A positive association between the “SFA” pattern and risk of oral cancer was observed after adjusting for potential confounders.

Dietary fatty acid patterns and risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BackgroundTo characterize and examine the associations between dietary fatty acid intake patterns and the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).MethodsA total of 422 patients and 423 controls were recruited. Dietary fatty acids were entered into a factor analysis. Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline were used to evaluate the risk of ESCC specific for different dietary fatty acid patterns (FAPs). A forest plot was applied to show the association between FAPs and ESCC risk after stratification by lifestyle exposure factors (tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, pickled food, fried food, hot food, hard food).ResultsThe factor analysis generated four major fatty acid patterns: a medium- and long-chain SFA (MLC-SFA) pattern; an even-chain unsaturated fatty acid (EC-UFA) pattern, a saturated fatty acid (SFA) pattern and an n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LC-PUFA) pattern. In the multivariate-adjusted model, the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of ESCC were 2.07 (1.31, 3.26) and 0.53 (0.34, 0.81) for the highest versus the lowest tertiles of the EC-UFA pattern and n-3 LC-PUFA pattern, respectively. The MLC-SFA and SFA patterns were not associated with ESCC. An association between FAPs and ESCC risk after stratification by lifestyle exposure factors was also observed.ConclusionsOur study indicates that the EC-UFA pattern and n-3 LC-PUFA pattern intake are associated with ESCC, providing a potential dietary intervention for ESCC prevention.

Associations between dietary fatty acid patterns and cognitive function in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Our objective was to quantify the cross-sectional associations between dietary fatty acid (DFA) patterns and cognitive function among Hispanic/Latino adults. This study included data from 8,942 participants of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, a population-based cohort study (weighted age 56.2 y and proportion female 55.2%). The NCI (National Cancer Institute) method was used to estimate dietary intake from two 24-hr recalls. We derived DFA patterns using principal components analysis with 26 fatty acid and total plant and animal monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) input variables. Global cognitive function was calculated as the average z-score of 4 neurocognitive tests. Survey linear regression models included multiple potential confounders such as age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, physical activity, energy intake, and cardiovascular disease. DFA patterns were characterized by consumption of long-chain saturated fatty acids (SFA), animal-based MUFA, and trans fatty acids (Factor 1); short to medium-chain SFA (Factor 2); very-long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (Factor 3); very-long-chain SFA and plant-based MUFA and PUFA (Factor 4). Factor 2 was associated with greater scores for global cognitive function (β=0.037 ± 0.012) and the Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS) (β=0.56±0.17), Brief Spanish English Verbal Learning-Sum (B-SEVLT) (β=0.23 ± 0.11), and B-SEVLT-Recall (β=0.11 ± 0.05) tests (P<0.05 for all). Factors 1 (β=0.04 ± 0.01) and 4 (β=0.70 ± 0.18) were associated with the DSS test (P<0.05 for all). Consumption of short to medium-chain SFA may be associated with higher cognitive function among U.S.-residing Hispanic/Latino adults. Prospective studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Association between dietary fatty acid patterns based on principal component analysis and fatty acid compositions of serum and breast milk in lactating mothers in Nanjing, China

This study aimed to comprehensively analyze dietary fatty acids (FAs) to evaluate their association with FA compositions of maternal serum and breast milk and assess their effects on mothers and infants. Overall, 121 healthy lactating Chinese mothers at 30-50 days of postpartum were enrolled and instructed to complete a Food Frequency Questionnaire, together with venous blood and breast milk sample collections. Dietary FA patterns were derived by principal component analysis with varimax rotation. Serum and breast milk FA compositions were detected using capillary gas chromatography and presented as relative concentrations (weight percentage of total FAs, %). Daily energy intake, absolute intake of most nutrients, and percentage of energy intake provided by these nutrients significantly varied among the different dietary FA patterns. There were significant differences in serum polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels (P = 0.011); in monounsaturated fatty acid and PUFA proportions in breast milk with respect to four patterns (P = 0.002 and P = 0.026, respectively); and in n-6 PUFA, n-3 PUFA, linoleic acid, γ-linolenic acid, α-linolenic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid levels in breast milk (P = 0.027, P = 0.007, P = 0.048, P = 0.034, P = 0.020, and P = 0.002, respectively). Furthermore, maternal weight retention and length-for-age z scores, weight-for-age z scores and head circumference-for-age z scores of infants with respect to the four patterns exhibited significant differences (P = 0.038, P = 0.030, P = 0.034, and P<0.001, respectively). The results demonstrated the effect of dietary FA patterns on FA compositions of serum and breast milk, and patterns mainly characterized by LC-PUFA may have potentially beneficial effects on maternal postpartum recovery and infant growth.

Effect of Dietary Fatty Acid Pattern on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Fatty Acid Profile, and Serum Biochemistry Parameters in Broiler Chickens

Effect of Dietary Fatty Acid Pattern on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Fatty Acid Profile, and Serum Biochemistry Parameters in Broiler Chickens

Dietary patterns, dietary biomarkers, and kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes: a repeated-measure study in Taiwan.

Western dietary patterns have been linked with kidney disease. This study investigated the association between Chinese dietary patterns and kidney disease in a Taiwanese population with type 2 diabetes and evaluated dietary fatty acid patterns, a kidney-related dietary biomarker. We recruited 838 patients with type 2 diabetes and used their dietary and renal data obtained from three repeated measures in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Diet was assessed using food-frequency questionnaires, and factor analysis was performed to identify dietary patterns. Albuminuria was defined by having an albumin-to-creatinine ratio >=30 mg/g and kidney dysfunction by estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2. Generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate ORs (95% CIs) of kidney disease adjusted for covariates. Erythrocyte fatty acids were only measured in blood samples collected in 2008. Three dietary patterns were identified: high fat-meat, traditional Chinese food-snack, and fish-vegetable. In the adjusted model, the high fat-meat and traditional Chinese food-snack diets were not associated with any kidney outcomes. The fishvegetable diet was inversely associated with kidney dysfunction (quartile 4 vs 1, OR: 0.75, 0.58-0.97), but not associated with albuminuria. A higher fish-vegetable diet factor score was associated with higher n-3 fatty acid levels. In patients with diabetes, we found greater adherence to a fish-vegetable diet to be associated with better kidney function and greater n-3 fatty acid profiles. The inclusion of repeated dietary assessments and dietary biomarker measurements in future diet-disease research, especially in patient populations, may provide more definitive risk evaluation.

Dietary n-3 PUFA May Attenuate Experimental Colitis.

Background Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) occurred in genetically predisposed people exposed to environmental triggers. Diet has long been suspected to contribute to the development of IBD. Supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) protects against intestinal inflammation in rodent models while clinical trials showed no benefits. We hypothesized that intervention timing is crucial and dietary fatty acid pattern may influence intestinal environment to modify inflammation genesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary effect of PUFA composition on intestinal inflammation. Methods Animals received diet varying in their PUFA composition for four weeks before TNBS-induced colitis. Colon inflammatory markers and gut barrier function parameters were assessed. Inflammatory pathway PCR arrays were determined. Results n-3 diet significantly decreased colon iNOS, COX-2 expression, IL-6 production, and LTB4 production but tended to decrease colon TNFα production (P = 0.0617) compared to control diet. Tight junction protein (claudin-1, occludin) expressions and MUC2 and TFF3 mRNA levels were not different among groups. n-9 diet also decreased colon IL-6 production (P < 0.05). Conclusions Dietary n-3 PUFA influence colitis development by attenuating inflammatory markers. Further research is required to better define dietary advice with a scientific rationale.

Low dietary n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio prevents induced oral carcinoma in a hamster pouch model

Dietary fatty acid patterns have been linked to the prevalence of certain cancers, however in oral carcinoma is limited. Thus, we investigated the chemopreventive effects of various dietary n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in a 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benz[a]-anthracene (DMBA)- and betel quid extract (BQE) -induced hamster oral cancer model. Thirty 6-week-old adult male hamsters were housed and divided into normal, low, and high dietary n-6 and n-3 fatty acid groups under DMBA + BQE treatment for 16 weeks. The right buccal pouch of all hamsters were evaluated by tumor number, volume, burden and selected inflammatory parameters. The results indicate that the low dietary n-6/n-3 fatty acid group exhibited a significantly lower tumor number, volume, and burden than those of the other groups. Furthermore, this group had significantly lower nuclear factor-κB, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and cyclin D1 expression in the right buccal pouch tissue. In conclusion, the lower dietary n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio exerted chemopreventive effects in the DMBA- and BQE-induced hamster oral cancer model.

Has a mixture of amino acids and micronutrients influence on glucose metabolism and dietary fatty acid pattern in chronic psychosocially stressed persons? A pilot study

Brain food, e.g. L-tryptophan, antioxidative substances, B vitamins and magnesium are thought to be beneficial for obesity, inflammation and insulin resistance. In the present pilot study we hypothesised that a specific amino acid mixture with micronutrients improves the cardiometabolic situation of chronically stressed persons. Cardiovascular and metabolic parameters were analysed as per protocol in 32 patients. Chronic stress disorders in the same patients were assessed by a psychological neurological questionnaire (PNF). After dietary intervention a reduction of the fasting serum insulin concentrations occurred in the treatment group. An association was found between PNF values, insulin concentrations at baseline and an insulin reduction after 12 weeks. The results support the use of our specific dietary supplement for improved stress management and a decrease in metabolic dysfunction.

Unexpected similarity in RBC DHA and AA levels between bottlenose dolphins and humans

BackgroundThe Omega-3 Index [red blood cell (RBC) content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)+docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] is inversely related to risk of cardiovascular disease in humans. In the U.S., the average Omega-3 Index is about 4–6% of RBC fatty acids, whereas in Japan it is 9–10%. The range of physiologically-possible levels for the Omega-3 Index in other mammals is unknown. ObjectiveTo compare the RBC fatty acid composition of a common piscivorous mammal, the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), with that of (U.S.) humans, and to examine the extent to which dietary fatty acid patterns were reflected in RBCs. MethodsRBCs were isolated from routine blood samples collected from 35 healthy dolphins at two display facilities and were analyzed by gas chromatography. For humans, historic, deidentified RBC fatty acid data from our laboratory were used (n=11,329; mean age 58). ResultsThe mean Omega-3 Index of the dolphins was 19.9% compared with 6.0% for humans. EPA levels were 15.3% vs 1.2%, respectively, but DHA levels were virtually identical (4.6% vs 4.8%). Linoleic acid (LNA) levels were much lower in dolphins vs humans (0.5% vs 12.5%) whereas arachidonic acid (ARA) levels were similar (12.3% vs 14.5%). In a subgroup of humans with an Omega-3 Index in the >99.2 percentile, the mean index was similar to that of the dolphins. Based on an analysis of their food, the dolphins consumed about 60g of EPA+DHA per day as compared to about 0.1g in humans. ConclusionDolphins have an Omega-3 Index that is (only) 3–4× higher than that of U.S. adults despite their intake of EPA+DHA being about 165× higher (as a percent of kcal). RBC, EPA and LNA levels are relatively more reflective of dietary intakes than are DHA and ARA levels. The mechanisms by which certain fatty acid levels appear to be fixed and others may vary in RBC membranes are unknown.

Plant Oils Were Associated with Low Prevalence of Impaired Glucose Metabolism in Japanese Workers

Fatty acid has been suggested to be involved in development of diabetes. However, its association is unclear among Japanese populations, which consume large amounts of fish rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The present cross-sectional study examined the association of individual dietary fatty acids and dietary fatty acid patterns with abnormal glucose metabolism among 1065 Japanese employees, aged 18–69 years. Impaired glucose metabolism is defined if a person has a history of diabetes, current use of anti-diabetic drug, fasting plasma glucose of 110 mg/dl (≥6.1 mmol/L) or greater, or hemoglobin A1C of 6.0% (≥42 mmol/mol) or greater. Dietary intake was assessed with a self-administered diet history questionnaire. Dietary fatty acid patterns were extracted by principal component analysis. Odds ratios of impaired glucose metabolism according to tertile categories of each fatty acids and dietary fatty acid patterns were estimated using logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounding variables. A higher intake of polyunsaturated fatty acid, n-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, and oleic acid were significantly associated with a decreased prevalence of impaired glucose metabolism (P for trend = 0.03, 0.01, 0.02, and 0.04, respectively). Alpha-linolenic acid was marginally significantly associated with a decreased prevalence of impaired glucose metabolism (P for trend = 0.12). Of three fatty acid patterns identified, a higher plant oil pattern score, which characterized by high intake of alpha-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and oleic acid, was associated with a decreased prevalence of impaired glucose metabolism (P for trend = 0.03). No association was observed for other patterns. In conclusion, plant source fatty acids might be protectively associated with development of diabetes in Japanese adults.

Dietary fatty acids modulate liver mitochondrial cardiolipin content and its fatty acid composition in rats with non alcoholic fatty liver disease

No data are reported on changes in mitochondrial membrane phospholipids in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We determined the content of mitochondrial membrane phospholipids from rats with non alcoholic liver steatosis, with a particular attention for cardiolipin (CL) content and its fatty acid composition, and their relation with the activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes. Different dietary fatty acid patterns leading to steatosis were explored. With high-fat diet, moderate macrosteatosis was observed and the liver mitochondrial phospholipid class distribution and CL fatty acids composition were modified. Indeed, both CL content and its C18:2n-6 content were increased with liver steatosis. Moreover, mitochondrial ATP synthase activity was positively correlated to the total CL content in liver phospholipid and to CL C18:2n-6 content while other complexes activity were negatively correlated to total CL content and/or CL C18:2n-6 content of liver mitochondria. The lard-rich diet increased liver CL synthase gene expression while the fish oil-rich diet increased the (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids content in CL. Thus, the diet may be a significant determinant of both the phospholipid class content and the fatty acid composition of liver mitochondrial membrane, and the activities of some of the respiratory chain complex enzymes may be influenced by dietary lipid amount in particular via modification of the CL content and fatty acid composition in phospholipid.

Adherence to an (n-3) Fatty Acid/Fish Intake Pattern Is Inversely Associated with Metabolic Syndrome among Puerto Rican Adults in the Greater Boston Area1–3

Combinations of fatty acids may affect risk of metabolic syndrome. Puerto Ricans have a disproportionate number of chronic conditions compared with other Hispanic groups. We aimed to characterize fatty acid intake patterns of Puerto Rican adults aged 45–75 y and living in the Greater Boston area (n = 1207) and to examine associations between these patterns and metabolic syndrome. Dietary fatty acids, as a percentage of total fat, were entered into principle components analysis. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to examine associations between fatty acid intake patterns, nutrients, and food groups. Associations with metabolic syndrome were analyzed by using logistic regression and general linear models with quintiles of principal component scores. Four principal components (factors) emerged: factor 1, short- and medium-chain SFA/dairy; factor 2, (n-3) fatty acid/fish; factor 3, very long-chain (VLC) SFA and PUFA/oils; and factor 4, monounsaturated fatty acid/trans fat. The SFA/dairy factor was inversely associated with fasting serum glucose concentrations (P = 0.02) and the VLC SFA/oils factor was negatively related to waist circumference (P = 0.008). However, these associations were no longer significant after additional adjustment for BMI. The (n-3) fatty acid/fish factor was associated with a lower likelihood of metabolic syndrome (Q5 vs. Q1: odds ratio: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.86). In summary, principal components analysis of fatty acid intakes revealed 4 dietary fatty acid patterns in this population. Identifying optimal combinations of fatty acids may be beneficial for understanding relationships with health outcomes given their diverse effects on metabolism.