Distribution Of Docosahexaenoic Acid Research Articles

Raman Spectroscopic Imaging of Cholesterol and Docosahexaenoic Acid Distribution in the Retinal Rod Outer Segment

Raman vibrational spectroscopic imaging was performed on retinal rod cells isolated from bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana). The Raman spectra enable determination of the lipid and protein rich rod outer segment (ROS) from the nucleus and inner segment of the cell. Peak fitting analysis of spectra obtained from individual rod photoreceptor cells show characteristic vibrational modes that can be associated with cholesterol and docosahexaenoic acid containing lipids. These results provide direct observations of biomolecular gradients in the rod photoreceptor cells, which, thus far, have been based on indirect detergent extracts and histochemical analysis with indicators such as filipin. The detected biomolecules are associated with regulation of the integral membrane protein rhodopsin, and methods capable direct observation of these biomolecules offer new routes to exploring their role in the regulation of cellular processes.

Lipid Characterization of Mangrove Thraustochytrid − Schizochytrium mangrovei

Lipid class composition and distribution of fatty acids within the lipid pool of microalga, Schizochytrium mangrovei FB3 harvested at the late exponential phase, was studied, with special emphasis on the distribution of docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3, DHA). Neutral lipids were the major lipid constituents (95.90% of total lipids) in which triacylglyerol (TAG) was the predominant component and accounted for 97.20% of the neutral lipids. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) was the major polar lipid. Phosphatic acid and phosphatidylserine were the two classes in phospholipids reported for the first time in thraustochytrids. Both TAG and PC were primarily saturated and consisted of C16:0 at approximately 50% of total fatty acids. DHA was found to be distributed in all lipid classes and to be the major polyunsaturated fatty acid. TAG contained the highest amount of DHA, although the percentage of DHA in total fatty acids in TAG (29.74%) was lower than that in PC (39.61%). The result from this study would be useful for further optimization of DHA production by S. mangrovei.

Effect of Molecular Forms on Distribution of Docosahexaenoic Acid into Organs in Mice.

To assess the effect of the molecular form on absorption, transport and distribution to organs, mice were fed 4 molecular forms of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), such as DHA-triglyceride, DHA-phospholipid, DHA-ethylester, and DHA-free fatty acid orally for four weeks. Serum, liver, and brain lipids were analyzed. The fatty acid compositions of the serum and liver reflected the diet fatty acid compositions. After one-week feeding, the fatty acid composition had changed drastically. The DHA-phospholipid diet produced less arachidonic acid (AA) concentration in the serum and liver compared to the other three DHA diets. DHA-phospholipid was effective in the expulsion of AA from the serum and liver. The fatty acid composition of the brain did not change drastically. The control diet containing corn oil and safflower oil did not decrease the DHA concentration. The DHA concentration kept constant even with a non-DHA diet feed. All DHA diets resulted in increase in DHA concentration while the AA concentration decreased, significantly.

The n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids in pregnant women and their infants. relationship with maternal linoleic acid intake.

The availability of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids during infancy has been related to neonatal growth and development. Fatty acid concentration at birth is an important predictor of postnatal level. The primary aim of this study was to provide a description of the distribution of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the plasma phospholipid fraction of pregnant women remaining on a Western-style diet and their neonates. The plasma phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acid composition was determined by gas-liquid chromatography in 889 mother-infant pairs. Blood samples were taken during the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy, at delivery, and from the umbilical vein at birth. Mean (+/- SD) fatty acid concentrations are reported in mg/l and as percentage of total fatty acids (% wt/wt). In addition, the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles are given. The distribution of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) and arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) concentrations in umbilical plasma phospholipids is also reported as a function of gestational age and maternal linoleic acid intake during pregnancy. This data can be be used as a reference for future studies and may aid in identifying term infants with a relatively low long-chain polyene status at birth.

Natural and accelerated docosahexaenoic acid accumulation in the prenatal rat brain.

The quantity and distribution of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in major brain phospholipids (PL) was examined in the fetal rat brain before birth, using thin-layer and capillary column gas chromatography. A rapid increment of DHA content of about 187 micrograms/g brain/day was observed between 17 to 20 days gestation, as opposed to 39.3 +/- 2.9 micrograms/g brain/day prior to that. Single intraamniotic injections of 5 microL ethyl-docosahexaenoate (Et-DHA) (12 microM, 4.25 mg) administered to 17-day-old fetuses were used to examine the uptake of DHA into brain PL. Three days following injection, the amount of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids increased by 28% compared to ethyl-oleate (Et-Ole) injected fetuses. Compared to the n-6 fatty acid family, the relative amount of DHA increased in the phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine (PC) lipids by 15 (P = 0.02), 13 and 14%, respectively. A major increase in the pool size of phosphatidylinositol and PS (110 and 50.3%, respectively), and a decrease in PC (8.2%) were observed 3 d after Et-DHA as compared to Et-Ole administration. The data suggest that a single intraamniotic administration of Et-DHA can modulate membrane PL content and alter PUFA composition.