Eicosadienoic Acid Research Articles

Spatial Analysis of Phosphatidylinositol Molecular Species in Pork Chop Tissues Using Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/ionization-Mass Spectrometry Imaging.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) is a powerful technique for visualizing lipids in biological tissues. Phosphatidylinositol (PI), a phospholipid in pork, is a major source of inositol in animal-derived foods believed to be protective against diseases related to pregnancy and cancer. However, the distribution of PI molecular species in pork is not well understood. Here, we performed MALDI-MSI analysis to investigate the distribution and composition of PI molecular species in pork chop comprising Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle (loin), intermuscular fat tissue, transparent tissue, and spinalis muscle. Twelve diacyl-PI molecular species were identified using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and MALDI-MS/MS analysis and visualized using MALDI-MSI. Spinalis muscle had the highest amount of identified PI molecular species, followed by loin, transparent tissue, and intermuscular fat tissue. The diacyl-PI molecular species containing hexadecadienoic, oleic, linoleic and eicosadienoic acids at the sn-2 position were mainly abundant in the loin and spinalis muscle, whereas those containing mead, arachidonic, docosatetraenoic, and docosapentaenoic acids at the sn-2 position were mainly abundant in both muscles as well as transparent tissues. Notably, the balance of PI molecular species differed among the tissues depending on fatty acid compositions at the sn-2 position. These results suggested that MALDI-MSI is a promising tool for assessing the association between individual pork tissues and the protective effects of PI molecular species against diseases related to pregnancy and cancer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing tissue-specific distributions of PI molecular species in pork chop using MALDI-MSI.

Performance and Potentiality of Camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) Genotypes in Response to Sowing Date under Mediterranean Environment

Given the growing interest for camelina, as a multipurpose oilseed crop, seven cultivars and two sowing times were compared to characterize camelina’s production potential in the rainfed agroecosystems of Central Italy. A split-plot design, with sowing date as main plot (autumn and spring) and cultivar (V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, and CELINE) as subplot, was adopted over two growing seasons (2017–2019). Phenology, yield and yield components, protein and oil content, and fatty acid profile were evaluated. Going from autumn to spring sowing, a significant reduction was observed in the number of days (139 vs. 54 days) and GDD (642 vs. 466 °C d) from emergence to beginning of flowering, with more consistent variations among cultivars. V1 and V2 were the earlier ones both in spring and autumn sowing. Autumn sowing increased seed yield (+18.0%), TSW (+4.1%), number of siliques per plant (+47.2%), contents of α-linolenic, eicosenoic, erucic and eicosadienoic acids, and polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio. Regarding genotype, V3 showed the best seed and oil yield in autumn, whereas V1 and CELINE were the best performing in spring. Finally, TSW and number of siliques per plant were the key yield components for camelina. Results identify, in relation to sowing date, the most suitable cultivars for the tested environment, in terms of earliness and quanti-qualitative traits.

ANALYSIS OF FATTY ACID PROFILES FOR EASTERN BOX (TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA) AND COMMON SNAPPING (CHELYDRA SERPENTINE) TURTLES IN WILD AND MANAGED CARE ENVIRONMENTS

The housing of wild animals in managed care facilities requires attention to all aspects of husbandry. Diets of wild animals often differ in composition, consistency, and quantity when compared with those in managed care settings including zoos, rehabilitation facilities, and aquaria. It was hypothesized that dietary differences from wild versus managed care would be reflected in data of circulating fatty acids based on previous studies. The current study examined the effect of species and environment on fatty acid concentrations in two omnivorous species of chelonians: Eastern box turtles, Terrapene carolina carolina, and common snapping turtles, Chelydra serpentina, located in the wild and managed care. Whole blood was collected and placed on spot cards for analysis of 26 fatty acids in a total lipid fatty acid profile. The present research indicated that Eastern box turtles have significantly (P < 0.05) higher percentages of linoleic acid (18:2n6), eicosadienoic acid (20:2n6), and mead acid (20:3n9). Common snapping turtles have significantly (P < 0.05) higher percentages of myristic acid (14:0), dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (20:3n6), erucic acid (22:1n9), and n-6 docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n6). Environmental effects also were noted; wild turtles had higher percentages of α-linolenic acid (18:3n3), arachidic acid (20:0), eicosadienoic acid (20:2n6), and eicosatrienoic acid (20:3n3) (P < 0.05), whereas n-6 docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n6) was higher for the managed care group. Eicosadienoic acid (20:2n6), behenic acid; 22:0), adrenic acid (22:4n6), n-6 docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n6), and nervonic acid (24:1) were significantly different (P < 0.05) in species-environment interactions without any noted species or environment patterns. Fatty acids are useful for many important biological functions including proper immune system regulation, and therefore, the present research provides medically relevant data for reptile diagnostics. This research may help further improve diets of all chelonians kept in managed care, regardless of species.

Diversity in seed oil content and fatty acid composition in Acer species with potential as sources of nervonic acid

Nervonic acid (NA, cis-15-tetracosenoic acid) is a very long-chain monounsaturated fatty acid that has been shown to be a core component of nerve fibers and nerve cells. It can be used to treat and prevent many neurological diseases. At present, commercially available NA is mainly derived from Acer truncatum seeds, which contain about 5%–6% NA in their seed oil. The aim of this study were to identify and analyze NA-containing Acer species that could be used as NA resource plants. For this purpose, 46 Acer species seeds were collected in China and in some or all of the seed oils from these species 15 fatty acids were detected, including linoleic acid, oleic acid (C18:1Δ9, C18:1Δ11), erucic acid, palmitic acid, NA, linolenic acid (C18:3Δ6,9,12, C18:3Δ9,12,15), eicosenoic acid (C20:1Δ11, C20:1Δ13), stearic acid, behenic acid, tetracosanoic acid, arachidic acid, and docosadienoic acid. Nervonic acid was detected in all samples, but the content was highly variable among species. NA content over 9% was detected in eleven species, of which Acer elegantulum had the highest levels (13.90%). The seed oil content, seed weight, and fatty acid profiles varied among species, but the comprehensive evaluation value (W) showed that A. coriaceifolium could be a new potential NA resources plant. The results also showed that NA was significantly negatively correlated with palmitic acid, oleic acid, and eicosenoic acid, but positively correlated with eicosadienoic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, and tetracosanoic acid, which indicate the probable pathway for NA biosynthesis in Acer plants. This study has identified Acer species that may serve as NA resources and will help guide subsequent species breeding programs.

Lipidomic analysis of lactic acid bacteria strains by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Analysis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to characterize the lipid profile of 3 lactic acid bacteria strains. By gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, 23 fatty acids were identified. Dominant acids were palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1), and α-linoleic acid (C18:3n-3) for Lactobacillus paracasei; for Lactococcus lactis they were palmitic (C16:0), gondoic (C20:1), myristoleic (C14:1), and eicosadienoic acid (C20:2), respectively; and in the case of Lactobacillus curvatus were C18:1, C18:2n-6, and C16:0, respectively. The effect of the medium on fatty acid composition was also determined. In addition, the fatty acid profile was also compared using MALDI MS analysis. The MALDI-TOF MS was used for qualitative analysis and identification of bacterial lipids. Phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, triacylglycerols, and ceramides were the most abundant species in lactic acid bacteria. One hundred different combinations of fatty acids in polar and nonpolar lipids have been identified, including 11 phospholipids (18 phosphatidylglycerol, 16 phosphatidylethanolamine, 10 phosphatidylinositol, 8 phosphatidylcholine, 4 lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine, 3 lyso-phosphatidylcholine, 3 phosphatidylserine, 1 lyso-phosphatidic acid, 1 lyso-phosphatidylglycerol, 1 lyso-phoshatidylinositol, and 1 phosphatidic acid), 23 triacylglycerols, 9 ceramides, and 2 sphingomyelin. The most abundant fatty acids identified were C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, and C18:3. Obtained lipid profiles allowed to distinguish the tested bacterial strains.

Association of n-6 PUFAs with the risk of diabetic retinopathy in diabetic patients.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), the most common microvascular complication of diabetes and leading cause of visual impairment in adults worldwide, is suggested to be linked to abnormal lipid metabolism. The present study aims to comprehensively investigate the relationship between n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and DR. This was a propensity score matching based case–control study, including 69 pairs of DR patients and type 2 diabetic patients without DR with mean age of 56.7 ± 9.2 years. Five n-6 PUFAs were determined by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS system. Principle component regression (PCR) and multiple conditional logistic regression models were used to investigate the association of DR risk with n-6 PUFAs depending on independent training and testing sets, respectively. According to locally weighted regression model, we observed obvious negative correlation between levels of five n-6 PUFAs (linoleic acid, γ-linolenic acid, eicosadienoic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and arachidonicacid) and DR. Based on multiple PCR model, we also observed significant negative association between the five n-6 PUFAs and DR with adjusted OR (95% CI) as 0.62 (0.43,0.87). When being evaluated depending on the testing set, the association was still existed, and PCR model had excellent classification performance, in which area under the curve (AUC) was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.78, 0.99). In addition, the model also had valid calibration with a non-significant Hosmer–Lemeshow Chi-square of 9.44 (P = 0.307) in the testing set. n-6 PUFAs were inversely associated with the presence of DR, and the principle component could be potential indicator in distinguishing DR from other T2D patients.

Putting the Spring back into the Hare (Pedetes capensis): Meat Chemical Composition of an Underutilized Protein Source.

Alternative protein sources are gaining increasing global attention as a solution to address future protein demands. Determining the chemical composition of meat alternatives is vital to confirm that it is nutritious, but also to increase product value and promote its utilization. The carcass characteristics and chemical composition of springhare, an underutilized protein source, was found to be comparable to that of commercially reared rabbits. Hence, its introduction into the commercial supply chain would likely not offset consumers accustomed to purchasing rabbit/hare meat. Springhare meat had a high protein content (~22.5 g/100 g meat) and low lipid (<1.3 g/100 g meat) content. The meat’s fatty acids mainly comprised C18:2n6c (γ-linoleic acid; 24%), C18:0 (stearic acid; 20%), C16:0 (palmitic acid; 19%), C20:4n6 (arachidonic acid; 15%) and C18:1n9c (oleic acid; 13%). Although sex did not significantly influence the carcass characteristics and meat composition, season did have an effect (p < 0.05) on the fatty acid profile. The meat harvested in summer had higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of favorable unsaturated fatty acids, C18:2n6c, C18:3n6, C18:3n3 (α-linolenic acid), C20:2n6 (eicosadienoic acid), C20:3n3 (eicosatrienoic acid), compared to the meat obtained in winter, which contained more (p < 0.05) saturated fatty acids. The results verify that springhare can be utilized as a viable alternative protein source.

Fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients.

Disturbances in fatty acid (FA) metabolism have been reported in cirrhosis, but the role of FAs in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear. Biomarkers are a promising means to explore the associations between exogenous intake or endogenous production of FAs and cancer risk. To estimate the relationship between fatty acid content in erythrocyte membranes and HCC risk in cirrhotic patients METHODS: The "CiRCE" case-control study recruited cirrhotic patients from six French hospitals between 2008 and 2012. Cases were cirrhotic patients with HCC (n = 349); controls were cirrhotic patients without HCC at inclusion (n = 550). FA composition of phospholipids in erythrocyte membranes was determined by high performance gas chromatography. Odds ratios for HCC risk according to FA concentrations were estimated with multivariable logistic regression. HCC patients were older and more often men (P < 0.001). In both groups, saturated FAs represented more than 39% of all FAs in erythrocyte membranes, mono-unsaturated FAs around 14%, and polyunsaturated FAs around 46%. High levels of C15:0 + C17:0, C20:1 n-9, C18:2 n-6 and C20:2 n-6 were associated with higher risk of HCC. The levels of C18:0 and C20:4 n-6 were lower in HCC cases than in controls. The FA composition of erythrocyte membranes differed according to the presence of HCC with higher levels of saturated FAs, linoleic and eicosadienoic acids, and lower levels of stearic and arachidonic acids. These alterations may reflect particular dietary patterns and/or altered FA metabolism. Further investigations are warranted.

A prospective study of erythrocyte polyunsaturated fatty acids and risk of colorectal serrated polyps and conventional adenomas.

The influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on risk of colorectal cancer precursors remains largely unknown. We examined the associations of erythrocyte PUFAs, including n-3 and n-6 PUFAs, with risk of colorectal conventional adenomas and serrated polyps in 4517 participants from three US prospective cohorts who had provided a blood sample and undergone at least one endoscopic examination. We calculated the multivariable odds ratios (ORs) per 1 SD increment in individual PUFAs and the ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFAs. We considered P < .005 statistically significant to account for multiple testing. During a median of 20 years of follow-up, we documented 493 conventional adenomas and 316 serrated polyps. After adjusting for various CRC risk factors, no associations for PUFAs achieved the stringent statistical significance for either conventional adenomas or serrated polyps (ORs per 1 SD ranged from 0.90 to 1.14). Some associations achieved nominal significance (P < .05), including the association of dihomogammalinolenic acid (DGLA) (20:3, n-6) with lower risk of conventional adenomas (OR = 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.83-1.00), total n-6 PUFAs with higher risk of proximal serrated polyps (OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.01-1.74) and eicosadienoic acid (20:2, n-6) and DGLA with lower risk of advanced adenomas (OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.71-0.97 and OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.72-0.98, respectively). Our findings indicate that erythrocyte PUFAs in a typical American diet are unlikely to have a substantial influence on risk of colorectal cancer precursors. The subgroup associations require further confirmation.

Gut microbial composition in patients with atrial fibrillation: effects of diet and drugs

Atrial fibrillation (AF) reduces the quality of life by triggering stroke and heart failure. The association between AF onset and gut metabolites suggests a causal relationship between AF and gut microbiota dysbiosis; however, the relationship remains poorly understood. We prospectively enrolled 34 hospitalized patients with AF and 66 age-, sex-, and comorbidity-matched control subjects without a history of AF. Gut microbial compositions were evaluated by amplicon sequencing targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. We assessed differences in dietary habits by using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ). Gut microbial richness was lower in AF patients, although the diversity of gut microbiota did not differ between the two groups. At the genus level, Enterobacter was depleted, while Parabacteroides, Lachnoclostridium, Streptococcus, and Alistipes were enriched in AF patients compared to control subjects. The BDHQ revealed that the intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and eicosadienoic acid was higher in AF patients. Our results suggested that AF patients had altered gut microbial composition in connection with dietary habits.

INVESTIGATING FUNCTIONAL FOOD COMPONENTS AND EFFECT OF BOILING ON SOME SPECIES OF SESAME (SESAMUM INDICUM) SEEDS

The functional components - phytochemicals, vitamin, proximate, mineral and fatty acid compositions of three different species of sesame seeds: S. orientale, S. radiatum and S. V. Ex. Sudan were evaluated to establish use as functional food. Also the impact of boiling in water as a method of food processing was investigated on the alkaloid and flavonoid as well as vitamin compositions at varying times. The results revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavanoids, saponin, tannin and phenol of which S. radiatum recorded the highest percentage of flavanoid (25.333±1.528%) and least percentage alkaloid (35.333±0.577%). The highest vitamin C concentration was observed in S. V. Ex. Sudan (0.0062±0.0002) and vitamin E was highest in S. radiatum (0.1781±0.0006) which also had the highest lipid content of 58.9 + 0.75% indicating highest oil content compared to the other two species. Sesamum V. Ex. Sudan had highest crude fibre of 8.5 + 0.92%. Sesamum radiatum contained highest calcium, magnesium, zinc copper and iron while S. orientale had highest sodium and cobalt. The oil extracted with ethanol contains more different types of fatty acids than the manually extracted oil. There were more different unsaturated fatty acids than saturated ones in the seeds. The Saturated fatty acids (SFA) identified in the oil samples were caproic acid (C6:0) found only in the oil extracted with ethanol but not in the manually extracted one; palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), arachidic acid (C20.0), behenic acid (C22.0), and lignoceric acid (C24.0). Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) identified in the samples were myristoleic acid (C14:1) which was found only in the oil extracted with ethanol; palmitoleic acid (C16:1) oleic [C18.1(9)], vaccenic acid [C18.1(11)], eicosenoic acid (C20.1) and erusic acid (C22:1). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) identified in the oil samples were linoleic (C18:2),, alpha linolenic acid (C18:3),, eicosadienoic acid (C20.2), arachidonic (C20.4), dihomo-Y-linolenic (C20.3) and docosahexaenoic (C22:6) acids. The oil samples were rich especially in oleic [C18.1(9)] and vaccenic acid [C18.1(11)]. More so, considerable amount of alkaloid, flavanoid and vitamins contents were recorded after a maximum boiling time of thirty minutes for the cooked samples. The presence of these components predisposes these sesame seeds as valuable functional food.

Exercise Training Alters Red Blood Cell Fatty Acid Desaturase Indices and Adipose Tissue Fatty Acid Profile in African Women with Obesity.

This study assessed the changes in red blood cell total phospholipid (RBC-TPL) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) fatty acid (FA) composition in response to 12 weeks of exercise training in South African women with obesity and the associations with changes in cardiometabolic risk factors. Previously sedentary women were randomized into control (n = 15) or exercise (n = 20) groups. RBC-TPL and SAT FA profiles, SAT gene expression, systemic inflammatory markers, liver fat, and insulin sensitivity (SI ) were measured before and after the intervention. Compared with control, exercise training induced decreases in RBC-TPL dihomo-γ-linolenic acid content and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 and increased delta-5 desaturase-estimated activity (P < 0.05). In the combined group, these changes correlated with changes in circulating leptin and TNFα (P < 0.05), as well as lower liver fat (P < 0.01). Exercise training decreased saturated FA (lauric and myristic acids) and increased polyunsaturated FA (eicosadienoic and adrenic acids) (P < 0.05) in abdominal SAT, whereas γ-linolenic acid decreased (P < 0.01) in gluteal SAT. These changes in RBC-TPL and SAT FA compositions were not associated with changes in SAT gene expression and SI . Exercise training alters RBC-TPL desaturase activities, which correlate with lower liver fat and systemic inflammation but not with the improvement of SI .

Serum Metabolomic Profile of Critical Limb-Threatening Ischemia Patients

Despite a high prevalence of 10% to 20% in the elderly population, peripheral artery disease (PAD) is often undiagnosed in the primary care setting as over 50% of patients are asymptomatic. Some patients experience variable and unpredicTable progression to the severe, end-stage form known as critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). A better understanding of this progression can reduce delays in surgical interventions, reduce amputations and decrease mortality. With the help of metabolomics, we aim to investigate PAD and CLTI at the metabolites level. Non-PAD, PAD, and CLTI patients were recruited for this study (ethics application number REB #16-375). Patients with diabetes, history of cancer, deep vein thrombosis, and acute coronary syndrome were excluded. Nontargeted metabolite screening of serum was conducted using three operation modes of multisegment injection-capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry with full-scan data acquisition, where a total of 90 authentic metabolites were consistently detected in the majority of samples after a stringent process of data filtering and quality control. A total of 60 patients were recruited and stratified based on the Rutherford Classification for chronic limb ischemia into CLTI (n = 20), PAD (n = 20) and non-PAD controls (n = 20). Compared with controls, patients with CLTI showed lower serum concentrations of creatine, lysine, histidine, linoleic and eicosadienoic acids, as well as higher concentrations of creatinine and phenylacetylglutamine that satisfied a false discovery rate adjustment (q < 0.05) (Figure). All identified serum metabolites were also correlated with the ankle-brachial index (r = ± 0.35 – 0.44; P = .01-.0001). Reduced creatine/creatinine ratios in circulation likely indicates a perturbation in energy metabolism within skeletal muscle, which may be specific to CLTI as compared to coronary artery disease. Lower serum levels of linoleic acid is indicative of increased atherosclerotic processes in CLTI patients, whereas phenylacetylglutamine is a uremic toxin that is an independent risk factor for overall mortality and cardiovascular disease. Also, decreased serum levels of the antioxidant histidine in the diseased state can contribute to reduced protection of vascular tissue from increased free radical production in CLTI patients. This work provides novel biochemical insights into the pathophysiology of CLTI and offers a new foundation for possible metabolic markers that can be used for PAD and CLTI screening and monitoring.

Red Blood Cell Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Vascular Diseases: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the causal association of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), as measured in red blood cells (RBC), with cardiovascular disease (CVD), cerebrovascular disease (CBVD), and peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Methods Applying a two-sample Mendelian Randomization approach, we first developed genetic instruments for RBC-PUFAs by utilizing summary statistics from previous genome-wide association study in the Framingham Heart Study. We then evaluated the association of these instrumental variables with CVD, CBVD, PVD, and their subtypes in the UK Biobank cohort. Results Strong evidence of causal association with at least one RBC-PUFAs was observed for the overall risk of PVD and three of its subtypes (aortic aneurysm and dissection, arterial embolism and thrombosis, and other PVDs), but only for two CVD subtypes (hypertensive heart disease, and chronic ischemic heart disease) and for two CBVD subtypes (stroke, and cerebral infarction). Based on their effects on all examined diseases, RBC-PUFAs clustered into two groups: a protective group with alpha-Linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), eicosadienoic acid (EDA), and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA); and the other risk group with docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), arachidonic acid (AA), and adrenic acid (AdrA). PUFAs in the protective group are protective, while those in the risk group are risk-increasing, for all diseases with significant associations except for hypertensive heart diseases. In the metabolic pathway converting short-chain PUFAs into long-chain ones, the protective group is mapped to precursors of desaturases, while the risk group corresponds to their products. Conclusions Genetically regulated RBC-PUFAs are associated with the risk of PVD, and subtypes of PVD, CVD, and CBVD. Funding Sources University of Georgia Research Foundation.

Serum Urate, PUFAs and Abdominal Obesity in Hispanic Children: The Viva La Familia Study

Abstract Objectives Elevated serum urate is known to increase chronic kidney and cardiovascular disease risk. Studies in adults have shown inverse association between serum urate and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Here, we aimed to determine the relationship between serum levels of PUFAs and urate in overweight/obese Hispanic children of the Viva La Familia Study (VFS) and then test whether it is mediated by obesity and insulin resistance. Methods VFS was designed to determine the genetic and environmental effects on childhood obesity. n-3 (EPA, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) and n-6 (arachidonic acid (AA), linoleic acid (LA), eicosadienoic and docosadienoic acid) PUFAs were measured as part of metabolomic profiling (N = 782). Quantitative genetic and phenotypic analyses were conducted using SOLAR. Mediation analysis was conducted using Baron and Kenny approach with waist circumference (WC), BMIZ and HOMA (measures of obesity and insulin resistance) as mediators. Results Phenotypic correlations showed that serum urate was positively associated with LA (β = 0.08 (0.02), P &amp;lt; 0.0001), ALA (β = 0.03 (0.01), P &amp;lt; 0.05), eicosadienoic (β = 0.09 (0.02), P &amp;lt; 0.0001) and docosadienoic acid (β = 0.04 (0.007), P &amp;lt; 0.0001). Further analysis showed inverse genetic correlations between serum urate and EPA (rhog = −0.30 (0.14), P &amp;lt; 0.05), BMIZ (rhog = 0.45 (0.12), P &amp;lt; 0.005) and waist circumference (rhog = 0.42 (0.11), P &amp;lt; 0.005). The genetic correlation between serum urate and EPA remained significant after adjustment for BMIZ (rhog = −0.27 (0.13), P &amp;lt; 0.05) and HOMA (rhog = −0.23 (0.13), P &amp;lt; 0.05). However, it was no longer significant after adjustment for WC (rhog = −0.21 (0.13), P = 0.10). No statistical significance was observed for other PUFAs. Conclusions Our genetic analysis suggests pleiotropic relationship between EPA and serum urate levels as observed in adults. This relationship seems to be mediated by WC, a surrogate measure for abdominal obesity, but not by BMIZ or HOMA. Further investigations are warranted to determine the role of EPA in reducing serum urate and its implications for associated diseases. Funding Sources NIDDK.

Five serum fatty acids are associated with subclinical hypothyroidism in a Chinese pregnant population

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. Although SCH and abnormal fatty acid composition are often associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and metabolic syndrome later in maternal and fetal life, the longitudinal relationship between SCH and serum fatty acids during pregnancy has rarely been studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between SCH and maternal serum fatty acids throughout gestation. A total of 240 women enrolled in the Complex Lipids in Mothers and Babies (CLIMB) study in Chongqing, China were included in our study. Clinical information and maternal serum samples were collected at three time points during pregnancy: 11–14th, 22–28th, and 32–34th weeks of gestation. Twenty serum fatty acids were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. A majority of the 20 serum fatty acids increased as gestation progressed in women with a normal pregnancy and women experiencing SCH. Levels of arachidic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and eicosenoic acid were significantly higher in the serum of women with SCH when compared to women with a normal pregnancy, in the second trimester. On the other hand, the levels of eicosadienoic acid and octadecanoic acid were significantly higher in SCH in the third trimester. Our findings demonstrate that serum fatty acid composition during the second and third trimesters was significantly associated with SCH in pregnant Chinese women.

The diversity of fatty acid composition in traditional and rare oil crops cultivated in Russia

This review is devoted to the description of chemical peculiarities of industrial oil crops cultivated (or prospective for cultivation) in Russia, which are stored in the VIR collection. Different crops have similar fatty acids biosynthesis pathways, but each species has its own individualities in the chemical composition of the oil and its genetic control. The diversity of oil crop chemical composition opens the possibility of its multipurpose utilization practically in all industrial segments. Sunflower, rapeseed, flax, mustard, camelina and safflower are cultivated in Russia as oil crops. Castor beans, perilla, lallemantia and noog are not cultivated on an industrial scale, but have original oil properties and are prospective for future cultivation. Hemp and poppy seeds contain oil valuable for food, but they are not widespread. Cotton and peanut oils are prospective for industrial purposes when early, already created varieties of these crops will be cultivated in Russia. Oil properties depend on the ratio of its basic fatty acids: saturated (stearic, palmitic) and unsaturated (oleic, linoleic, linolenic). As a rule, lauric, myristic and palmitoleic acids are determined in minor quantities. The oil of Brassicaceae crops also includes arachidic, eicosenoic, eicosadienoic, behenic, erucic and lignoceric acids. Fatty acids accumulation is influenced by growing conditions, though it has strict genetic control.

Biofortification of Hens Eggs with Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids by New Dietary Formulation: Supercritical Microalgal Extract.

Simple SummaryPolyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential components of the human diet. The consumption of PUFA can be increased by enriching animal products, such as eggs, with bioactive compounds. New dietary feed supplements were elaborated to increase the level of PUFAs in hens eggs. Nutritional and technological aspects related to the development of functional eggs were discussed. Experimental works dealing with feeding hens new supplements and an investigation of the bioavailability of PUFAs and their transfer to eggs content were undertaken. Analysis of the results obtained during tests showed that used additives may increase the content of such fatty acids (FAs) in eggs: docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, C22:5 n-3), eicosadienoic acid (C22:2 n-6), and the total omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids content (PUFA n-6). The investigated additives may also reduce the content of saturated fatty acids (SFA) such as pentadecanoic acid (C15:0).The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Spirulina platensis, formulation containing microalgal extract, post-extraction residue, and formulation without algal extract (containing only emulsifier) on the content of FAs in the eggs of laying hens. The experiment was conducted on 90 laying hens (ISA Brown) as a completely randomized design. Hens were assigned to five experimental groups (six replicates). The FAs content in eggs was determined after 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of the experiment. There were no statistically significant differences in FA profiles after 30 days of the experiment. It was shown that after 60, 90, and 120 days of the experiment, the investigated additives had a significant impact on the content of such acids as: dodecanoic acid (C12:0), C15:0, nonadecanoic acid (C19:0), myristoleic acid (C14:1 n-5), α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 n-3), DPA, C20:2 n-6, and decosahexaenoic acid (DHA C22:6 n-6). There were also significant differences in total PUFA n-3, PUFA n-6, and n-6/n-3 ratio in eggs. The obtained results suggest that the use of algae extract and emulsifier in laying hens nutrition has the greatest impact on the FA profile in the eggs.

Association between erythrocyte membrane n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and carotid atherosclerosis: A prospective study

Background and aimsThe relationship of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with cardiovascular risk is still controversial. We aimed to determine whether erythrocyte n-3 and n-6 PUFAs are related to the risk of carotid atherosclerosis. MethodsFrom 2008 to 2019, baseline erythrocyte n-3 and n-6 PUFAs were determined in a cohort of 4040 Chinese adults (40–75 ys). The intima-media thickness (IMT) at the common carotid artery (CCA) and bifurcation of the carotid artery (BIF) and carotid plaque were assessed using ultrasonography at baseline and every 3 years. ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 8.8 years, we identified the following newly diagnosed cases: 535 cases of CCAIMT thickening, 654 cases of BIFIMT thickening, and 850 cases of carotid plaque. Higher erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) and lower gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) were associated with decreased risks of BIFIMT thickening. N-3 eicosatrienoic acid (ETrA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and n-6 dodecylthioacetic acid (DTA) presented a significant beneficial association with carotid IMT thickening in the short-term (2.8 y) follow-up (all p trend <0.02), although the association was attenuated in the relatively long-term (8.8 y) follow-up. In addition, carotid plaque risk was found to be inversely associated with ETrA and DHA but positively associated with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). N-6 linolenic acid (LA) and eicosadienoic acid (EDA) were not significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis risk. ConclusionsHigher erythrocyte very-long-chain n-3 and n-6 PUFAs (especially DHA and ARA) and lower erythrocyte GLA are associated with lower carotid atherosclerosis risk, suggesting potential cardioprotective roles of very-long-chain PUFAs.

Identification and characterization of two fatty acid elongases in Lipomyces starkeyi.

The oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi is a potential cost-effective source for the production of microbial lipids. Fatty acid elongases have vital roles in the syntheses of long-chain fatty acids. In this study, two genes encoding fatty acid elongases of L. starkeyi, LsELO1, and LsELO2 were identified and characterized. Heterologous expression of these genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed that LsElo1 is involved in the production of saturated long-chain fatty acids with 24 carbon atoms (C24:0) and that LsElo2 is involved in the conversion of C16 fatty acids to C18 fatty acids. In addition, both LsElo1 and LsElo2 were able to elongate polyunsaturated fatty acids. LsElo1 elongated linoleic acid (C18:2) to eicosadienoic acid (C20:2), and LsElo2 elongated α-linolenic acid (C18:3) to eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3). Overexpression of LsElo2 in L. starkeyi caused a reduction in C16 fatty acids, such as palmitic and palmitoleic acids, and an accumulation of C18 fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acids. Our findings have the potential to contribute to the remodeling of fatty acid composition and the production of polyunsaturated long-chain fatty acids in oleaginous yeasts.