Higher Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Research Articles

Effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids intake on the occurrence of current asthma among children and adolescents exposed to tobacco smoke: NHANES 2007–2018

BackgroundAsthma is an airway inflammatory disease driven by multiple factors with a high incidence in children and adolescents. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) and diet are inducing factors for asthma. The potential of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to alleviate asthma symptoms by their anti-inflammatory effects has been explored. However, to date, no studies have explored the effect of dietary PUFAs intake on the asthma in children and adolescents exposed to tobacco smoke.ObjectiveWe aimed to examine the effect of dietary PUFAs intake on the current asthma in children and adolescents exposed to tobacco smoke.MethodsData of this cross-sectional were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2018. Children and adolescents with serum cotinine concentration ≥ 0.05 ng/mL were defined to exposed to tobacco smoke. Dietary PUFAs intake information were obtained from 24 h recall interview. The weighted univariate and multivariate were utilized to explore the effect of PUFAs on the association of asthma and TSE, with adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). These moderating effects were further explored based on the age, gender and body mass index (BMI) and sedentary time.ResultsTotally, 7981 eligible children and adolescents were included, with the mean age of 11.96 ± 0.06 years old. Of whom, 1.024 (12.83%) had current asthma. After adjusted all covariates, we found children and adolescents with TSE had high occurrence of current asthma (AOR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.03–1.63); We also found omega-3 PUFAs intake (P for interaction = 0.010), not omega-6 PUFAs (P for interaction = 0.546), has a moderating effect on the association of TSE and current asthma. Moreover, we further observed that children and adolescents with TSE and low omega-3 PUFAs intake had high occurrence of current asthma (AOR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.19–2.10), while no significant association was found in children and adolescents with high omega-3 PUFAs intake (all P > 0.05). This moderating effect was more prominent in children and adolescents aged ≤ 12 years old (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.06–2.47), girls (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI 1.15–3.98), overweight (AOR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.01–3.47) and sedentary time > 6 h (AOR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.00–3.86).ConclusionWe found dietary omega-3 PUFAs plays a moderating effect on the association of asthma and TSE in children and adolescents, especially in children and adolescents aged ≤ 12 years, girls, overweight or sedentary time > 6 h. This moderating effect suggested higher omega-3 intake has potential benefits in decreasing the occurrence of asthma in children and adolescents who exposed to tobacco smoke.

Co-exposure to 55 endocrine-disrupting chemicals linking diminished sperm quality: Mixture effect, and the role of seminal plasma docosapentaenoic acid

Isolated effects of single endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on male reproductive health have been studied extensively, but their mixture effect remains unelucidated. Previous research has suggested that consuming diet enriched in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) might be beneficial for reproductive health, whether omega-3 PUFA could moderate the effect of EDCs mixture on semen quality remains to be explored. In this study of 155 male recruited from a reproductive health center in China, we used targeted-exposomics to simultaneously measure 55 EDCs in the urine for exposure burden. Regression analyses were restricted to highly detected EDCs (≥55%, n = 34), and those with consistently elevated risk were further screened and brought into mixture effect models (Bisphenol A, ethyl paraben, methyl paraben [MeP], benzophenone-1 [BP1], benzophenone-3, mono(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate [MCPP]). Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) and quantile-based g-computation (QGC) models demonstrated that co-exposure to top-ranked EDCs was related to reduced sperm total (β = −0.18, 95%CI: −0.29 – −0.07, P = 0.002) and progressive motility (β = −0.27, 95%CI: −0.43 – −0.10, P = 0.002), but not to lower semen volume. BP1, MeP and MCPP were identified as the main effect driver for deteriorated sperm motion parameters using mixture model analyses. Seminal plasma fatty acid profiling showed that high omega-3 PUFA status, notably elevated docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, C22:5n-3) status, moderated the association between MCPP and sperm motion parameters (total motility: β = 0.26, 95%CI: 0.01 – −0.51, Pinteraction = 0.047; progressive motility: β = 0.64, 95%CI: 0.23 – 1.05, Pinteraction = 0.003). Co-exposure to a range of EDCs is mainly associated with deteriorated sperm quality, but to a lesser extent on sperm quantity, high seminal plasma DPA status might be protective against the effect. Our work emphasizes the importance of exposomic approach to assess chemical exposures and highlighted a new possible intervention target for mitigating the potential adverse effect of EDCs on semen quality.

Nutritional and immunological evaluation of Nannochloropsis oculata as a potential Nile tilapia-aquafeed supplement

Nannochloropsis oculata (N. oculata) is a marine microalga containing bioactive compounds and a high omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFAs). Therefore, it is very promising for nutraceutical and the functional food industry applications. Three groups of Nile tilapia (forty-five fish/group) were fed on basal diets or diets containing 5% (N5) or 10% (N10) of the microalga N. oculata for seven weeks. Fish growth performance, proximate composition, and lipid (fatty acids/ FAs and lipoproteins) profile were estimated. In addition, the expression pattern of some lipid metabolism and immune-relevant genes were assessed. An enhancement in whole body crude protein and growth indices of Nile tilapia was observed on both the supplemented groups N5 and N10. Higher levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL); and lower levels of the low-density lipoproteins (LDL) were evident in both supplemented groups, while the cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) levels were similar among groups. Ω-3 PUFAs were the significant FAs profile of tilapia fed on N. oculata-supplemented diets in terms of eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and n3/n6 ratio. Concerning the gene expression pattern, heat-shock protein70, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were elevated significantly in both supplemented groups. IL-10 is only upregulated in the N10 group. The lipid metabolism-related gene expression showed downregulation of only fatty acid synthase (FAS) in both supplemented groups, with no statistical changes in Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and the apoptotic related genes [caspase3 and Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)] showed insignificant changes among groups. The histopathological examination of the intestine, liver, and spleen supports our findings and confirms the benefits and safeness of N. oculata dietary inclusion. Collectively, N. oculata is a very promising nutraceutical for improving fish health and sustainability of aquaculture production.Graphical

The Inhibitory Effects of Hydroxytyrosol, α-Tocopherol and Ascorbyl Palmitate on Lipid Peroxidation in Deep-Fat Fried Seafood.

This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of hydroxytyrosol, α-tocopherol and ascorbyl palmitate on lipid peroxidation in squid, hoki and prawn during deep-fat frying and refrigerated storage. Fatty acid analysis using gas chromatography (GC) showed that the seafood had a high omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFAs) content, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The total content of n-3 fatty acids in their lipids was 46% (squid), 36% (hoki) and 33% (prawn), although they all had low lipid contents. The oxidation stability test results showed that deep-fat frying significantly increased the peroxide value (POV), p-anisidine value (p-AV) and the value of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in squid, hoki and prawn lipids. Meanwhile, antioxidants delayed the lipid oxidation in fried seafood and sunflower oil (SFO) used for frying, albeit in different ways. The least effective of all the antioxidants was α-tocopherol, as the POV, p-AV and TBARS values obtained with this antioxidant were significantly higher. Ascorbyl palmitate was better than α-tocopherol but was not as effective as hydroxytyrosol in suppressing lipid oxidation in the frying medium (SFO) and in the seafood. However, unlike the ascorbyl palmitate-treated oil, hydroxytyrosol-treated oil could not be used for multiple deep-fat frying of seafood. Hydroxytyrosol appeared to be absorbed in the seafood during multiple frying, thus leaving a low concentration in the SFO and making it susceptible to oxidation.

Attention to the Details: How Variations in U.S. Grass-Fed Cattle-Feed Supplementation and Finishing Date Influence Human Health

As the global population increases, so does meat consumption. This trend is accompanied by concerns regarding the meat industry, and consumers are demanding transparency on the environmental and health effects of the products they are purchasing. Many leading health organizations recommend reducing red meat consumption. Nevertheless, no differentiation is made among red meats and beef. The beef production system is generally ignored despite nutritional differences between grain- and grass-fed beef. Compared to grain-fed beef, grass-fed beef contains a healthier fatty acid profile, including more omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid, and increased concentrations of phytochemicals desired by health-conscious customers. However, there is a lack of consistency among grass-fed beef in the United States regarding clear product labeling and cattle dietary components. Grass-fed beef labeling confusion has emerged, including misunderstandings between grass-fed and grass-finished beef. Along with this, previous studies observed significant nutritional variation among grass-finished beef from different producers across the country. Cattle diet has the strongest influence on the nutritional composition of beef. Therefore, understanding differences in feeding practices is key to understanding differing nutritional quality of grass-fed beef. Feeding cattle diverse pastures composed of multiple plant species including grasses and legumes managed in a rotational grazing fashion results in higher omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and phytochemical levels in beef compared to feedlots and monocultures. Seasonal differences including changes in temperature, rainfall, grazing practices, and plant growth cycles affect the nutritional composition of feeds and ultimately meat. Additional feeds utilized in grass-fed beef production systems such as conserved forages may reduce or increase health-promoting nutrients in grass-fed beef, while supplements such as grape byproducts and flaxseed may improve its nutritional profile. Further research should measure the effects of individual feedstuff and the finishing period on the nutritional profile on grass-fed beef. A better understanding of these details will be a step toward the standardization of pasture-raised ruminant products, strengthening the relationship between grass-fed beef consumption and human health.

Fatty acid desaturase genetic variations and dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake associate with arterial stiffness.

AimsLong-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) generate diverse bioactive lipid mediators, which tightly regulate vascular inflammation. The effects of omega-3 PUFA supplementation in cardiovascular prevention however remain controversial. In addition to direct dietary intake, fatty acid desaturases (FADS) determine PUFA levels. Increased arterial stiffness represents an independent predictor of mortality and cardiovascular events. The aim of the present study was to determine the association of PUFA intake, FADS1 genotype, and FADS expression with arterial stiffness.Methods and resultsA cross-sectional population-based cohort study of 1464 participants without overt cardiovascular disease was conducted. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Arterial stiffness was assessed by carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), and the FADS1 locus variant was determined. Blood cell transcriptomics was performed in a subset of 410 individuals. Pulse wave velocity was significantly associated with the FADS1 locus variant. Differential associations between PWV and omega-3 PUFA intake were observed depending on the FADS1 genotype. High omega-3 PUFA intake attenuated the FADS1 genotype-dependent associations. Carriers of the minor FADS1 locus variant exhibited increased expression of FADS2, which is associated with PWV.ConclusionTaken together, these findings point to FADS1 genotype-dependent associations of omega-3 PUFA intake on subclinical cardiovascular disease. These findings may have implications for identifying responders and non-responders to omega-3 PUFA supplementation and open up for personalized dietary counselling in cardiovascular prevention.

Fast-Tracking Isolation, Identification and Characterization of New Microalgae for Nutraceutical and Feed Applications

Microalgae contain high-value biochemical compounds including fatty acids (FA), protein and carotenoids, and are promising bioresources to enhance nutrition of food and animal feed. Important requirements for commercial strains are rapid growth and high productivities of desirable compounds. As these traits are believed to be found in aquatic environments with fluctuating conditions, we collected microalgae from marine and freshwater environments that are subjected to eutrophication and/or tidal fluctuations. Using this directed approach, 40 monoalgal cultures were isolated and 25 identified through 18S rDNA sequencing and morphological characterization. Based on their high growth rates (0.28–0.60 day−1) and biomass productivities (0.25–0.44 g L−1 day−1) in commercial fertilizer under standardized conditions, six new strains were selected. Scenedesmus sp. GW63 produced quality FA-rich biomass with high omega-3 polyunsaturated FA (28.5% of total FA (TFA)) contents, especially α-linolenic acid (ALA; 20.0% of TFA) with a very low n-6/n-3 ratio (0.4), and high FA productivity (32.6 mg L−1 day−1). A high protein productivity (34.5 mg L−1 day−1) made Desmodesmus sp. UQL1_26 (33.4% of dry weight (DW)) attractive as potential protein-rich feed and nutrition supplement. Monoraphidium convolutum GW5 displayed valuable carotenoid production (0.8% DW) with high carotenoid accumulation capability (0.8 mg L−1 day−1). This research provides a pathway for fast-tracking the selection of high-performing local microalgae from different environments for nutraceuticals, functional foods and animal feed applications.

Antioxidant potential of non-modified and glycated soy proteins in the continuous phase of oil-in-water emulsions

Food emulsions with a high omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content are desirable from a nutritional point of view. However, such products are particularly prone to lipid oxidation and have thus a limited shelf-life. The use of natural antioxidants is a promising and consumer-oriented strategy to counteract lipid oxidation. The addition of an excess of proteins to the continuous phase may be considered in that respect.Starting emulsions were prepared with either Tween 20 (a nonionic surfactant) or whey protein isolate (WPI). They were then supplemented with non-modified or dextran-glycated soy protein isolate (SPI) added to the continuous phase. As controls, emulsions with excess WPI or unreacted SPI/dextran mixture were also prepared. The addition of these compounds did not significantly affect the physical stability of emulsions, while the lipid oxidation inhibition capacity was, starting from the highest, in the order glycated SPI mixture ≈ SPI/dextran mixture > SPI > WPI. This suggests that SPI ingredients and dextran hold potential for mitigating lipid oxidation in emulsions. The antioxidant mechanisms involved include iron-binding and free radical-scavenging activities; the former effect is predominant by preventing transition metals from approaching the oil-water interface. Furthermore, compared to WPI-stabilized emulsions, the antioxidant potential of excess proteins is boosted in Tween 20-stabilized emulsions. Interaction of surfactants with proteins could lead to a conformational change of proteins, which could increase their ability to bind molecules involved in the reaction cascade. This study shows that it is possible to tune emulsions towards greater oxidative stability by adjusting protein localization and continuous phase composition, which reduces the need for synthetic antioxidants.

1371-P: Effect of Omega-3 Supplementation in Pregnant Women with Obesity on Offspring Growth and Body Composition

Background: Maternal obesity is a growing health burden associated with adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes in the offspring. Higher omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3 PUFA) status in pregnancy is associated with higher birthweight. However, the effect of n3 supplementation, specifically in pregnant women with overweight and obesity, on fetal growth and adiposity has not been explored. Objective: To examine the effect of n-3 supplementation in overweight and obese pregnancy on offspring anthropometry and body composition. Methods: A secondary analysis of a double-blind randomized controlled trial of pregnant women with pre-pregnancy BMI≥ 25 randomized to daily DHA plus EPA (2 g/d) or placebo (wheat germ oil) from 10-16 weeks gestation to delivery. We compared the following newborn outcomes i) birthweight z-score derived from anthropometrics, ii) % adiposity, fat-mass and fat-free mass using PeaPodTM and skin fold thickness measurement, by randomization group using Student T-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum for bivariate analyses, and linear regression adjusting for gestational age (GA) and sex. Results: For the 46 mother-child dyads with complete exposure and outcome data, median (IQR) maternal BMI was 30.2 (27.9, 35.5) kg/m2. Gestation was longer in the treatment vs. placebo group (40 (38.6,40.1) vs. 38.9 (38.0,39.4) weeks, p=0.009). Sex- and GA- specific birthweight z-score (-0.2 ± 0.7 vs. -0.6 ± 0.6-unit, p =0.035), but not birth length z-score (-0.3 ± 0.7 vs. -0.6 ± 0.6-unit, p =0.21), was higher in the treatment vs. placebo group. N-3 treatment was associated with higher fat-free mass (β 131.4g higher for treatment vs. control, 95% CI 3.1, 259.7) by skinfolds but not %bodyfat or fat mass at birth. Conclusion: n-3 supplementation early in pregnancy in women with obesity increased birthweight, but this results from increased fetal lean mass accrual. Future investigations should explore the long-term impact of this intervention on offspring cardiometabolic health. Disclosure C. Monthe-Dreze: None. S. Enstad: None. S. Sen: None. S. Hauguel de Mouzon: None. P. Catalano: None. Funding National Institutes of Health (RHD057236); Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Clinic Clinical and Translational Science Award (UL1RR024989)

Fatty Acid Mediators in the Tumor Microenvironment.

Patients with cancer frequently overexpress inflammatory cytokines with an associated neutrophilia both of which may be downregulated by diets with high omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA). The anti-inflammatory activity of dietary ω-3 PUFA has been suggested to have anticancer properties and to improve survival of cancer patients. Currently, the majority of dietary research efforts do not differentiate between obesity and dietary fatty acid consumption as mediators of inflammatory cell expansion and tumor microenvironmental infiltration, initiation, and progression. In this chapter, we discuss the relationships between dietary lipids, inflammation, neoplasia and strategies to regulate these relationships. We posit that dietary composition, notably the ratio of ω-3 vs. ω-6 PUFA, regulates tumor initiation and progression and the frequency and sites of metastasis that, together, impact overall survival (OS). We focus on three broad topics: first, the role of dietary lipids in chronic inflammation and tumor initiation, progression, and regression; second, lipid mediators linking inflammation and cancer; and third, dietary lipid regulation of murine and human tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis.

Accretion of Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid in Mouse Tissues Did Not Differ between Its Purified Phospholipid and Triacylglycerol Forms.

Recent studies suggest that dietary krill oil leads to higher omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) tissue accretion compared to fish oil because the former is rich in n-3 PUFA esterified as phospholipids (PL), while n-3 PUFA in fish oil are primarily esterified as triacylglycerols (TAG). Tissue accretion of the same dietary concentrations of PL- and TAG-docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) (DHA) has not been compared and was the focus of this study. Mice (n = 12/group) were fed either a control diet or one of six DHA (1%, 2%, or 4%) as PL-DHA or TAG-DHA diets for 4 weeks. Compared with the control, DHA concentration in liver, adipose tissue (AT), heart, and eye, but not brain, were significantly higher in mice consuming either PL- or TAG-DHA, but there was no difference in DHA concentration in all tissues between the PL- or TAG-DHA forms. Consumption of PL- and TAG-DHA at all concentrations significantly elevated eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) (EPA) in all tissues when compared with the control group, while docoshexapentaenoic acid (22:5n-6) (DPA) was significantly higher in all tissues except for the eye and heart. Both DHA forms lowered total omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) in all tissues and total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in the liver and AT; total saturated fatty acid (SFA) were lowered in the liver but elevated in the AT. An increase in the DHA dose, independent of DHA forms, significantly lowered n-6 PUFA and significantly elevated n-3 PUFA concentration in all tissues. Our results do not support the claim that the PL form of n-3 PUFA leads to higher n-3 PUFA tissue accretion than their TAG form.

Proximate composition and micronutrient profile of different size groups of hilsa Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) from river Ganga

The Indian shad hilsa, Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) is an important food fish in South-east Asian countries. The fish is rich in oil and known for its high omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content; however information available on the micronutrient profile of this commercially important food fish is limited. The present study investigated the detailed micronutrient profile (mineral and fat soluble vitamins) of different size groups of hilsa. Proximate composition analysis revealed that besides being rich in crude fat (7.91-14.61%), the protein content of this fish is also very high (19.44-21.86%). The macro-minerals potassium, calcium and micro-minerals iron, zinc and the fat soluble vitamins A and E are the dominant micronutrients in different size groups of hilsa. Comparative nutritional evaluation of different size groups of hilsa showed that medium size fish is nutritionally superior to both small and large size groups.

High Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in fat-1 Mice Reduce Inflammatory Pain.

Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as α-linolenic and linoleic acids, are essential fatty acids in mammals, because they cannot be synthesized de novo. However, fat-1 transgenic mice can synthesize omega-3 PUFAs from omega-6 PUFAs without dietary supplementation of omega-3, leading to abundant omega-3 PUFA accumulation in various tissues. In this study, we used fat-1 transgenic mice to investigate the role of omega-3 PUFAs in response to inflammatory pain. A high omega-3 PUFA tissue content attenuated formalin-induced pain sensitivity, microglial activation, inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, and the phosphorylation of NR2B, a subunit of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Our findings suggest that elevated omega-3 PUFA levels inhibit NMDA receptor activity in the spinal dorsal horn and modulate inflammatory pain transmission by regulating signal transmission at the spinal dorsal horn, leading to the attenuation of chemically induced inflammatory pain.

Linoleic acid attenuates cardioprotection induced by resolvin D1

We previously observed that resolvin D1 (RvD1), a metabolite of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) docosahexaenoic acid, reduces infarct size by a mechanism involving the PI3-K/Akt pathway. In parallel, the beneficial effect of a high omega-3 PUFA diet on infarct size can be attenuated by increased omega-6 PUFA consumption. The present study was designed to determine if augmented linoleic acid (LA), an omega-6 PUFA administered at the same time, attenuates the cardioprotective action of RvD1.Male Sprague–Dawley rats received 0.1μg RvD1 alone or with one of three LA doses (1, 5 or 10μg) directly into the left ventricle chamber 5min before ischemia. The animals underwent 40min of ischemia by occlusion of the left descending coronary artery followed by 30min or 24h of reperfusion. Infarct size and neutrophil accumulation were evaluated after 24h of reperfusion, while caspase-3, -8 and -9 and Akt activities were assessed at 30min of reperfusion.LA attenuated cardioprotection afforded by RvD1, resulting in significantly increased infarct size. Neutrophil accumulation and Akt activity were similar between groups. Caspase activities, especially caspase-9, which could be activated by ischemia, were stimulated in the presence of LA, suggesting that this omega-6 PUFA accentuates ischemia intensity.The present results indicate that LA significantly attenuates the beneficial effect of RvD1 on infarct size. Therefore, reduction of omega-6 intake should be considered to maintain the protection afforded by RvD1.

Transcriptomic Analysis of the Effects of a Fish Oil Enriched Diet on Murine Brains

The health benefits of fish oil enriched with high omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are widely documented. Fish oil as dietary supplements, however, show moderate clinical efficacy, highlighting an immediate scope of systematic in vitro feedback. Our transcriptomic study was designed to investigate the genomic shift of murine brains fed on fish oil enriched diets. A customized fish oil enriched diet (FD) and standard lab diet (SD) were separately administered to two randomly chosen populations of C57BL/6J mice from their weaning age until late adolescence. Statistical analysis mined 1,142 genes of interest (GOI) differentially altered in the hemibrains collected from the FD- and SD-fed mice at the age of five months. The majority of identified GOI (∼40%) encodes proteins located in the plasma membrane, suggesting that fish oil primarily facilitated the membrane-oriented biofunctions. FD potentially augmented the nervous system's development and functions by selectively stimulating the Src-mediated calcium-induced growth cascade and the downstream PI3K-AKT-PKC pathways. FD reduced the amyloidal burden, attenuated oxidative stress, and assisted in somatostatin activation—the signatures of attenuation of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and affective disorder. FD induced elevation of FKBP5 and suppression of BDNF, which are often linked with the improvement of anxiety disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Hence we anticipate efficacy of FD in treating illnesses such as depression that are typically triggered by the hypoactivities of dopaminergic, adrenergic, cholinergic, and GABAergic networks. Contrastingly, FD's efficacy could be compromised in treating illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, which are triggered by hyperactivities of the same set of neuromodulators. A more comprehensive investigation is recommended to elucidate the implications of fish oil on disease pathomechanisms, and the result-driven repositioning of fish oil utilization may revitalize its therapeutic efficacy.

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Physical Performance Optimization

Increased muscle oxidative stress and inflammatory responses among athletes have been reported consistently. In addition, it is well known that exhaustive or unaccustomed exercise can lead to muscle fatigue, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and a decrement in performance. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to decrease the production of inflammatory eicosanoids, cytokines, and reactive oxygen species; have immunomodulatory effects; and attenuate inflammatory diseases. While a number of studies have assessed the efficacy of omega-3 PUFA supplementation on red blood cell deformability, muscle damage, inflammation, and metabolism during exercise, only a few have evaluated the impact of omega-3 PUFA supplementation on exercise performance. It has been suggested that the ingestion of EPA and DHA of approximately 1-2 g/d, at a ratio of EPA to DHA of 2:1, may be beneficial in counteracting exercise-induced inflammation and for the overall athlete health. However, the human data are inconclusive as to whether omega-3 PUFA supplementation at this dosage is effective in attenuating the inflammatory and immunomodulatory response to exercise and improving exercise performance. Thus, attempts should be made to establish an optimal omega-3 fatty-acid dosage to maximize the risk-to-reward ratio of supplementation. It should be noted that high omega-3 PUFA consumption may lead to immunosuppression and prolong bleeding time. Future studies investigating the efficacy of omega-3 PUFA supplementation in exercise-trained individuals should consider using an exercise protocol of sufficient duration and intensity to produce a more robust oxidative and inflammatory response.

Evaluating Potential Therapies in a Mouse Model of Focal Retinal Degeneration with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)-Like Lesions

Although the mouse has no macula leutea, its neuroretina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) can develop lesions mimicking certain features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Differences between the Ccl2 and Cx3cr1 double deficient mouse on Crb1rd8(rd8) background (DKOrd8) and the Crb1rd8 mouse in photoreceptor and RPE pathology, as well as ocularA2E contents and immune responses, show that DKOrd8 recapitulates some human AMD-like features in addition to rd8 retinal dystrophy/degeneration. Different therapeutic interventions have been demonstrated to be effective on the AMD-like features of DKOrd8 mice. The use of the DKOrd8 model and C57BL/6N (wild type, WT) mice as group controls (4 groups) to test treatments such as high omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3) diet has, for example, shown the beneficial effect of n-3 on AMD-like lesions by anti-inflammatory action of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The use of self-control in the DKOrd8 mouse by treating one eye and using the contralateral eye as the control for the same mouse allows for appropriate interventional experiments and evaluates various novel therapeutic agents. Three examples will be briefly presented and discussed: (1) tumor necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 recombinant protein (TSG-6) arrests the AMD-like lesions via modulation of ocular immunological gene expression, e.g., Il-17a; (2) adeno-associated virus encoding sIL-17R (AAV2.sIL17R) stabilizes the AMD-like lesions; and (3) pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) ameliorates the AMD-lesions by its anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective roles. Therefore, the DKOrd8 mouse model can be useful and appropriate for therapeutic compound screening in the management of human AMD.

Betaine Protects Chronic Alcohol and ω‐3 PUFA‐Mediated Down‐Regulations of PON1 Gene, Serum PON1 and Homocysteine Thiolactonase Activities With Restoration of Liver GSH

Paraoxonase (PON1) is an antioxidant enzyme that prevents LDL oxidation as well as detoxifies homocysteine thiolactone (HCTL), both of which can cause atherosclerosis. Chronic alcohol (ETOH) and high omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFA) consumption may affect PON1 status presumably via reactive oxygen species by depleting liver glutathione (GSH), whereas betaine may counter their effects. Therefore, we investigated the influence of ETOH, omega-3 PUFA, and betaine on liver GSH, PON1 expression, lipid score, as well as serum PON1 and HCTLase activities. Experimental rats belonging to various dietary groups were pair-fed with Lieber-DeCarli low (2.8% the dietary calories as omega3-fatty acids) and high (13.8% the dietary calories as omega3-fatty acids) menhaden fish alcohol-liquid diets with and without betaine (10 g/l diet) for 8 weeks after which liver PON1 mRNA, GSH, lipid score, and serum PON1, HCTLase, and ALT activities were measured. High omega-3 PUFA decreased liver PON1 mRNA expression, serum PON1, and HCTLase activity by 23% (p < 0.01), 20% (p < 0.05), and 28% (p < 0.05), respectively compared to the low omega-3 PUFA group. ETOH decreased PON1 mRNA expression by 25 and 30% (p < 0.01) with concomitant 27% (p < 0.05) and 38% (p < 0.01), decrease in liver GSH levels in low and high omega-3 PUFA groups, respectively. Correspondingly, serum PON1 activity decreased by 23% (p < 0.05) and 58% (p < 0.01) while serum HCTLase activity decreased by 25% (p < 0.05) and 59% (p < 0.01) in the low and high omega-3 PUFA ETOH groups, respectively. Betaine restored liver PON1 mRNA expressions in low and high omega-3 PUFA ETOH groups with parallel restorations of PON1 activity and liver GSH. Concomitantly, betaine reduced hepatosteatosis accompanied by alleviation of liver injury caused by chronic alcohol and high omega-3 PUFA. Based on these results, we conclude that dietary betaine not only atheroprotective by restoring liver GSH that quenches free radicals, but also may alleviate liver injury by reducing hepatosteatosis.

Acides gras oméga-3 alimentaires et neuropsychiatrie

Omega-3 fatty acids participated in the first coherent experimental demonstration of the effect of dietary substances (nutrients) on the structure and function of the brain. Experiments were first of all carried out on ex-vivo cultured brain cells, then on in vivo brain cells, finally on physiochemical, biochemical, physiological, neurosensory, and behavioural parameters. These findings indicated that the nature of polyunsaturated fatty acids (in particular omega-3) present in formula milks for infants (both premature and term) determines the visual, cerebral, and intellectual abilities, as described in a recent review in OCL [1]. In view of the high omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content of the brain, it is evident that these fats are involved in brain biochemistry, physiology and functionning; and thus in some neuropsychiatric diseases and in the cognitive decline of ageing. Though omega-3 fatty acids appear effective in the prevention of stress, their role as regulator of mood and libido is a matter for discussion pending experimental proof in animal and human models. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids could play a role in the prevention of some disorders including depression, as well as in dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Their direct role in major depression and bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disease) and schizophrenia is not yet established. Their deficiency can prevent the renewal of membranes, and thus accelerate cerebral ageing; nonetheless, the respective roles of the vascular component on one hand (where the omega-3’s are active) and the cerebral parenchyma itself on the other, have not yet been clearly resolved. The role of omega-3 in certain diseases such as dyslexia and autism is suggested. The role of omega-3 in certain diseases such as dyslexia, autism, and schizophrenia seems to suggest a problem of diet. Indeed, the insufficient dietary supply of omega-3 fatty acids in today’s French diet raises the problem of how to correct dietary habits so that the consumer will select foods that are genuinely rich in omega-3/the omega-3 family; mainly rapeseed and walnut oils on one hand and fatty fish on the other.