Effect Of Fish Oil Supplementation Research Articles

Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids improves learning performance of diabetic rats by regulating the neuron excitability

Previous research has demonstrated that diabetes induced learning and memory deficits. However, the mechanism of memory impairment induced by diabetes is poorly understood. Dietary fatty acids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), have been shown to enhance learning and memory and prevent memory deficits in various experimental conditions. Sprague–Dawley rats were used in the present study to investigate the effect of fish oil supplementation on spatial learning and memory of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats with the Morris Water Maze. The excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons and the related ionic currents was also examined. Diabetes impaired spatial learning and memory of rats. Diabetes decreased the sodium currents and increased the potassium currents, and further led to the reduction of excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons, effects which may contribute to the behavioral deficits. Fish oil dietary supplementation decreased the transient currents and Kv4.2 expression in the hippocampus and partially improved learning performance of diabetic rats. The results of the present study suggested that sodium and potassium currents contributed to the inhibitory effect of diabetes on neuron excitability, further influencing learning and memory processing. Dietary fish oil may modulate the membrane excitability and is a possible strategy for preventing the impairments of diabetes on hippocampal function.

Effects of dietary fish oil on learning function and apoptosis of hippocampal pyramidal neurons in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Previous research has demonstrated that diabetes induces learning and memory deficits. However, the mechanism of memory impairment induced by diabetes is poorly understood. Dietary fatty acids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids, have been shown to enhance learning and memory and prevent memory deficits in various experimental conditions. The present study investigated the effects of fish oil supplementation on the neuron apoptosis in the hippocampus of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes rats. The effects of diabetes and fish oil treatment on the spatial learning and memory were also evaluated using the Morris Water Maze. Diabetes impaired spatial learning and memory of rats. Diabetes increased the expression of Bax and caspase-3, which led the apoptosis of the CA1 pyramidal neurons, and further contributed to the deficits in learning and memory processing. Fish oil dietary supplementation in diabetic rats conducts neuron-protective function through an anti-apoptotic pathway and significantly improves the ability of learning and memory. These results partially explain the mechanism of the effect of diabetes and fish oil treatment on learning and memory, supporting a potential role for fish oil as an adjuvant therapy for the prevention and treatment of diabetic complications.

Effect of fish oil supplementation on bone turnover markers in women on aromatase inhibitors: a pilot study

Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are adjunctive therapies for estrogen‐receptor positive breast cancer (BC); however, they exacerbate bone loss. We tested the effects of a non‐pharmacological treatment, fish oil, on bone measures in 37 postmenopausal BC survivors on AI. In addition to calcium (1,000 mg/d) and cholecalciferol (800 IU/d), women were randomly assigned to 4 g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/d via fish oil or placebo (safflower oil) capsules. Bone mineral density was low in 41% of women; none were osteoporotic. Average age was 61.8±9.7 and BMI 28.0±5.8. There were no between group differences in dietary intake of calories, protein, calcium, vitamin D, n‐3 or n‐6 fatty acids, or other nutrients. Resorption and formation markers (serum C‐terminal telopeptide [sCTX] and procollagen type 1 N‐terminal propeptide [P1NP], respectively) were measured at baseline and 3 months. Baseline sCTX and P1NP were similar between groups. sCTX was reduced by −7.8±20.8% and P1NP by −10.2±16.5% in the EPA+DHA group. The reductions in turnover markers in the EPA+DHA group were not statistically different compared to changes in placebo (sCTX 0.4±20.4; P1NP −3.3±15.9). In this high risk group, nutritional supplementation was not enough to overcome the effects of AI on bone turnover. Project supported by the CT Breast Health Initiative and University of Connecticut Health Center Clinical Research Center.

The Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Markers of Inflammation in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

One prevalent characteristic of all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines. Fish oil (FO) supplementation has been reported to lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines. The benefits of FO for an extensive range of populations and a variety of health concerns are apparent, yet the anti-inflammatory benefits for nondialysis CKD patients are not as well documented. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the daily consumption of FO (1,400 mg eicosapentaenoic acid + 1,000 mg docosahexaenoic acid) on interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) for 8weeks in nondialysis CKD patients. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention, the effect of 8weeks of FO administration on IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in nondialysis CKD patients were evaluated. Thirty-one nondialysis CKD patients (17 = FO; 14 = placebo) randomly received either FO dietary supplementation 2.4 g/day (1,400 mg eicosapentaenoic acid + 1,000 mg docosahexaenoic acid) or placebo (safflower oil) for 8 weeks. IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were all measured as markers of inflammation. One-way analysis of variance revealed no significant differences in IL-6 (P = .06), IL-1β (P = .18), and TNF-α (P = .20) between groups in pretest values. Additionally, no pretest differences existed between groups for age (P = .549), weight (P = .324), waist circumference (P = .086), gender (P = .591), and ethnicity (P = .875). Covariance was calculated using compliance, age, gender, ethnicity, body weight, and waist circumference as covariates. No significant differences were discovered between groups after FO supplementation for IL-6 (P = .453) and TNF-α (P = .242). A significant difference was discovered for IL-1β (P = .050) with lower levels in the FO group. The results of this study are in agreement with some previous studies that suggest that FO supplementation has no effect on plasma proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α or IL-6, but does have an effect on IL-1β in nondialysis CKD patients.

TCT-716 First Simultaneous Assessment of the Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Lipid and Thrombogenicity Profiles

TCT-716 First Simultaneous Assessment of the Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Lipid and Thrombogenicity Profiles

The Protective and Recovery Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Cedar Pollen-Induced Allergic Reactions in Mice

Obesity is associated with the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and therefore can lead to worsening of allergic reactions. Thus, there is cross-talk between obesity and allergic reactions. In this study, we investigated whether the anti-obesity action of fish oil supplementation is involved in the anti-allergic action also induced by fish oil. We observed attenuation of cedar pollen-induced IgE serum increases in two experimental protocols: 15% fish oil supplementation for 8 weeks, which attenuated body weight increases compared with 15% soybean supplementation, and 4% fish oil supplementation for 2 weeks, which did not affect body weight increases compared with 4% soybean or 4% lard supplementation. The former but not the latter protocol attenuated sneezing after pollen challenge. Gene expression of TNF-α and IL-13, a Th2 cytokine, was moderately reduced in the trachea and nasal mucosa in mice fed fish oil supple- ments. In a third protocol, fish oil was administered for up to 15 weeks after a cedar pollen sensitization and challenge-induced increase in IgE levels. These levels decreased following fish oil supplementation but were almost unaffected by soybean oil supplementation. Surprisingly, the IL-13 gene expression level in the nasal mucosa and trachea was higher in the fish oil group than in the soybean oil group. These results suggest that fish oil supplementation before, during, or after antigen sensitization and challenge in mice helped to reduce cedar pollen-induced allergic reactions in- dependent of its anti-obesity action. Fish oil supplementation can also exhibit pro- or anti-inflammatory action against IL-13 expression depending on the experimental protocol.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and cognition in a college-aged population.

The cognitive influences of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) remain unclear throughout the life span. Dietary n-3 PUFA appear cognitively beneficial prenatally and neuroprotective at later age; however, researchers using supplementation designs have reported disparate findings across age groups. Few studies have examined the cognitive impact of n-3 PUFA during young adulthood. This study assessed the cognitive effects of fish oil supplementation at college age, hypothesizing benefits on affect, executive control, inhibition, and verbal learning and memory. College-aged participants were assigned to active (n = 20, 5 men; age = 19.9, sage = 1.8) or placebo (n = 21, 7 men; age = 20.4, sage = 1.6) treatments, receiving fish oil (480 mg DHA/720 mg EPA) or coconut oil, respectively. Both groups completed four weeks of supplementation. At baseline and posttreatment, the researchers administered the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT; Lezak, 1995), Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT; Golden & Freshwater, 2002), Trail Making Test (TMT; Corrigan & Hinkeldey, 1987; Gaudino, Geisler, & Squires, 1995; Lezak, 1995), and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS; Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988). Repeated-measures ANOVAs indicated no benefits of fish oil on the SCWT, RAVLT Stages 1 to 5, or PANAS. An interaction occurred between condition and time of measurement (i.e., baseline and posttreatment) on RAVLT Stages 6 and 7, and placebo significantly improved TMT performance over fish oil. The benefits of n-3 PUFA on RAVLT performance derived more from depreciated placebo performance than improved performance due to fish oil. The placebo gain on TMT performance likely derived from a learning effect. Together, these results present limited cognitive benefits of n-3 PUFA at college age; however, the treatment may have been subtherapeutic, with a larger sample needed to generalize these results.

Effect of fish oil supplementation on serum triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and LDL subfractions in hypertriglyceridemic adults

Background and aimsThe well-established triglyceride (TG) lowering effect of fish oil is accompanied by an increase in LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration. Less is known about the differential impact on LDL particle distribution – the smaller particles being associated with a greater risk for atherosclerosis. We aimed to examine the changes in serum concentrations of four subclasses of LDL particles as well as shifts in LDL phenotype patterns (A, B, AB) among hypertriglyceridemic adults. Methods and resultsThis was a secondary analysis from a double-blind, parallel design, placebo controlled trial with 42 adults that experienced significant TG lowering and modest increases in total LDL-C concentrations after 12 weeks of 4 g/d EPA + DHA. Reduction in serum TG concentrations (mean ± SEM) was −26 ± 4% (−0.81 ± 10.12 mmol/L), p < 0.0001. Total LDL-C concentration increased by 13 ± 3% (+0.31 ± 0.08 mmol/L), p < 0.0001. The 12-week changes in concentrations of LDL1, LDL2, LDL3 and LDL4 were +0.06 ± 0.02 mmol/L [+2.2 ± 0.7 mg/dL], +0.07 ± 0.03 mmol/L [+2.6 ± 1.0 mg/dL], +0.16 ± 0.05 mmol/L [+6.3 ± 1.8 mg/dL], and +0.04 ± 0.04 mmol/L [+1.4 ± 1.7 mg/dL], respectively (+20 ± 5%, +64 ± 13%, +26 ± 6%, and +17 ± 9%), p < 0.05 for all but LDL4. Changes in LDL phenotype patterns A, B and A/B were negligible and not statistically significant. ConclusionIn this population of hypertriglyceridemic adults, dietary supplementation with fish oil resulted in an increase in total LDL-C concentration which was distributed relatively evenly across the range of smaller and more atherogenic as well as larger and less atherogenic LDL particles.

Molecular Fingerprints of the Human Fecal Microbiota From 9 to 18 Months Old and the Effect of Fish Oil Supplementation

The aim of this study was to monitor changes in the fecal microbiota from 9 to 18 months and to investigate the effect of increasing dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the fecal microbiota. In a double-blind controlled trial with random allocation to daily supplementation with 5 mL of fish oil (FO) or sunflower oil (SO) from 9 to 18 months of age, stool samples were collected from 132 healthy Danish infants. Molecular fingerprints of the bacterial DNA were obtained by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP). The T-RFLP profiles indicated that a few T-RFs became dominant with age (bp100 and 102, both presumed to be Bacteroidetes) concomitantly with an overall increase in the microbial diversity (P = 0.04). Breast-feeding influenced both the T-RFLP profiles at 9 months and the changes from 9 to 18 months, and breast-feeding cessation during the trial modified the response to the dietary oils. In the FO group, the increase in bp102 was significantly reduced among children weaned before compared with those weaned during the trial (P = 0.027), whereas the increase in bp100 was reduced in the preweaned children of the SO group relative to those weaned during the trial (P = 0.004). This was supported by intervention group differences in the changes in bp102 and bp100 among the earlier weaned children (P = 0.06 and P = 0.09, respectively). Cessation of breast-feeding played a dominant role relative to developmental changes in the fecal microbiota from 9 to 18 months. FO compared with SO supplementation affected changes in large bacterial groups, but only among children who had stopped breast-feeding before 9 months of age.

Fish oil supplementation improved liver phospholipids fatty acid composition and parameters of oxidative stress in male wistar rats

In the present study, we examined the effects of fish oil supplementation in 3 months old male Wistar rats on changes in plasma and liver lipid metabolism and oxidative stress parameters. Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups of ten animals: control group and intervention group, treated for 6 weeks with fish oil capsules containing 45 mg eicosapentanoic acid and 30 mg docosahexanoic acid. After intervention, biochemical parameters in plasma [triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and total cholesterol, urea, creatinine and uric acid], fatty acid (FAs) profile of liver phospholipids and parameters of oxidative stress in liver [activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase and paraoxonase (PON1), concentration of nitrites, lipid peroxidation (LPO), free thiol (SH) groups and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) izoenzymes were determined. Treatment with fish oil improved FAs profile of liver phospholipids, increasing n-3 FAs and decreasing n-6/n-3 ratio. Significant decrease in plasma TG and LDL concentration, and increase in the level of HDL and uric acid were found in intervention group at the end of the study. Catalase activity, LPO, and nitrites concentration in liver were significantly decreased, after the supplementation, together with elevated PON1 activity. Applied treatment significantly improved plasma lipid profile, liver FAs composition and parameters of oxidative stress in male Wistar rats.

Fish Oil Supplementation During Late Pregnancy Does Not Influence Plasma Lipids or Lipoprotein Levels in Young Adult Offspring

Nutritional influences on cardiovascular disease operate throughout life. Studies in both experimental animals and humans have suggested that changes in the peri- and early post-natal nutrition can affect the development of the various components of the metabolic syndrome in adult life. This has lead to the hypothesis that n-3 fatty acid supplementation in pregnancy may have a beneficial effect on lipid profile in the offspring. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of supplementation with n-3 fatty acids during the third trimester of pregnancy on lipids and lipoproteins in the 19-year-old offspring. The study was based on the follow-up of a randomized controlled trial from 1990 where 533 pregnant women were randomized to fish oil (n = 266), olive oil (n = 136) or no oil (n = 131). In 2009, the offspring were invited to a physical examination including blood sampling. A total of 243 of the offspring participated. Lipid values did not differ between the fish oil and olive oil groups. The relative adjusted difference (95% confidence intervals) in lipid concentrations was −3% (−11; 7) for LDL cholesterol, 3% (−3; 10) for HDL cholesterol, −1% (−6; 5) for total cholesterol,−4% (−16; 10) for TAG concentrations, 2%(−2; 7) for apolipoprotein A1, −1% (−9; 7) for apolipoprotein B and 3% (−7; 15) in relative abundance of small dense LDL. In conclusion, there was no effect of fish oil supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy on offspring plasma lipids and lipoproteins in adolescence.

Effect of Dietary Fish Oil on Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery

An open-label study reported that ingestion of a fish oil concentrate decreased the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. However, a general cardiac surgery population involves valve and CABG surgeries. We undertook a double-blinded randomized controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of fish oil supplementation on the incidence of postsurgical AF after CABG and valve procedures. The primary end point was incidence of AF in the first 6 days after surgery. Two hundred patients were randomized to receive fish oil (providing 4.6 g/day of long-chain ω-3 fatty acids) or a control oil starting 3 weeks before surgery; 194 subjects completed the study, with 47 of 97 subjects in the control group and 36 of 97 subjects in the fish oil group developing AF (odds ratio 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.35 to 1.11). There was a nonstatistically significant delay in time to onset of AF in the fish oil group (hazard ratio 0.66, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.01). There was a significant decrease in mean length of stay in the intensive care unit in the fish oil group (ratio of means 0.71, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.90). In conclusion, in a mixed cardiac surgery population, supplementation with dietary fish oil did not result in a significant decrease in the incidence of postsurgical AF. However, there was a significant decrease in time spent in the intensive care unit.

Effect of fish oil supplementation in pregnancy on the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte phospholipids and breast milk lipids

To investigate the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation on the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte phospholipids and breast milk lipids, pregnant Brazilian women in the 30th week of gestation were randomized to supplement their usual diet with 2 g/day of fish oil (FO group) or primrose oil (PO group, control) capsules for 15 days. Erythrocyte phospholipids from FO group had proportionally higher docosahexaenoicacid and eicosapentaenoic acid levels and furthermore, the ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA was significantly lower in the breast milk lipids compared with the control group. Assessment of plasma anti-oxLDL autoantibodies and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance concentration demonstrated that both groups had the same levels and they were unaltered by supplementations.

Effect of the supplementation of fish oil on the conjugated linoleic acid production, especially accumulation of trans-11 C18:1 and trans-10 C18:1 fatty acids: An in vitro rumen fermentation study

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of fish oil supplementation on production of CLA species, and accumulation of trans-11 C18:1 and trans-10 C18:1 in the rumen. Ruminal fluid was collected from goats, diluted in acidic incubation buffer, and then incubated with a mixture of dry grass and concentrate supplemented with soybean oil and different amounts of fish oil (0, 50, and 100mg for the control, LFO, and HFO groups, respectively). Incubation was carried out anaerobically at 39°C for 24h, and fatty acid composition was analyzed by chromatography at different time points. Although it showed initial inhibitory effects at earlier time points, fish oil significantly increased cis-9, trans-11 CLA content at 24h. At the same time, it inhibited trans-10, cis-12 CLA content dose-dependently with significant effect at 16 and 24h. Fish oil also increased trans-11 C18:1 content significantly (P<0.05) but decreased trans-10 C18:1 content (P<0.01) at 16h and 24h. It caused a significant increase of oleic acid content (P<0.01) at 8h, 16h and 24h, and decreased fraction of stearic acid (P<0.001) at all the time points. After 16h incubation, fish oil also significantly (P<0.05) increased the amount of trans-11 C18:1+cis-9, trans-11 CLA but significantly (P<0.05) reduced the amount of trans-10 C18:1+trans-10, cis-12 CLA. Together, our results showed that fish oil supplementation can significantly increase the production of cis-9, trans-11 CLA and trans-11 C18:1, and lower the amount of trans-10 C18:1 and trans-10, cis-12 CLA in the ruminal fluid.

Effects of supplementation with fish oil and barium selenate on performance, carcass characteristics and muscle fatty acid composition of late season lamb finished on grass-based or concentrate-based diets

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of fish oil supplementation on performance and muscle fatty acid composition of hill lambs finished on grass-based or concentrate-based diets, and to examine the interaction with selenium (Se) status. In September 2006, 180 entire male lambs of mixed breeds were sourced from six hill farms after weaning and finished on five dietary treatments: grazed grass (GG), grass +0.4 kg/day cereal-based concentrate (GC), grass +0.4 kg/day cereal-based concentrate enriched with fish oil (GF), ad libitum cereal-based concentrate (HC) and ad libitum fish oil-enriched concentrate (HF). Within each treatment, half of the lambs were also supplemented with barium selenate by subcutaneous injection. At the start of the trial, the proportion of lambs with a marginal (<0.76 μmol/l) or deficient (<0.38 μmol/l) plasma Se status was 0.84 and 0.39, respectively. Compared with control lambs, GG lambs treated with Se had higher (P < 0.01) plasma Se levels, whereas erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity was higher (P < 0.01) for Se-supplemented lambs fed diets GG and GF. However, Se supplementation had no effects on any aspect of animal performance. Fish oil increased (P < 0.05) levels of 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 in the Longissimus dorsi of HF lambs but otherwise had no effect on the health attributes of lamb meat. There were no significant effects of fish oil on dry matter intake, animal performance or lamb carcass characteristics. Daily carcass weight gain (CWG; P < 0.001), carcass weight (P < 0.01) and conformation score (P < 0.01) increased with increasing concentrate inputs. Lambs fed concentrate-based diets achieved a higher mean CWG (P < 0.001), dressing proportion (P < 0.001) and carcass weight (P < 0.011), and were slaughtered up to 8.3 days earlier (P < 0.05) and at 1.2 kg lower (P < 0.05) live weight than pasture-fed lambs. However, carcasses from grass-fed lambs contained lower levels of perinephric and retroperitoneal fat (P < 0.05), and had less fat over the Iliocostalis thoracis (P < 0.001) and Obliquus internus abdominis (P < 0.05). Meat from grass-fed lambs also had lower levels of 18:2n-6 and total n-6 fatty acids compared with those finished indoors. The results of this study demonstrate that fish oil supplementation has some benefits for the health attributes of meat from lambs fed concentrate-based diets but not grass-based diets. Supplementing Se-deficient lambs with barium selenate will improve Se status of lambs fed zero-concentrate diets, but has no additional benefit when lambs are already consuming their daily Se requirement from concentrates or when fish oil-enriched diets are fed.

Effects of n–3 Supplementation on Plasma and Liver Phospholipid Fatty Acids Profile in Aged Wistar Rats

The effects of fish oil supplementation in Wistar rats are focused on cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic and antioxidant status changes. We determined plasma and liver phospholipid fatty acids (FAs) status and plasma lipid concentrations in aged Wistar rats. Our results showed differences in plasma and liver FAs profiles as well as plasma chlolesterol (CHOL), triglicerides (TG), high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), CHOL/HDL ratio (risk factor for atherosclerosis) and LDL/HDL ratio (risk for cardiovascular diseases) between treated and control group of animals. In fish oil treated group there were statistically significant changes in FAs profile in increasing linoleic acid (LA), dihomo-γ linoleic acid, eicopentanoic acid (EPA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and decreasing in arachidonic acid (AA) concentration. Also, liver phospholipids FAs results showed increasing concentrations of vascenic acid, LA, EPA, and DPA and decreasing concentration of AA after supplementation of fish oil compared to control group. However, concentrations of CHOL, LDL and non HDL concentrations decreased while HDL increased in fish oil group. CHOL/HDL, LDL/HDL ratios decreased. These findings suggest that long term treatment of fish oil in aged Wistar rats can be beneficial in decreasing LDL, and decreasing risk factors for developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. (doi: 10.5562/cca1751)

Fish oil promotes survival and protects against cognitive decline in severely undernourished mice by normalizing satiety signals

Severe malnutrition resulting from anorexia nervosa or involuntary starvation leads to low weight, cognitive deficits and increased mortality rates. In the present study, we examined whether fish oil supplementation, compared with that of canola oil, would ameliorate the morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions by normalizing endocannabinoid and monoaminergic systems as well as other systems involved in satiety and cognitive function within the hypothalamus and hippocampus. Female Sabra mice restricted to 40% of their daily food intake exhibited decreased body weight, were sickly in appearance, displayed cognitive deficits and had increased mortality rates. Strikingly, fish oil supplementation that contains high omega-3 fatty acids levels decreased mortality and morbidity, and normalized the expression of genes and neurotransmitters in the hippocampus and hypothalamus. Fish oil supplementation, but not canola oil, increased survival rates, improved general appearance and prevented cognitive decline, despite the facts that both diets contained an equivalent number of calories and that there were no differences in weight between mice maintained on the two diets in 100% but decrease in the 40%. In the hypothalamus, the beneficial effects of fish oil supplementation were related to normalization of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonylglycerol, serotonin (5-HT) ( P<.056), dopamine, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Ca 2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase (Camkk2). In the hippocampus, fish oil supplementation normalized 5-HT, Camkk2, silent mating type information regulation 1 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. In conclusion, dietary supplements of fish oil, as source of omega-3 fatty acids, may alleviate cognitive impairments associated with severe diet restriction and prolong survival independently of weight gain by normalizing neurochemical systems.

Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Markers of the Metabolic Syndrome

To investigate whether fish oil affects cardiovascular risk factors during the adolescent growth spurt. A total of 78 boys age 13-15 years with a mean body fat percentage of 30%+/-9% were randomly assigned to consume fish oil (providing 1.5 g of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid/day) or vegetable oil (control) for 16 weeks. The oils were included in bread. After the intervention, the red blood cell (RBC) content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were 1.2%+/-0.5% and 6.7%+/-1.6%, respectively, in the those receiving fish oil (FO group), compared with 0.6%+/-0.3% and 4.1%+/-0.9% in the control group. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 3.8+/-1.4 mm Hg lower (P<.006) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 2.6+/-1.1 mm Hg lower (P<.01) in the FO group compared with the control group. Plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) concentration and insulin sensitivity were unaffected by either of the treatments. Plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and non-HDL cholesterol were increased by 5% and 7%, respectively, in the FO group, and by 2% and 0% in the control group (P<.01-.02). The changes in RBC EPA content were inversely correlated with the changes in SBP and DBP and directly correlated with the increases in HDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol concentrations. No association was seen between RBC EPA and plasma TAG concentration or insulin sensitivity. Fish oil improves BP in normotensive and normolipidemic slightly overweight adolescent boys.

Comparative Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation and Montelukast on Airway Inflammation and Bronchoconstriction Induced by Eucapnic Voluntary Hyperventilation

Comparative Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation and Montelukast on Airway Inflammation and Bronchoconstriction Induced by Eucapnic Voluntary Hyperventilation

Effect of fish oil supplementation on mammary lipogenesis in mice

Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), notably DHA and EPA, impact many metabolic pathways including down regulation of hepatic lipogenesis. Interestingly, fish oil supplements tend to increase mammary de novo synthesized medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) in lactating rodents, suggesting that the effect of PUFA on lipogenesis may be tissue specific. Our objective was to examine the effect of omega‐3 PUFA on mammary lipogenesis. Female C57BL/6J mice were fed a semi‐purified low fat control diet beginning 1 wk prepartum. On d 6 of lactation, mice were maintained on the low fat control diet ( 5% dietary oil) or shifted to high fat diets (10% dietary oil) enriched in either omega‐3 PUFA (fish oil) or oleic acid (control high fat) for 7 d (n = 8 mice/group). Results showed that mammary lipogenic capacity, measured by C14‐glucose incorporation into lipids by mammary explants, was similar among treatments. Moreover, there was no treatment effect on the proportion of MCFA in milk fat (g/100 g fatty acids) or litter weight gain, a proxy for milk energy secretion. In contrast, the omega‐3 rich diet reduced liver weight compared to controls (P&lt;0.001). Overall, dietary omega‐3 PUFA had no apparent effect on mammary lipogenesis at the experimental dietary level. Moreover, when contrasted with the concomitant reduction in liver weight, results suggest that murine mammary lipogenesis may be less‐ or non‐responsive to omega‐3 PUFA.