Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids Research Articles

Comparative milk metabolite profiling for exploring superiority of indigenous Indian cow milk over exotic and crossbred counterparts.

This study was planned to identify differences in the milk metabolite composition of Indian (Sahiwal), exotic (Holstein-Friesian) and their crossbred cows in intensive system of management. To mimic the management system of ancient India, indigenous cattle under extensive system (zero input) were also included. Holstein-Friesian (HF) had significantly higher amount of saturated fatty acids (SFA, 76.3%) as compared to the crossbred (73.3%) and Sahiwal (68.0%). HF had the highest concentration (42.7%) of hypercholesterolemic fatty acids and the maximum value (68.5) of athrogenecity index (AI). Sahiwal had the highest proportion (32.1%) of total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA). Mineral, vitamin, n-3 fatty acids and total amount of essential amino acids did not vary across the three groups. Milk of indigenous cattle maintained only on grazing had more favorable nutrient profile. It had low SFA (61.4%), high UFA (38.6%) and higher concentrations of both monounsaturated fatty acids (31.4%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (7.2%). The n-6/n-3 ratio (2.7) and the AI (33.9) were significantly lower. Significantly higher concentrations of minerals (Zn, Fe, P and Cu) and vitamins except vitamin B5 were recorded in their milk. The study revealed that milk metabolite characteristics can be used to promote indigenous cattle.

Genomewide association study for economic traits in the large yellow croaker with different numbers of extreme phenotypes

A traditional genomewide association study (GWAS) detects genotype-phenotype associations by the vast number of genotyped individuals. This method requires large-scale samples and considerable sequencing costs. Extreme phenotypic sampling proposes make GWAS more cost-efficient and are applied more widely. With extreme phenotypic sampling, we performed a GWAS for n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) and eviscerated weight (EW) traits in the large yellowcroaker population. Of the 32,249 and 29,748 detected SNPs for the two traits, three candidate regions were found in each trait. Three candidate regions associated with HUFA were known near genes on chromosomes 4 and 11, and three candidate regions were on chromosome 6, and 15 for the EW trait. By combing through our GWAS results and the biological functional analysis of the genes, we suggest that the FABP, DGAT, ATP8B1, FAF2 and CERS2 genes, as well as the IGF2, BORA, CYP1A1, GRTP1 and HOX genes are promising candidate genes for n-3 HUFA and EW, respectively, in the large yellow croaker.Moreover, compared with the different numbers of the extreme phenotypic sampling, we conclude that 60% of the extreme phenotypic subsample can obtain a similar result as GWAS with whole phenotypes. Thus, extreme phenotypic sampling could save 40% of the cost for genotyping and DNA extraction without loss of the candidate regions and functional genes. Our study may provide a basis for further genomic breeding and a reference for others who want to perform GWAS with extreme phenotypes.

Leaf fatty acid composition of some Lamiaceae taxa from Turkey

Fatty acids composition leaves of Satureja hortensis L., Satureja boissieri Hausskn ex Boiss., Thymus kotschyanus Boiss.& Hohen. var. glabrescens Boiss., Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. & Hohen. var. kotschyanus, Thymus hausknechtii Velen., Thymus pubescens Boiss. & Kotschy ex Celak var. pubescens, Thymus fallax Fisch & Mey, Origanum vulgare L. subsp. gracile and Origanum acutidens L., were analyzed by gas chromatography. The fatty acid composition of plants used to this study showed different saturated and unsaturated fatty acid concentrations. The main fatty acids found were Palmitic acid methyl ester (13.49-27.71%), Linoleic acid methyl ester (10.85-19.47%), and Linolenic acid methyl ester (40.68-56.53%); while other fatty acids were found in minor proportions. As a result, all taxa had the highest total unsaturated fatty acid amounts (39.05-73.19%) and the lowest total saturated fatty acid amounts (19.43-51.12%). The highest unsaturated fatty acid determined to Satureja hortensis (73.19%), the lowest to Thymus hausknechtii (39.05%). In this study, palmitic acid methyl ester was found the major saturated fatty acids in all studied taxa.

The effect of time-dependent protein restriction on growth factors, nonspecific immunity, body composition, fatty acids and amino acids in the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)

The effect of time-dependent protein restriction (PR) and refeeding were investigated on growth, body composition, fatty acids (FA), amino acids (AA) and nonspecific immune functions in the juvenile Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri; 75 ± 5 g). Test diets included: T1 (control) and T2 fish fed diets containing 400 and 300 g/kg protein respectively during the whole experimental period, T3 (every other day) and T4 (every other week) fish were fed diets containing 300 g/kg protein (PR) and refeeding with diet containing 400 g/kg protein respectively, and T5 fish fed a diet containing 300 g/kg protein for 3 weeks and a diet containing 400 g/kg protein for 5 weeks, were fed to the fish for 56 days by visual satiation. Unlike ration T2 and T5, feeding treatments of T3 and T4 showed an increase in fish growth and body composition (p < 0.05) and they were very close to the control group (p > 0.05). Regarding the fatty acid profile, although the percentage of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) declined significantly in the T2 and T5 groups, the saturated fatty acid (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) indicated no change among the treatments. In addition, the T2 and T5 groups demonstrated a reduction in essential amino acids (EAA) with a simultaneous increase in nonessential amino acids (NEAAs), which was significant from that of controls and other groups (p < 0.05). In terms of nonspecific immune parameters (serum lysozyme activity and alternate complement activity [ACH50]), treatment 3 has an appropriate result that did not have a significant difference with the control group (p > 0.05), but there was significant difference with other groups (p < 0.05). As a result, the T3 treatment can be used in sturgeon aquaculture practically without any negative impacts on biological or physiological indices.

Toward Precision Nutrition: Commercial Infant Formulas and Human Milk Compared for Stereospecific Distribution of Fatty Acids Using Metabolomics.

Precision nutrition and nutrimetabolomics are emerging omics technology applications in public health. In this context, the infant formula (IF) is a manufactured foodstuff that aims to match the composition of human milk (HM), especially the lipid profile. The IF manufacturers have achieved relative success in matching the predominant fatty acid (FAs) profiles, but the stereospecific structures of the triacylglycerides in HM require deeper analyses with system sciences. We employed NMR-based metabolomics to compare the lipid profiles of 12 commercial IF samples and 10 HM samples. Additionally, vegetables, fish, and microalgae oil as raw materials in IFs were also investigated to understand the lipid profile of IFs. We found that IF has significantly less saturated fatty acids (SFA), higher unsaturated FAs, and similar polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content, compared with HM. However, the main difference was the stereospecific distribution of FAs: HM samples were associated with a high content of SFAs in the sn-2 position (26.03% ± 2.93%) and PUFAs in the sn-1,3 position (15.35% ± 3.94%). The IF had the opposite distribution, with SFAs esterified mainly in the sn-1,3 position (33.07 ± 4.93%) and PUFAs in the sn-2 position (9.57% ± 7.05%). Consequently, the hydrolysis of HM results in SFA mainly as sn-2-monoacylglycerides, which are well absorbed. In contrast, the hydrolysis of the IF provided SFA, mainly as free FAs, which tend to bind calcium and form insoluble calcium soaps in the intestine. Taken together, these observations can inform optimal design of infant formulas with a view to precision nutrition.

Impact of Dietary Oil Source on the Shelf-Life of Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata)

ABSTRACTGilthead seabream were fed two diets containing 100% fish oil (FO) or a 75% vegetable oil blend (VO) (50/50 soybean and rapeseed oil) in order to study the effect on shelf life. The fish were stored at 4 ± 1ºC for 0, 7, 14, and 21 days. Physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory analyses were performed. The fatty acid composition of muscle reflected the profile of dietary lipids. A smaller quantity of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) in the VO group resulted in lower lipid oxidation. In this group, lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values were observed during the storage and an increase in saturated fatty acid (SFAs) occurred later than in the group FO. Higher water holding capacity (WHC) of muscle was also observed in the VO group. A higher redness (a* value) was observed in the VO group, although discoloration occurred with the same intensity in both groups. Despite the differences among groups observed in psychrophilic and Pseudomonas counts and in some sensory attributes, shelf-life was equal for both groups.

Development of fats based on olive oil by chemical interesterification and its utilization in cookie production

Refined olive oil (ROO) was blended with tristearin (TS) and palm oil (PO) at two different ratios (ROO:TS:PO; 75:15:10 and 85:10:5) and chemical interesterification was performed in order to produce two interesterified fats (IF1 and IF2) with high unsaturated fatty acids and low trans fatty acids contents. Solid fat content (SFC), slip melting point (SMP), and fatty acid composition were determined in IF1 and IF2; the values were compared to that of partially hydrogenated industrial cookie shortening (ICS). Higher SMP was measured in interesterified fats contaning 75% ROO (IF1) and lower SMP was obtained in interesterified fats containing 85% ROO (IF2). SFC values of interesterified ROO blended oils were lower than ICS. Interesterified fats were used for cookie production, and cookie quality parameters, including oxidation stability, were determined. Results showed that hardness values of cookies were not affected by fat types and higher spread ratios and lighter colors were obtained. IF1 and IF2 had higher total oxidation values as compared to ICS.

Green-filamentous macroalgae Chaetomorpha cf. gracilis from Cuban wetlands as a feedstock to produce alternative fuel: A physicochemical characterization

ABSTRACTThe excessive blooming of green filamentous macroalgae is a global problem due to their unwanted presence in freshwater, lakes, nursery garden and stagnant waters. An attractive solution is to use macroalgae as a biofuel feedstock. In this work, the macroalgae studied was the Chaetomorpha cf. gracilis. The macroalgae oil extraction was accomplished using Soxhlet method obtaining a yield of 1.85%. The gas chromatography analysis showed higher unsaturated fatty acids (56.14%) compared to saturated fatty acids (35.18%), highlighting the content of oleic acid, 27.89%. The kinematic viscosity and density were 0.826 mm2/s and 699.6 kg/m3, respectively. The heating value, crystallization temperature and elemental composition showed higher values than other algae oils. Nevertheless, the nitrogen content was similar to L.digitata macroalgae. The analysis conducted on the net energy ratio for the oil extraction process showed that the Chaetomorpha macroalgae oil might represent an attractive alternative for liquid biofuel production.

Variation of lipids and fatty acids composition in the tissues of wild devil stinger (Inimicus japonicas) during sexual maturation

The present study was conducted to characterize the lipid and fatty acid profiles in different tissues (gonad, liver and muscle) of the wild-caught devil stinger during sexual maturation. Wild-caught devil stinger were divided into six groups according to gonad development and gender. Total lipid content was up to 40% dry weight in liver and was significantly higher than in other tissues (ovary, testis and muscle) in both male and female stinger during sexual maturation. During maturation, total lipid content in the female stinger liver decreased, but in males significantly increased in all tissues. Higher proportions of neutral lipids (NL) were observed in the stinger liver, while polar lipids (PL) were mainly quantified in the gonad and muscle of both male and female stinger. The PL content of the ovary significantly decreased with sexual maturation, but NL were significantly increased. The fatty acids composition of the stinger broodstocks were tissue- and lipid class-specific. In the stinger gonad high-unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), such as ARA, DHA and EPA, are selectively transferred and conserved, indicating the crucial role of these fatty acids during sexual maturation of this fish species.

Comparative study on the chemical composition, anthocyanins, tocopherols and carotenoids of selected legumes

Twenty-nine legumes were assessed for their nutritional and phytochemical compositions. Soybean and black soybean had the highest protein contents (34.05–42.65 g/100 g DW, dry weight of legumes), particularly being a rich source of lysine (1.78–2.23 g/100 g DW. Soybean and black soybean had the highest fat contents (14.13–22.19 g/100 g DW). Broad beans had the highest unsaturated fatty acids (83.57–89.01 g/100 g fatty acid), particularly rich in α-linolenic and linoleic acid. The highest and the lowest dietary fiber were found in red kidney beans (35.36 g/100 g DW) and mung beans (22.77 g/100 g DW), respectively. Except for soybean and white kidney bean, 6 major anthocyanins in the legumes samples were identified. The soybean contained the highest total tocopherols content (90.40–120.96 μg/g dry weight of beans), followed by black soybean (66.13–100.76 μg/g DW). The highest carotenoids were found in lentils (4.53–21.34 μg/g DW) and red kidney beans (8.29–20.95 μg/g DW).

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Desaturase‐Mediated NAD+ Recycling Permits Ongoing Glycolysis and Cell Proliferation

The delta‐5 desaturase (D5D) and delta‐6 desaturase (D6D), encoded by FADS1 and FADS2 respectively, are required for the synthesis of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs). Genetic variants associated with FADS1 and FADS2 expression are associated with HUFA content in circulating lipids, as well as fasting glucose, height and weight, and risk of colon and laryngeal cancer. Why genetic variation in HUFA synthesis has such a broad impact on human metabolic and proliferative phenotypes is unknown. Here, we show that HUFA synthesis is a mechanism for cytosolic NAD+ recycling that permits ongoing glycolysis. Consistent with this, lowering the cytosolic NAD+/NADH ratio via inhibition of mitochondrial respiration increased D5D and D6D activity in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, increasing the cytosolic NAD+/NADH ratio via expression of an NADH oxidase or activation of lactate dehydrogenase decreased D5D and D6D activity. Increasing D5D and D6D expression increased cytosolic NAD+/NADH, whereas reduced expression or inhibition of D5D and D6D decreased cytosolic NAD+/NADH and increased lactate production. Inhibition of D5D and D6D also reduced cell proliferation, an effect that was reversed by boosting cytosolic NAD+ but not with HUFA end‐product supplementation. Finally, we show that the type 2 diabetes risk haplotype in SLC16A11, which reduces pyruvate transport, also increases D5D and D6D activity, demonstrating the relevance of our findings to human disease. These results outline a novel link between glycolysis and HUFA desaturation mediated by cytosolic NAD+, and provide new insight on how D5D and D6D activity may impact glycemic, growth, and cancer traits in humans.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by NIH U01 DK060990 and the Extramural Grant Program of Satellite Health Care, a not‐for‐profit renal care provider.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Maternal fish consumption during pregnancy and smoking behavioural patterns.

n-3 Highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), are essential components of neuronal membranes and mediate a range of complex bioactive properties including gene expression, myelination, cell-signalling and dopaminergic function. Deficits in n-3 HUFA have been linked to increased risks for addictive disorders, thus we posited that lower fish consumption would be associated with greater risks for perinatal smoking among 9640 mothers enroled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. We used univariable and multivariable regression models to examine relationships between self-reported prenatal dietary intakes of n-3 HUFA-rich foods (fish and shellfish) and maternal smoking; outcomes included cessation and the number of cigarettes smoked per d. Both before and during pregnancy, there was consistent evidence (P<0·001) of protective fish intake-smoking associations; relative to mothers reporting no fish consumption, those who reported some fish consumption (<340 g/week) and high fish consumption (340 g+/week) at 32 weeks of gestation showed lower likelihoods of smoking (adjusted P values <0·001). Respective OR for these relationships were 0·87 (95% CI 0·77, 0·97) and 0·73 (95% CI 0·61, 0·86). Although the prevalence of smoking diminished, from a high of 31·6% (pre-pregnancy) to a low of 18·7% (second trimester), the magnitude of fish intake-smoking associations remained stable following adjustment for confounders. These observations suggest that greater fish or n-3 HUFA consumption should be evaluated as an intervention to reduce or prevent smoking in randomised clinical trials.

CHARACTERIZATION OF GENE KETOACYL-ACP SYNTHASE II (KAS II) β ON Elaeis guineensis, Elaeis oleifera, AND INTERSPECIFIC HYBRID

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is currently the highest edible oil-producing plant in the world. E. oleifera is another species of oil palm that is not widely cultivated due to lower productivity. Oil extracted from E. guineensis has a balance ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids level, while E. oleifera has a higher unsaturated fatty acids. Long chain saturated fatty acids are more harmful for human health than unsaturated fatty acids. Gene encoding β-ketoacyl ACP synthase II (KAS II, EC 2.3.1.179) was studied, as this enzyme is responsible for biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. Observation and analysis were conducted for KAS II gene and fatty acids content of E. guineensis represented by DxP Lame, DxP Langkat and CMR78 samples, E. oleifera represented by Suriname origin, and two hybrids (E. guineensis x E. oleifera (Brazil and Suriname)). The results showed E. oleifera Suriname had the highest concentration of oleic acid, followed by E. guineensis (CMR78). KAS II gene sequences alignment showed some genetic variation within E. guineensis and hybrids, while the high level of variation found between E. guineensis and E. oleifera was considered caused by species difference.

Pathological hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction are linked to aberrant endogenous unsaturated fatty acid metabolism.

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy leads to derangements in lipid metabolism that may contribute to the development of cardiac dysfunction. Since previous studies, using high saturated fat diets, have yielded inconclusive results, we investigated whether provision of a high-unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) diet was sufficient to restore impaired lipid metabolism and normalize diastolic dysfunction in the pathologically hypertrophied heart. Male, Wistar rats were subjected to supra-valvar aortic stenosis (SVAS) or sham surgery. After 6 weeks, diastolic dysfunction and pathological hypertrophy was confirmed and both sham and SVAS rats were treated with either normolipidic or HUFA diet. At 18 weeks post-surgery, the HUFA diet failed to normalize decreased E/A ratios or attenuate measures of cardiac hypertrophy in SVAS animals. Enzymatic activity assays and gene expression analysis showed that both normolipidic and HUFA-fed hypertrophied hearts had similar increases in glycolytic enzyme activity and down-regulation of fatty acid oxidation genes. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed depletion of unsaturated fatty acids, primarily linoleate and oleate, within the endogenous lipid pools of normolipidic SVAS hearts. The HUFA diet did not restore linoleate or oleate in the cardiac lipid pools, but did maintain body weight and adipose mass in SVAS animals. Overall, these results suggest that, in addition to decreased fatty acid oxidation, aberrant unsaturated fatty acid metabolism may be a maladaptive signature of the pathologically hypertrophied heart. The HUFA diet is insufficient to reverse metabolic remodeling, diastolic dysfunction, or pathologically hypertrophy, possibly do to preferentially partitioning of unsaturated fatty acids to adipose tissue.

Changes in the Functional Components and Radical Scavenging Activity of Korean Maize Hybrids According to Different Cropping Seasons

We evaluated the proximate composition, free sugar content, fatty acid composition, carotenoid content, total phenol content, and radical scavenging activity of the grain from various Korean maize hybrid cultivars grown in two different cropping seasons. The moisture, crude ash, crude fat, crude protein, total starch, and amylose contents were significantly higher in most of the maize hybrid cultivars when grown in the early-season than when grown in the late-season. The free sugar content, fatty acid composition, carotenoid content, and total phenol content differed significantly between cultivars and cropping seasons. The highest unsaturated fatty acid compositions of maize hybrids of early-season and late-season were 86.05 and 86.29%, respectively, in the Daanok cultivar. The carotenoid contents were significantly higher in maize hybrids of late-season compared to those of early-season. The highest total phenol content was 108.09 mg/100 g in Singwangok of the late-season. The radical scavenging activity of maize hybrids differed significantly between cultivars and cropping seasons.

Synthesis and characterization of a potential bio-based dielectric fluid from neem oil seed

Vegetable oil with high percentage unsaturated fatty acid content are unstable to oxidation at elevated temperatures. However, epoxidation is an effective chemical reaction for chemical structural modification of such oil to eliminate unsaturated carbon–carbon double bond which is responsible for the instability of the oil. In this research, laboratory purified neem oil was epoxidized in situ in the presence of an acidic catalyst and the product was further transesterified. The purified (PNO), epoxidized (ENO) and transesterified (ENOE) oil samples produced were characterized by FTIR, Viscosity measurement using Brookfield Digital Viscometer, relative permittivity, loss tangent and ac conductivity measurements were made using a coaxial probe placed in a thermostatically controlled heat chamber and a frequency analyzer at varying frequency and temperature in the range 20 Hz to 20 kHz and 20 °C to 70 °C respectively. All three samples show Arrhenius type behavior for viscosity and ac conductivity. ENOE sample had least viscosity of 0.0254 Pa s at 40 °C. Both PNO and ENO had a.c conductivity of the order 10−10 S/m at 20 °C and power frequency and loss tangent of 0.0082 and 0.0191 respectively. The oil samples possess low loss in the temperature and frequency ranges considered and are suggested to be suitable candidate for potential natural ester insulating fluid in High Voltage equipment.

Effects of dietary astaxanthin (AX) supplementation on pigmentation, antioxidant capacity and nutritional value of swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus

The swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus, is one of the most popular marine crustaceans in China, and there is a significant potential to expand their aquaculture and improve nutritional value. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of dietary astaxanthin (AX) levels on the growth, shell pigmentation, antioxidant function and fatty acid composition of juvenile swimming crab. Five diets were formulated to supply five levels of AX (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 mg/ kg). Juvenile crabs (31.65 ± 0.06 g) were fed these experimental diets for 56 days. The growth performance and feed efficiency were not significantly affected by dietary AX supplementation. Dietary AX supplementation enhanced the redness (a*) of cooked crabs, whereas the lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) were less affected. The AX concentrations of the whole body, shell and hepatopancreas showed a linear increase with increasing dietary AX levels. The redness (a*) of the shell generally correlated with whole body and shell AX concentrations. AX supplementation reduced oxidative stress and increased whole body n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) concentrations, thus improving the nutritional value of the product and animal health. Improved coloration, an increase in nutritional value and antioxidant status suggests that diet containing 30–60 mg/kg AX was optimal for this crab species.

US Family Physicians Overestimate Personal ω-3 Fatty Acid Biomarker Status: Associations with Fatty Fish and ω-3 Supplement Intake

BackgroundThe health benefits of ω-3 (n–3) fatty acids are well established. Only a small percentage of Americans consume the recommended amounts of fatty fish, the main dietary source of ω-3 fatty acids, and most have low ω-3 fatty acid blood concentrations. ObjectiveWe aimed to measure biomarkers of long-chain ω-3 fatty acid (EPA and DHA) status among family physicians, and determine whether having their ω-3 status tested would influence attitudes and patient recommendations. MethodsFamily physicians attending a medical conference (n = 340) completed an ω-3 intake survey and had a finger stick blood sample taken. ω-3 Index, percentage of ω-6 (%n–6) in highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs), and EPA:arachidonic acid (AA) ratio were calculated from whole blood fatty acid profiles. Post-conference, a subsample of participants (n = 100) responded to a survey regarding attitudes and recommendations about ω-3s. ResultsAverage age (mean ± SEM) of participants was 48.0 ± 0.7 y and 59% were women. Average ω-3 Index was 5.2% ± 0.1%, %n–6 in HUFA was 75% ± 0.4%, and EPA:AA ratio was 0.076 ± 0.004. 57% of family physicians reported consuming <2 servings/wk of fatty fish, and 78% reported using ω-3 supplements ≤1/wk. Although 51% believed ω-3 status was in a desirable range, only 5% had an ω-3 Index ≥8%. Biomarkers of ω-3 status were significantly associated with fatty fish intake and supplement use, and were correlated (R2 ranging from 0.59 to 0.77). Physicians who had ω-3 status tested (n = 65) were more likely to agree with statements affirming the health benefits of ω-3 fatty acids and more willing to recommend ω-3 fatty acids to their patients (P = 0.004). ConclusionsBlood concentrations of ω-3 fatty acids in family physicians were below recommendations, and were associated with fatty fish intake and ω-3 supplement use. There was a discrepancy between perceived and actual ω-3 status. Increased awareness of personal ω-3 status among physicians may facilitate patient communication and recommendations about ω-3 fatty acid intake. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as, NCT03056898.

Nutritional quality of different grades of adult male chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis.

This study mainly investigated the composition of adult male Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) from four grades/sizes (Grade I: 200-249g; Grade II: 175-199g; Grade III: 150-174g; Grade IV:≤150g). The results showed that the grade III crabs had the largest gonadsomatic index (GSI), which was significantly higher than the grade I and grade II crabs, no significant difference was found with the grade IV crab. Significant differences in moisture and total lipid contents were observed among various edible parts from different grades of male Eriocheir sinensis. In particular, grade II crabs had the highest total lipid and dry matter content for hepatopancreas. A balanced amino acids composition and a high essential amino acids score (EAAS) were found in the muscle and gonads of grade III crabs. The levels of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), n-3 PUFA, n-6 PUFA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the hepatopancreas, as well as the contents of PUFA, highly-unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), n-3 PUFA, arachidonic acid (ARA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in the gonads were significantly increased in the grade II crabs. Taken together, it can generally be concluded that adult male Eriocheir sinensis of 150-200g (Grade II-III) weight have the highest nutritional quality even though they are not the largest crabs.

FADS2 inhibition in essential fatty acid deficiency induces hepatic lipid accumulation via impairment of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion

Fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) is responsible for the first desaturation reaction in the synthesis of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs), such as arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3), and is involved in Mead acid (20:3n-9) production during essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD). In this study, an obvious hepatic lipid accumulation was observed in EFAD mice treated with a FADS2 inhibitor. FADS2 inhibition in the EFAD state reduced secretion of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and markedly diminished Mead acid in phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the liver and plasma. As the results, the amount of C20 HUFAs in hepatic and plasma PC dramatically reduced in the EFAD mice treated with a FADS2 inhibitor, whereas the decrease of C20 HUFA levels of PC in EFAD mice was not observed because of the increased Mead acid in PC. These results supposed that Mead acid in PC is important as a component of VLDL. It is possible that Mead acid plays the role of a substitute of HUFAs in VLDL secretion during EFAD.