Level Of Alpha-linolenic Acid Research Articles

Omega-3 Fatty Acids during Pregnancy in Indigenous Australian Women of the Gomeroi Gaaynggal Cohort.

Higher dietary intakes of Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) have been linked to lower rates of preterm birth and preeclampsia. The aim of this analysis was to describe dietary intake and fractions of red blood cell (RBC) membrane LC-PUFAs during pregnancy in a cohort of Indigenous Australian women. Maternal dietary intake was assessed using two validated dietary assessment tools and quantified using the AUSNUT (Australian Food and Nutrient) 2011-2013 database. Analysis from a 3-month food frequency questionnaire indicated that 83% of this cohort met national n-3 LC-PUFA recommendations, with 59% meeting alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) recommendations. No nutritional supplements used by the women contained n-3 LC-PUFAs. Over 90% of women had no detectable level of ALA in their RBC membranes, and the median Omega-3 Index was 5.5%. This analysis appears to illustrate a decline in concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) across gestation in women who had preterm birth. However, there was no visible trend in LC-PUFA fractions in women who experienced hypertension during pregnancy. Further research is needed to better understand the link between dietary intake of n-3 LC-PUFA-rich foods and the role of fatty acids in preterm birth and preeclampsia.

Metabolomics Signature and Potential Application of Serum Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Metabolism in Patients With Vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a depigmented skin disorder caused by a variety of factors, including autoimmune, metabolic disturbance or their combined effect, etc. Non-targeted metabolomic analyses have denoted that dysregulated fatty acids metabolic pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. However, the exact category of fatty acids that participate in vitiligo development and how they functionally affect CD8+ T cells remain undefined. We aimed to determine the difference in specific fatty acids among vitiligo patients and healthy individuals and to investigate their association with clinical features in patients with vitiligo. Serum levels of fatty acids in 48 vitiligo patients and 28 healthy individuals were quantified by performing ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to evaluate the significance of differences. Moreover, flow cytometry was used to explore the effect of indicated fatty acids on the function of CD8+ T cells derived from patients with vitiligo. We demonstrated that serological level of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) was markedly upregulated, while that of arachidonic acid (ARA), arachidic acid (AA) and behenic acid were significantly downregulated in patients with vitiligo. Moreover, ALA levels were positively associated with vitiligo area scoring index (VASI) and ARA was a probable biomarker for vitiligo. We also revealed that supplementation with ARA or nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) could suppress the function of CD8+ T cells. Our results showed that vitiligo serum has disorder-specific phenotype profiles of fatty acids described by dysregulated metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Supplementation with ARA or NDGA might promote vitiligo treatment. These findings provide novel insights into vitiligo pathogenesis that might add to therapeutic options.

Metabolomics Analysis of Litchi Leaves during Floral Induction Reveals Metabolic Improvement by Stem Girdling.

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures often results in a relatively low flowering rate in litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) trees with younger leaves. This study aimed to verify the impact of stem girdling on litchi flowering by identifying and characterizing the induced metabolic changes. After a 60 day exposure to cold treatment at 15 °C/10 °C (12 h/12 h), the flowering rate of the girdled trees was 100%, while that of the non-girdled trees was 20%, indicating that girdling improved litchi flowering at its turning stage. The metabolic profiles of litchi leaves with and without stem girdling during floral induction were compared and 505 metabolites potentially associated with litchi flowering were detected. Most metabolites were involved in the metabolism of starch and sucrose, fatty acid, and phenylpyruvic acid. The metabolic pathways concerned with the biosynthesis of epinephrine, sucrose, and d-maltose were induced in leaves after girdling treatment. The level of galactitol, phenylpyruvic acid, acetyl-CoA, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and 13-HPOT biosynthesis remained stable in the leaves from girdled trees but changed drastically in the leaves from non-girdled trees. In addition, 379 metabolites concerning flowering rate were characterized. Metabolism pathways of starch and sucrose, galactose, and linoleic acid are of great significance to the flowering of litchi. Linoleic acid exhibited the most significant variations between girdled trees and non-girdled trees with fold changes of up to 13.62. These results contribute to understanding the biological mechanism of litchi floral induction and the metabolic changes after stem girdling.

Omega-3 Alpha-Linolenic Fatty Acid Affects the Level of Telomere Binding Protein TRF1 in Porcine Skeletal Muscle

Simple SummaryPolyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids are nutrients with well-described beneficial effects for human and animal health. However, their role in preventing premature aging and aging-related diseases is not fully understood. The main indicators of biological aging are telomeres. Here, we studied the impact of omega-3 fatty acid contained in linseed oil on telomere biology in porcine muscle. Pigs supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids had lower levels of the TRF1 shelterin protein, which is known to protect telomeric sequences. Additional experiments are needed to better understand the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on telomere biology in muscles, and the effects that may be ascribed to their antioxidant properties. Omega-3 fatty acids are health-promoting nutrients that contribute to the amelioration of age-related diseases. Recent studies have reported the role of these fatty acids in the aging process, explicitly impacting telomere biology. The shelterin protein complex, located at the extremities of chromosomes, ensures telomere protection and length regulation. Here, we analyzed the impact of dietary omega-3 alpha-linolenic fatty acid from linseed oil on skeletal muscle telomere biology using an animal model of female pigs. Fifteen animals were supplemented with linseed oil for nine weeks and an equal number of individuals were fed with a control diet. Linseed-oil-supplemented animals showed an increased level of alpha-linolenic acid in skeletal muscles compared to control animals. There was no difference between groups in the telomere length measured in leukocytes and muscles. However, muscles of the linseed-oil-supplemented pigs showed lower levels of the shelterin TRF1 protein compared to the control group. Our results suggest that omega-3 linolenic acid counteracts the elevation of TRF1 levels, which increase with age and due to the presence of reactive oxygen species in muscle. The observed effect may be due to attenuation of oxidative stress.

139 Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics: Nutrient-gene interactions in humans and animals

Abstract Human beings evolved on a diet that was balanced in the omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids to which their genes were programmed to respond. Studies on gene-nutrient interactions using methods from molecular biology and genetics have clearly shown that there are genetic differences in the population, as well as differences in the frequency of genetic variations that interact with diet and influence the growth and development of humans and animals, as well as overall health and chronic disease. Nutrigenetics refers to studies on the role of genetic variants and their response to diet. For example, persons with genetic variants in the metabolism of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids have different levels of arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) based on the type of genetic variant in the Fatty Acid Desaturase 1 (FADS1) and Fatty Acid Desaturase 2 (FADS2). At the same level of linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) a person with a genetic variant that increases the activity of the FADS1 will have a higher AA in the red cell membrane phospholipids and a higher risk for obesity and cardiovascular disease. Nutrigenomics refers to how nutrients (diets) influence the expression of genes. For example, diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA decrease the expression of inflammatory genes and as a result decrease the risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. Thus, through studies on Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics nutritional science stands at its “golden threshold” where personalized nutrition is the future, to improve an individual’s health.

THE EFFECT OF DIET CONTAINING HIGH ALPHA-LINOLENIC ACID ON OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS AND HEALTH STATUS OF THE HEART IN BROILERS

The objectives of the study were to examine the effect of diet high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) on omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) and the health status of the heart. Diets were based on a commercial starter diet, with a low level of fat. The experimental diets contained two levels of ALA (2.23 and 19.37%), with the total fat content was approximately 5%. Pure or blended vegetable oils were included at a level of 2.8% in order to produce diets with the desired levels of linoleic acid (LA) and ALA. The ratio of LA to ALA of the diets was 9.75:1 for control diet and 1.37:1 for high ALA diet. Each diet was provided ad libitum for the duration of the 28-d growth period. At 28 days of age, six selected birds from each pen (12 birds per group) were weighed individually and hearts were collected for analysis. A ratio of right ventricle mass (RV) to total ventricle mass (TV) was used to indicate the health status of the heart. Results showed that dietary treatment increased the level of ALA from 0.1% (control diet) to 0.5% (P<0.01). Increasing levels of dietary ALA raised the level of n-3 LCPUFA and total n-3 in heart tissues by 4-5-fold. There was no significant difference observed in the level of heart LA, arachidonic acid (AA) and total n-6. The increased levels of dietary ALA did not cause changes in the ratio of RV to total TV. In conclusion, it appears clear that based on our data, increasing ALA content in the diet of chickens could potentially be beneficial for the health of the birds; however, further work is necessary.

The Influence of Probiotic Lactobacilli and Flaxseed on the Health of Weaned Piglets and Metabolism of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs)

Abstract This study investigated for 14 days post-weaning, the influence of dietary supplementation of synbiotics in the form of probiotic cheeses containing cultures of L. plantarum and L. fermentum and crushed flaxseed (source of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids — PUFAs and fibre) on 36 commercial piglets originating from an infected herd (Coronavirus and E. coli) during the critical period of weaning. We focused on the health and metabolism of PUFAs in this critical period of a piglet’s life. The dietary supplementation positively affected: the overall health state of weaners, reduced diarrhoea by 29 % by 14 days post-weaning and significantly increased the counts of lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria and the production of volatile fatty acids. The PUFA concentrations in the m. biceps femoris of the piglets were analysed by gas chromatography. High levels of ω-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in flaxseed increased significantly the level of ALA, eicosapentaenic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenic acid (DHA) in the pig muscles on days 7 and 14 post-weaning. The levels of ω-6 linolenic acid (LA) were less affected by the diet, but were increased on day 14 post-weaning, while the conversion products of LA, and arachidonic acid (AA), were decreased on days 7 and 14. The increased level of dietary ALA favoured the activity of Δ-6-desaturase for the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA, at the expense of AA synthesis from LA. The ability of synbiotics to incorporate high levels of DHA in the pig muscles appear prospective for improving the nutritional properties of pork and reducing the occurrence of civilization diseases in consumers of this product of animal origin.

Protective Effect of Linseed Oil and Walnuts against Hypercholesterolemia Induced by Atherogenic Diet in Rats

Hypercholesterolemia is the most common pathologic process underlying atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Alpha–linolenic acid (ALA) is believed to benefit the cardiovascular system. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different levels of dietary ALA from linseed oil and walnut on serum lipid profile of rats fed on atherogenic diet (AD). Sixty male Sprague- Dawley rats weighed 121.3±10.6 g were divided into six groups. Rats were fed for 10 weeks on rodent diets contained 2% cholesterol , 3% corn oil and 20% fat whose source was from either palm stearin (saturated fat), corn oil, linseed oil or walnut at different levels of ALA that ranged from zero to 9.71%. Weight gain, liver weight, serum lipid profile and liver function parameters were determined. AD based on saturated fat resulted in significant alterations in serum lipids, increase in body weight gain and relative liver weight accompanied by negative effect on liver function parameters. Dietary ALA could counteract the detrimental effects brought about by the AD. The overall beneficial effects provided by high level of ALA were better than those given by low levels of ALA. Linseed oil exerted a hypolipidemic effect and could be considered as a promising functional food in cardiovascular disease.

Threshold changes in rat brain docosahexaenoic acid incorporation and concentration following graded reductions in dietary alpha-linolenic acid

BackgroundThis study tested the dietary level of alpha-linolenic acid (α-LNA, 18:3n-3) required to maintain brain 14C-Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) metabolism and concentration following graded α-LNA reduction. MethodsFischer-344 (CDF) male rat pups (18–21 days old) were randomized to the AIN-93G diet containing as a % of total fatty acids, 4.6% (“n-3 adequate”), 3.6%, 2.7%, 0.9% or 0.2% (“n-3 deficient”) α-LNA for 15 weeks. Rats were intravenously infused with 14C-DHA to steady state for 5min, serial blood samples collected to obtain plasma, and brains excised following microwave fixation. Labeled and unlabeled DHA concentrations were measured in plasma and brain to calculate the incorporation coefficient, k*, and incorporation rate, Jin. ResultsCompared to 4.6% α-LNA controls, k* was significantly increased in ethanolamine glycerophospholipids in the 0.2% α-LNA group. Circulating unesterified DHA and brain incorporation rates (Jin) were significantly reduced at 0.2% α-LNA. Brain total lipid and phospholipid DHA concentrations were reduced at or below 0.9% α-LNA. ConclusionThreshold changes for brain DHA metabolism and concentration were maintained at or below 0.9% dietary α-LNA, suggesting the presence of homeostatic mechanisms to maintain brain DHA metabolism when dietary α-LNA intake is low.

Influence du taux d’acide alpha-linolénique de l’aliment sur la teneur en oméga-3 et les caractéristiques hédoniques de la viande de lapin. Revue bibliographique

Several publications are dealing with the influence of the omega 3 level in the feed, more particularly the alpha-linolenic acid level, on the rabbit meat level in this fatty acid, but only few of them deal with the use of the flaxseed. This review is a synthesis of the effects of the level of alpha-linolenic acid brought by the flaxseed on the omega 3 level of the rabbit meat. It shows a direct connection between the alpha-linolenic acid level in the feed and the omega 3 content of the rabbit meat. Besides, this enrichment decreases the saturated fatty acids level, the omega 6 level and consequently the omega 6/omega 3 ratio below 4. In consequence, the contribution of around 0.65% of alpha-linolenic acid in the feed by incorporation of flaxseed in the feed allows to bring in average 967 mg of omega 3 for 100 g of back or 459 mg for 100 kcal and 1004 mg of omega 3 for 100 g of shoulder or 483 mg for 100 kcal and consequently to claim the allegation “rich in omega 3”. This enrichment doesn’t modify the hedonic characteristics of the rabbit meat.

Blood Level Omega-3 Fatty Acids as Risk Determinant Molecular Biomarker for Prostate Cancer

Previous researches involving dietary methods have shown conflicting findings. Authors sought to assess the association of prostate cancer risk with blood levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) through a meta-analysis of human epidemiological studies in available online databases (July, 2012). After critical appraisal by two independent reviewers, Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOQAS) was used to grade the studies. Six case control and six nested case control studies were included. Results showed nonsignificant association of overall effect estimates with total or advanced prostate cancer or high-grade tumor. High blood level of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) had nonsignificant positive association with total prostate cancer risk. High blood level of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) had significant negative association with total prostate cancer risk. Specific n-3 PUFA in fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) had positive association with high-grade prostate tumor risk only after adjustment of interstudy variability. There is evidence that high blood level of DPA that is linked with reduced total prostate cancer risk and elevated blood levels of fish oils, EPA, and DHA is associated with high-grade prostate tumor, but careful interpretation is needed due to intricate details involved in prostate carcinogenesis and N-3 PUFA metabolism.

A dairy fat matrix providing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is better than a vegetable fat mixture to increase brain DHA accretion in young rats

Achieving an appropriate DHA status in the neonatal brain is an important goal of neonatal nutrition. We evaluated how alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), provided for six weeks after weaning by different dietary fat matrix, improved brain DHA content of young male rats born from deficient-dams. The level of ALA achieved was based on the fat composition of usual infant vegetable formula. A palm oil-blend diet thus providing 1.5%ALA was compared to dairy fat-blend-based diets that provided either 1.5%ALA or 2.3%ALA, or a rapeseed oil diet providing 8.3%ALA (n−6/n−3 ratio were, respectively 10,10,5,2.5).The 1.5%ALA-dairy-fat-blend was superior to 1.5%ALA-palm-oil-blend to restore values of brain DHA, while the 2.3%ALA-dairy-fat-blend exhibited a further increase and reached the values obtained with pure rapeseed diet (8.3%ALA).Dairy-fat-blends enriched with ALA appear to be an interesting strategy for achieving optimal DHA levels in the brain of post-weaning rats. Providing dairy fat as well as a reduction of the LA/ALA ratio should be reconsidered to design infant formula.

The First Report on Seed Chemical Compositions of Salvia leriifolia Benth.

Proximate compositions and chemical properties of the seeds and the oil extracted from seed of Salvia leriifolia Benth, a medicinal plant belonging to family Lamineaceae collected from Najmabad region (in Razavi Khorasan province of Iran) were investigated in this study. Proximate analysis showed that the seeds of S. leriifolia contained 28.5 %oil (seed dry weight), 24.77 %protein, 17.18 %crude fiber, 7.8 ash and 13.6 %carbohydrate. The levels of minerals Ca, P, K, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu were 4000, 3009, 2700, 2300, 90, 60, 43, 19.4 and 10 mg per kg seed, respectively. The iodine value of extracted oil evaluated here (122 gIz per 100 g of oil) reflects high level of unsaturation of the extracted oil. Also saponification value, acid value, peroxide value, and refractive index were found to be 178, 1.05, 0.84 and 1.450, respectively. The Oil extracted from S. leriifolia had almost equal amounts of oleic and linoleic acids (41 %for oleic acid and 42.3 %for linoleic acid). Fatty acid profile indicated that the level of alpha linolenic acid (1.7 %) is lower than those of many other studied species of Salvia. The results showed that S. leriifolia seed was rich in minerals, oil, protein, fibers and essential fatty acids (omega-6 group) which make it a valuable oil seed.

Huile oléagineuse de perilla

The Perilla plant (Perilla frutescens), used in traditional Chinese and Kampo medicine, is now used as a therapeutic oil, thanks to its high level of alphalinolenic acid (ALA) [66%]. Its fantastic properties, beyond the common ones of ALA and the different omega 3, are completed by the balance of its components. Some therapeutic evidences have been brought in inflammatory intestinal and colic diseases, cardiovascular pathology, neurology, respiratory allergies, osteoporosis, inflammatory and rheumatic diseases, and finally in some kind of tumors.

Ricinodendron heutelotii (Bail.) or Tetracarpidium conophorum Müll. oils fed to male rats lower blood lipids

Ricinodendron heudelotii and Tetracarpidium conophorum (Euphorbiaceae family) are 2 oil-bearing wild plants whose fruits are generally consumed in Cameroon. T conophorum kernels are eaten as nibbles after cooking. Kernels of R heudelotii are used as spice in many dishes in Cameroon. Oil from T conophorum contains a high level of alpha-linolenic acid (72.24%), and oil from R heudelotii kernels is a good source of alpha-eleostearic acid (9c, 11t, 13t; 52.61%), which is a conjugated linolenic acid. Polyunsaturated fatty acids have received considerable interest because their consumption has been associated with beneficial health effects. We hypothesized that the consumption of R heudelotii and T conophorum oils would alter the in vivo lipid profiles and some antioxidants parameters. Therefore, male Sprague-Dawley rats (age, 1 month, n = 18) were fed with a standard, commercial diet (control group), or a diet containing T conophorum oil (TCO group) or R heudelotii oil (RHO group). After 60 days of feeding the respective diets, blood samples were collected and used to determine biochemical parameters. High-protein lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, malondialdehyde, and selenium levels were not significantly different (P > .05) between the RHO and TCO groups. The atherogenicity index was higher for the group of rats fed a standard, commercial diet compared with the RHO and TCO groups. The oils examined in this study reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rats compared with the control group fed the standard diet.

Characteristics of High α‐Linolenic Acid Accumulation in Seed Oils

Modern diets are often deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and additional dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids are useful. In order to investigate the molecular basis of the high accumulation of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (18:3), in three different plants, flax (Linum usitatissimum), Dracocephalum moldavica, and Perilla frutescens omega-3 desaturase activity, transcript levels, and 18:3 in-vivo synthesis were examined. The 18:3 content was found to be higher at the later developmental stage of D. moldavica (68%) compared with P. frutescens (59%) and flax (45%) cotyledons. The 18:3 and 18:2 contents in both PC and TAG were determined during various stages of seed development for all three plants in addition to soybean (Glycine max). Northern blot analysis data of three different stages of D. moldavica, flax, and P. frutescens compared with moderately low 18:3 producers, soybean (Glycine max), and Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica napus, (8-10% 18:3) at a stage of zygotic embryo development of high triglyceride synthesis showed that omega-3 desaturase mRNA levels were higher in all three high 18:3 producers, flax, D. moldavica and P. frutescens. This indicates that the high level of alpha-linolenic acid in TAG may be largely controlled by the level of omega-3 desaturase gene expression. However, the PC versus TAG fatty acid composition data suggested that along with omega-3 desaturase other enzymes also play a role in 18:3 accumulation in TAG, and the high accumulators have a selective transfer of alpha-linolenic acid into TAG.

Chemical Compositions, Antioxidant Capacities, and Antiproliferative Activities of Selected Fruit Seed Flours

Seed flours from black raspberry, red raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, pinot noir grape, and chardonnay grape were examined for their total fat content, fatty acid composition, total phenolic content (TPC), total anthocyanin content (TAC), radical scavenging capacities against the peroxyl (ORAC) and stable DPPH radicals, chelating capacity against Fe(2+), and antiproliferative activities using the HT-29 colon cancer cell line. Significant levels of fat were detected in the fruit seed flours and their fatty acid profiles may differ from those of the respective seed oils. Cranberry seed flour had the highest level of alpha-linolenic acid (30.9 g/100 g fat) and the lowest ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acids (1.2/1). The ORAC value of the chardonnay seed flour was 1076.4 Trolox equivalents mumol/g flour, and its TPC was 186.3 mg gallic acid equivalents/g flour. These values were 3-12 times higher than the other tested fruit seed flours. Furthermore, the ORAC value was significantly correlated to the TPC under the experimental conditions (P < 0.05). These fruit seed flours also differed in their TAC values and Fe(2+)-chelating capacities. In addition, black raspberry, cranberry, and chardonnay grape seed flour extracts were evaluated for their antiproliferative effects using HT-29 colon cancer cells. All three tested seed flour extracts significant inhibited HT-29 cell proliferation. The data from this study suggest the potential of developing the value-added use of these fruit seed flours as dietary sources of natural antioxidants and antiproliferative agents for optimal human health.

Isolation and Characterization of Neutral Lipids of Desilked Eri Silkworm Pupae Grown on Castor and Tapioca Leaves

The neutral lipid of desilked eri silkworm pupae (Samia cynthia ricini) grown on two different host plants, castor (Ricinus communis Linn.) and tapioca (Manihot utilizsima Phol.) leaves, was extracted with hexane. The oil content in pupae was estimated to be in the range of 18-20% (dry basis). The pupal oil was found to be enriched with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) with palmitic acid as the second major fatty acid. The level of ALA in the oil of silkworm pupae was found to be significantly higher (P < 0.001) when grown on tapioca (58.3%) as compared to those grown on castor (42.9%). Other chemical parameters such as percent free fatty acid, peroxide value, phosphorus content, percent unsaponifiable matter, and composition of sterols were also determined in both of the oils and compared. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of triacylglycerol molecular species showed that the pupal oil is rich in molecular species with equivalent carbon numbers (ECN) C36, C40, C42, C44, and C48. There was a significantly higher level (P < 0.001) of trilinolenin (C36) in the oil of tapioca-based silkworm as compared to castor-based silkworm pupae. Regiospecific analysis of the oil showed a higher level of ALA at the sn-2 position of silkworm pupae grown on tapioca (60.2%) as compared to those grown on castor (47.3%) oil. Thus, the presence of a large amount of ALA and their predominance at the sn-2 position make the eri pupal oil highly nutritious, provided that the oxidative stability is ensured.

Modulation of antioxidant enzyme activities, platelet aggregation and serum prostaglandins in rats fed spray-dried milk containing n-3 fatty acid

Spray-dried milk enriched with n-3 fatty acids from linseed oil or fish oil were fed to rats to study its influence on liver lipid peroxides, hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, serum prostaglandins and platelet aggregation. Significant level of alpha linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were accumulated at the expense of arachidonic acid in the liver of rats fed n-3 fatty acid enriched formulation. The linseed oil and fish oil enriched formulation fed group had 44 and 112% higher level of lipid peroxides in liver homogenate compared to control rats fed groundnut oil enriched formulation. Catalase activity in liver homogenate was increased by 37 and 183% respectively in linseed oil and fish oil formulation fed rats. The glutathione peroxidase activity decreased to an extent of 25-36% and glutathione transferase activity increased to an extent of 34-39% in rats fed n-3 fatty acids enriched formulation. Feeding n-3 fatty acid enriched formulation significantly elevated the n-3 fatty acids in platelets and increased the lipid peroxide level to an extent of 4.2-4.5 fold compared to control. The serum thromboxane B2 level was decreased by 35 and 42% respectively in linseed oil and fish oil enriched formulation fed rats, whereas, 6-keto- prostaglandin F1alpha level was decreased by 17 and 23% respectively in linseed oil and fish oil enriched formulation fed rats. The extent and rate of platelet aggregation was decreased significantly in n-3 fatty acids enriched formulation fed rats. This indicated that n-3 fatty acids enriched formulation beneficially reduces platelet aggregation and also enhances the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and glutathione transferase.

Modulation of antioxidant enzyme activities, platelet aggregation and serum prostaglandins in rats fed spray-dried milk containing n-3 fatty acid

Spray-dried milk enriched with n-3 fatty acids from linseed oil (LSO) or fish oil (FO) were fed to rats to study its influence on liver lipid peroxides, hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, serum prostaglandins and platelet aggregation. Significant level of alpha linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were accumulated at the expense of arachidonic acid in the liver of rats fed n-3 fatty acid enriched formulation. The linseed oil and fish oil enriched formulation fed group had 44 and 112% higher level of lipid peroxides in liver homogenate compared to control rats fed groundnut oil enriched formulation. Catalase activity in liver homogenate was increased by 37 and 183% respectively in linseed oil and fish oil formulation fed rats. The glutathione peroxidase activity decreased to an extent of 25-36% and glutathione transferase activity increased to an extent of 34-39% in rats fed n-3 fatty acids enriched formulation. Feeding n-3 fatty acid enriched formulation significantly elevated the n-3 fatty acids in platelets and increased the lipid peroxide level to an extent of 4.2 to 4.5-fold compared to control. The serum thromboxane B2 level was decreased by 35 and 42% respectively in linseed oil and fish oil enriched formulation fed rats, whereas 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha level was decreased by 17 and 23% respectively in linseed oil and fish oil enriched formulation fed rats. The extent and rate of platelet aggregation was decreased significantly in n-3 fatty acids enriched formulation fed rats. This indicated that n-3 fatty acids enriched formulation beneficially reduces platelet aggregation and also enhances the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and glutathione transferase.