Symptoms Of Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency Research Articles

Delay Aversion, Temporal Processing, and N-3 Fatty Acids Intake in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

This study investigates the association between polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake and neurocognitive functions in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We recruited 21 drug-naïve children diagnosed with ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and 21 non-ADHD controls. The n-3 intake and essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency severity were recorded while the children were assessed for inhibitory control, delay aversion, and temporal processing with the Go/No Go Task, Delayed Reaction Time Task, and Finger Tapping Task, respectively. The ADHD group had more EFA deficiency symptoms ( p = .02) and poorer performance in delay aversion ( p = .02) and temporal processing ( p < .001). Moreover, ADHD symptoms correlated negatively with n-3 intake and positively with EFA deficiency. In addition, EFA deficiency was associated with higher delay aversion ( p < .001). Children with ADHD had a higher deficiency of EFA, and EFA deficiency had a positive association with ADHD severity and delay aversion.

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the diagnosis used to describe children who are inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive. ADHD is a widespread condition that is of public health concern. In most children with ADHD the cause is unknown, but is thought to be biological and multifactorial. Several previous studies indicated that some physical symptoms reported in ADHD are similar to symptoms observed in essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency in animals and humans deprived of EFAs. We reported previously that a subgroup of ADHD subjects reporting many symptoms indicative of EFA deficiency (L-ADHD) had significantly lower proportions of plasma arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid than did ADHD subjects with few such symptoms or control subjects. In another study using contrast analysis of the plasma polar lipid data, subjects with lower compositions of total n-3 fatty acids had significantly more behavioral problems, temper tantrums, and learning, health, and sleep problems than did those with high proportions of n-3 fatty acids. The reasons for the lower proportions of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) in these children are not clear; however, factors involving fatty acid intake, conversion of EFAs to LCPUFA products, and enhanced metabolism are discussed. The relation between LCPUFA status and the behavior problems that the children exhibited is also unclear. We are currently testing this relation in a double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention in a population of children with clinically diagnosed ADHD who exhibit symptoms of EFA deficiency.

Early mortality effect of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP)

Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils have been suspected to have potential adverse health effects but no definitive conclusions about their safety have been reached. Instead, beneficial effects have been reported in animal experiments (e.g., hypotensive, anti-atherogenic and anti-thrombotic activities of hydrogenated corn oil as compared with olive oil in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP)). However, we have found that both partially hydrogenated rapeseed and soybean oils (10% w w of diet) as well as rapeseed oil have shortened the survival time of SHRSP rats by 40% as compared with soybean oil. Soybean oil and partially hydrogenated soybean oil affected the fatty acid profiles of plasma and aortic lipids but no significant differences were observed in the contents of total cholesterol or phospholipids of these tissues nor were there any differences in blood pressures. Tissue lipids contained comparable amounts of linoleic and arachidonic acids and no symptoms of essential fatty acid-deficiency were apparent in SHRSP rats fed the hydrogenated oils. It is suggested that the survival time-shortening activity of partially hydrogenated soybean oil was exerted by the cis and trans isomers of octadecenoate and/or by an unidentified factor(s) generated during partial hydrogenation.

Effect of essential fatty acid depletion on tissue phospholipid fatty acids in spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats.

Weanling male spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive (WKY) rats were maintained on a fat-free semisynthetic diet and killed at various intervals. The effects of fat-depletion on the appearance of essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency symptoms, the progressive changes of major fatty acids in plasma, liver, heart, and kidney phospholipids (PL), and in skin total lipids were compared between these two strains. After five weeks on the diet, the slower growth and the appearance of EFA deficiency symptoms became evident in SHR. In general, fat-depletion reduced the levels of n-6 fatty acids, whereas it increased those of 20:3n-9. However, the fat-depletion induced reduction of 18:2n-6 in heart PL and 20:4n-6 in kidney, while the elevation of 20:3n-9 in plasma, heart, and kidney PL were greater in WKY than in SHR. As a result, the elevation of biochemical EFA deficiency index--20:3n-9/20:4n-6 ratio--was greater in WKY than in SHR. In comparison with WKY, the concentrations of liver triacylglycerols and the weights of adipose tissues in SHR were reduced to a greater extent, indicating an active catabolism of triacylglycerols in SHR. This study suggests that the earlier appearance of morphological symptoms of EFA deficiency in SHR was not associated with the reducing n-6 EFA levels or with an elevation of triene/tetraene ratio, but possibly to a reduced supply of n-6 EFA for skin prostaglandin synthesis.

Dietary effects of n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid on essential fatty acid-deficiency symptoms of rats.

The effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20: 5n-3) on essential fatty acid (EFA)-deficient rats were studied. After low growth and scaly dermatitis in the hind legs due to dietary EFA deficiency were induced by feeding rats an EFA-free 25 % casein diet (25C) containing 30 % hydrogenated coconut oil with 1 % cholesterol (HCO • CHOL) for 8 weeks, they received the 25C diet with 0.19 or 0.57 % EPA ethyl ester concentrate added, or 0.02 % or 0.38 % linoleic acid (LA, 18: 2n-6) concentrate (Exp. I), and the HCO • CHOL meal including any one of 0.25, 0.50, or 1.00 % EPA concentrate, and 0.12 and 0.48 % LA concentrate (Exp. II) for an additional 6 weeks. When EFA-deficient rats were fed the EPA in both experiments, body weight was gained to almost reach those of the 0.38 or 0.48 % LA-fed group (control), and the dermal symptoms of the hind legs were relieved, though the degree of healing was less than those of the controls. The ratios of eicosatrienoic acid (20: 3n-9) to arachidonic acid (20: 4n-6) characteris...

Biologic significance of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the skin

• Deficiency of essential fatty acid (EFA) containing linoleic acid (18:2n-6) in humans or animals induces morphologic changes characterized by severe scaly dermatosis, extensive percutaneous water loss, and hyperproliferation of the epidermis. Microscopically, the epidermis is characterized by hyperkeratosis and acanthosis. The refeeding of safflower oil containing linoleic acid or primrose oil (containing linoleic acid [18:2n-6] and γ-linolenic acid [18:3n-6]) acids to EFA-deficient guinea pigs reverses the EFA-deficiency symptoms. In contrast, replacement of safflower oil with menhaden fish oil, (containing eicosapentaenoic acid [20:5n-3] and docosahexaenoic acid [22:6n-3]) did not reverse the symptoms of EFA deficiency. These results indicate: (1) that an understanding of the roles of vegetable or fish oil in skin must evolve from an understanding of the roles of each constituent n-6 or n-3 fatty acid, and (2) that the n-3 fatty acids may function to modulate the metabolism and function of the n-6 fatty acids in vivo. (<i>Arch Dermatol</i>1987;123:1686a-1690)

Biologic Significance of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Skin

Deficiency of essential fatty acid (EFA) containing linoleic acid (18:2n-6) in humans or animals induces morphologic changes characterized by severe scaly dermatosis, extensive percutaneous water loss, and hyperproliferation of the epidermis. Microscopically, the epidermis is characterized by hyperkeratosis and acanthosis. The refeeding of safflower oil containing linoleic acid or primrose oil (containing linoleic acid [18:2n-6] and gamma-linolenic acid [18:3n-6]) acids to EFA-deficient guinea pigs reverses the EFA-deficiency symptoms. In contrast, replacement of safflower oil with menhaden fish oil, (containing eicosapentaenoic acid [20:5n-3] and docosahexaenoic acid [22:6n-3]) did not reverse the symptoms of EFA deficiency. These results indicate: (1) that an understanding of the roles of vegetable or fish oil in skin must evolve from an understanding of the roles of each constituent n-6 or n-3 fatty acid, and (2) that the n-3 fatty acids may function to modulate the metabolism and function of the n-6 fatty acids in vivo.

The reversal of essential fatty acid deficiency symptoms in the cheetah

Two members of the Order Carnivore (the lion and the domestic cat) are known to be Δ-6-desaturase deficient. Two anoestrous 8-year-old female cheetahs exhibiting symptoms consistent with essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency were treated with encapsulated natural oils as supplement to their normal meat diet. The condition of both animals improved markedly, they came into full oestrus, mated, became pregnant, and have since produced healthy litters of cubs. This may be the first indication of a possible requirement for Δ-6-desaturase reaction products in this species.

Dietary Trilinoelaidate: Effects on Metabolic Parameters Related to EFA Metabolism in Rats

To study the effects of dietary trilinoelaidate (tt18:2) on metabolic parameters, as they relate to essential fatty acid metabolism, a diet containing “adequate” linoleic acid with incremental isocaloric tt18:2 supplementation was formulated. This diet was fed to rats for 11 weeks and oxygen (O2) consumption, insensible water loss (IWL), growth parameters and liver fatty acid composition evaluated at specified time intervals. The results showed that while an essential fatty acid deficient diet (hydrogenated tallow) increased IWL and decreased body weight gains, O2 consumption remained unaltered. Dietary tt18:2, while accumulating in liver lipids, and apparently inhibiting Δ6 desaturase, as evidenced by 18:2/20:4 ratios, did not alter O2 consumption or IWL. At the highest level of tt18:2 fed (2.5 weight percent of dietary fat) there was a noticeable decrease in body weight gains by the 11th week; organ weights, however, were not affected. While the increased consumption of dietary trans fatty acids has raised questions regarding their potential biologically detrimental effects, the present study indicated that gross metabolic alterations related to classical essential fatty acid deficiency symptoms are not precipitated in the rat by tt18:2 levels comparable to those consumed in a normal human diet.trilinoelaidate oxygen consumption insensible water loss

Dietary Lipid Requirements of Adult Lobsters, Homarus americanus (M.E.)

The effects of several dietary lipids on adult American lobster (Homarus americanus) were assessed over a 10 month feeding period. Cod liver oil (CLO) resulted in greater precent weight gains, feed conversion, percent edible meat and higher serum protein and hemocyte counts than either corn oil (CO) or hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO). These differences were probably due to an essential fatty acid (EFA) requirement by the lobster for linolenic series omega3 or other fatty acids present in CLO. The linoleic or omega6 fatty acids of CO appeared to have some sparing effect on several of the EFA deficiency symptoms. It was found that 5% CLO was optimal for mean percent weight gain, molt incidence, feed conversion and hemocyte counts of lobsters. Further increases in dietary CLO to 10% and 15% resulted in no significant improvement of any of the condition indices used. There was a decrease in serum protein and calcium when lobsters were fed a non-saponifiable sterol deficient diet. The addition of 1% cholesterol to the diet raised the serum protein, but resulted in even a greater decrease in the serum calcium level.

Essential Fatty Acids in the Diet of Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri): Growth, Feed Conversion and Some Gross Deficiency Symptoms

Experiments are described to define further the fatty acid requirements of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). In all cases, feeding semipurified diets containing no polyunsaturated fatty acids resulted in poor growth and feed conversion. Linolenic acid was superior to linoleic in stimulating growth and improving feed conversion. The requirement of linolenic acid (ω3 fatty acids) for rainbow trout is 1% of the diet or approximately 2.7% of the dietary calories. Essential fatty acid deficiency symptoms that were cured or prevented by linolenic acid included fin erosion, heart myopathy, and a shock syndrome. It is concluded that linolenic acid has an essential role in rainbow trout similar to that assigned to linoleic acid in man and higher animals.

Nicotine hydrogen tartrate: effect on essential fatty acid deficiency in mature pigs.

Nicotine (as the acid tartrate) prevented the development of essential fatty acid deficiency symptoms in animals receiving a linoleate deficient diet.

Nicotine Hydrogen Tartrate: Effect on Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency in Mature Pigs

Nicotine (as the acid tartrate) prevented the development of essential fatty acid deficiency symptoms in animals receiving a linoleate-deficient diet.

Influence of sex and gonadal hormones on rat-liver and carcass lipids during the development of an essential fatty acid deficiency

1. Groups of intact male and female rats and castrated rats injected with oestradiol or testosterone were given a diet containing hydrogenated coconut oil for 9 weeks, and at intervals the amounts and fatty acid compositions of the carcass and liver lipids were determined. 2. Male rats grew faster and larger, and exhibited typical external essential fatty acid deficiency symptoms sooner than did females. Testosterone-treated castrated male rats were similar to males, and oestradiol-injected castrated male rats resembled females. 3. Intact females maintained a higher linoleic acid concentration in their carcass than did males. Total amounts of carcass linoleic acid remained similar for all groups, only 200mg. being removed in 9 weeks regardless of body size. 4. The amounts of total cholesteryl esters were independent of liver size. They were higher in males and testosterone-treated castrated male rats than in females and oestrogen-treated castrated male rats. 5. Phospholipids represented about 80% of the liver lipids. The total amounts of the phospholipid linoleic acid and arachidonic acid were similar for all groups regardless of liver size, and were not affected appreciably by the deficiency. Females and oestrogen-treated castrated male rats maintained a higher proportion of phospholipid arachidonic acid for longer periods than did their male counterparts. Both the total amounts and the proportions of eicosatrienoic acid and palmitic acid were higher in males than in females. 6. Supplementation of the essential fatty acid-deficient diet with linoleic acid caused a rapid loss of eicosatrienoic acid and palmitic acid with a concomitant increase in stearic acid and arachidonic acid. 7. There were no obvious differences in the way that the essential fatty acids were metabolized or mobilized from adipose tissue of male or female rats during essential fatty acid deficiency. 8. The results indicated that the greater growth rate of the male rats caused them to require and synthesize more phospholipids than did the females. In the absence of adequate amounts of arachidonic acid, eicosatrienoic acid was substituted into the additional phospholipid. The earlier symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency in the male rat could therefore be ascribed to the higher tissue concentrations of this unnatural phospholipid and its inability to perform the normal metabolic functions of phospholipids.

Dietary and gonadal hormone effects on lipid metabolism in the rat

Hepatic cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid concentrations, plasma cholesterol levels, cholesterol biosynthesis, and fatty acid patterns in plasma lipids and liver lipid fractions, have been studied in intact, gonadectomized, and hormone-treated gonadectomized male and female rats fed a fat-free diet, a control diet containing fat, and a diet containing cholesterol, to determine relationships between diet, sex hormones, and lipid metabolism. Both estradiol benzoate and testosterone propionate affected lipid metabolism; in general, the estrogenic influence was more pronounced and more predictable. The greatest effects were found in animals fed the essential fatty acid-deficient diet (a sex difference in susceptibility to essential fatty acid deficiency has previously been reported). It is concluded that the effect of estrogenic deficiency on lipid metabolism includes: (a) decreased hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis; (b) increased hepatic sterol ester and decreased phospholipid concentration; (c) increased depletion of unsaturated fatty acid in plasma and liver during essential fatty acid deficiency; and (d) increase in severity of essential fatty acid deficiency symptoms, using as criteria the ratios of trienoic to tetraenoic fatty acids in plasma and liver lipids.

Production of Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency Symptoms in the Mature Rat.

Summary1. Mature rats were maintained on a fat free diet for relatively long periods without showing any deficiency symptoms except emaciation.2. Severe depletion followed by ad libitum feeding of the fat free diet precipitated in mature rats symptoms including those typical of essential fatty acid deficiency.3. This method is suggested for other types of experiments where a “strain” on body functions is desired.4. Either ethyl linoleate or corn oil prevented entirely or cured rapidly the symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency when they appeared.5. When the rats, after depletion, were maintained on the fat free diet ad libitum for sufficiently long periods, spontaneous disappearance of all the symptoms was observed, for which the explanation of some synthesis of essential fatty acid is suggested.