Levels Of Alpha-linolenic Acid Research Articles

Development and Evaluation of Value-Added Cheese Spread using Red Cabbage Microgreens and Flaxseeds

Abstract: Microgreens, the young seedlings of vegetables and herbs, are gaining popularity for their distinct flavors , superior nutritional content and positive impact on gut health. Red cabbage microgreens (RCMG) stand out with remarkable vitamin C (147mg/100g) and other antioxidant rich phytochemicals content. Flax seeds (FS), known for their versatility in food offer cardiovascular benefits with high levels of alpha-linolenic acid and dietary fiber. This study aimed to develop value-added cheese spread using RCMG and FS, employing pre-preparation treatments like blanching and roasting. Three variations (V1, V2, V3) with varying RCMG and FS compositions were developed and evaluated. Commercially available cheese spread was used as the control (basic). Sensory evaluation, conducted by 46 semi-trained panelists using a 9-point Hedonic rating scale, revealed V1 (RCMG-30%, FS-6%) as the most accepted variation with good spreadability compared to the basic cheese spread. Value-added cheese spread showed no signs of spoilage in 30 days shelf life check under refrigeration. This study indicates the successful incorporation of Red Cabbage microgreens and Flaxseeds into the cheese spread with good sensory acceptability.

Assessment of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid profiles and ratio of omega-6/omega-3 of white eggs produced by laying hens fed diets enriched with omega-3 rich vegetable oil

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids in egg and the ratio of n-6/n-3 of white eggs produced by laying hens (Hy-Line white) fed diets enriched with n-3 fats. In this study, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) levels of the dietary treatments ranged from 0.3 to 6% energy. Grain-based diets containing a low linoleic acid (LA) content were selected to prepare a basal diet to optimize the conversion of ALA into n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). The results showed that the level of all n-3 LCPUFA in eggs improved (P < 0.01) by increasing the levels of dietary ALA. Importantly, eggs produced from laying hens fed diets containing 6%en ALA significantly increased (P < 0.01) the total of n-3 fats by approximately nine-fold. Diets enriched with ALA significantly reduced (P < 0.01) the ratio of n-6/n-3 of the eggs. The n-6/n-3 ratio of eggs decreased from 7.17% in the 0.3%en ALA diet to 1.29% in the 6%en ALA diet. In conclusion, white laying hens fed ALA-enriched diets produced eggs higher in n-3 fatty acids and lower n-6/n-3 ratio, which provides an alternative n-3 rich food for consumers and have beneficial health effects.

Essential Fatty Acid Associated with Heart Rate Variability in Highly Trained Male Cross-Country Skiers: A Pilot Study

Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolites play important roles in the modulation of vascular tone, heart rate variability (HRV), and cardiovascular diseases. This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between HRV and the plasma levels of essential acids. Methods: Highly trained cross-country skiers participated in the study (n = 19). Time-domain and frequency-domain HRV analyses were performed. The plasma levels of fatty acids were determined using gas–liquid chromatography. Results: Plasma eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were found to be negatively correlated with resting heart rate (HR) (p = 0.026). The plasma levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) were positively associated with the relative value of high-frequency power (rs = 0.465, p = 0.045) and negatively correlated with the sympathovagal balance ratio (rs = −0.493, p = 0.032) and the absolute and relative values of low-frequency power (rs = −0.490, p = 0.028). The plasma levels of arachidonic acid (ARA) were positively associated with the relative value of high-frequency power (rs = 0.59, p = 0.006) and negatively correlated with the sympathovagal balance ratio (rs = −0.54, p = 0.017) and the relative values of low-frequency power (rs = −0.52, p = 0.022). No correlation was found between n6/n3 and HRV parameters except for HR and pNN50. Conclusions: n-3 PUFAs and ARA play an important role in the autonomic regulation of heart rate in highly trained skiers. Athletes with substantial deficiencies in plasma ALA and excess levels of ARA had increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activity.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Markers of Thrombosis in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) are associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Antithrombotic mechanisms may in part explain this observation. Therefore, we examined the association of n-3 FAs with D-dimer and beta-thromboglobulin (BTG), markers for activated coagulation and platelets, respectively. The n-3 FAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) were determined via gas chromatography in the whole blood of 2373 patients with AF from the Swiss Atrial Fibrillation cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02105844). In a cross-sectional analysis, we examined the association of total n-3 FAs (EPA + DHA + DPA + ALA) and the association of individual fatty acids with D-dimer in patients with detectable D-dimer values (n = 1096) as well as with BTG (n = 2371) using multiple linear regression models adjusted for confounders. Median D-dimer and BTG levels were 0.340 ug/mL and 448 ng/mL, respectively. Higher total n-3 FAs correlated with lower D-dimer levels (coefficient 0.94, 95% confidence interval (Cl) 0.90-0.98, p = 0.004) and lower BTG levels (coefficient 0.97, Cl 0.95-0.99, p = 0.003). Likewise, the individual n-3 FAs EPA, DHA, DPA and ALA showed an inverse association with D-dimer. Higher levels of DHA, DPA and ALA correlated with lower BTG levels, whereas EPA showed a positive association with BTG. In patients with AF, higher levels of n-3 FAs were associated with lower levels of D-dimer and BTG, markers for activated coagulation and platelets, respectively. These findings suggest that n-3 FAs may exert antithrombotic properties in patients with AF.

Stilbenes-enriched peanut sprouts alleviated physical fatigue via regulating interactions of nutrients-microbiota-metabolites revealed by multi-omics analysis.

In this study, the antifatigue effect and mechanism of peanut sprouts were explored. BALB/c mice divided into three groups (control, dark and UV-C) were respectively supplemented with a normal diet, peanut sprouts (dark germination) added diet and stilbenes-enriched peanut sprouts (UV-C radiated germination) added diet. Results showed that swimming time and levels of blood glucose and antioxidant enzymes significantly increased, while contents of triglyceride and malondialdehyde notably decreased by peanut sprout supplementation. Besides, combined analysis of gut microbiota gene sequencing and targeted metabolomics of fecal metabolites revealed that peanut sprout supplementation up-regulated abundances and metabolic transformations of Catenibacillus, Odoribacter, Prevotellaceae-UCG-001 and Butyricicoccus while it down-regulated the abundance of Parabacteroides. Consequently, contents of sebacic acid, azelaic acid, suberic acid, heptanoic acid, pimelic acid, aminoadipic acid and mono-phenolics notably increased, which were markedly correlated with the antifatigue effect. Compared with the dark group, the swimming time, glutathione peroxidase activity, methylmalonylcarnitine content and abundances of Butyricicoccus, Catenibacillus and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 were higher in the UV-C group, while opposite results were obtained for the levels of triglyceride, malondialdehyde, alpha-linolenic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, 10Z-heptadecenoic acid and palmitelaidic acid. Overall, peanut sprout supplementation could alleviate fatigue by modulating gut microbiota composition to promote fatty acid oxidation and lysine and stilbene catabolism to increase energy supply and regulate redox balance. UV-C-radiated peanut sprout supplementation could alleviate fatigue more effectively by up-regulating abundances of Butyricicoccus, Catenibacillus and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 to promote long-chain fatty acid oxidation and catabolism of flavonoids and stilbenes efficiently.

Association of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Clinical Progression in Patients With ALS: Post Hoc Analysis of the EMPOWER Trial.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects and could be beneficial in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Higher dietary intake and plasma levels of PUFAs, in particular alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), have been associated with a lower risk of ALS in large epidemiologic cohort studies, but data on disease progression in patients with ALS are sparse. We examined whether plasma levels of ALA and other PUFAs contributed to predicting survival time and functional decline in patients with ALS. We conducted a study among participants in the EMPOWER clinical trial who had plasma samples collected at the time of randomization that were available for fatty acid analyses. Plasma fatty acids were measured using gas chromatography. We used Cox proportional hazards models and linear regression to evaluate the association of individual fatty acids with risk of death and joint rank test score of functional decline and survival. Fatty acid analyses were conducted in 449 participants. The mean (SD) age of these participants at baseline was 57.5 (10.7) years, and 293 (65.3%) were men; 126 (28.1%) died during follow-up. Higher ALA levels were associated with lower risk of death (age-adjusted and sex-adjusted hazard ratio comparing highest vs lowest quartile 0.50, 95% CI 0.29-0.86, p-trend = 0.041) and higher joint rank test score (difference in score according to 1 SD increase 10.7, 95% CI 0.2-21.1, p = 0.045), consistent with a slower functional decline. The estimates remained similar in analyses adjusted for body mass index, race/ethnicity, symptom duration, site of onset, riluzole use, family history of ALS, predicted upright slow vital capacity, and treatment group. Higher levels of the n-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid and the n-6 fatty acid linoleic acid were associated with a lower risk of death during follow-up. Higher levels of ALA were associated with longer survival and slower functional decline in patients with ALS. These results suggest that ALA may have a favorable effect on disease progression in patients with ALS.

Omega-3 profiles and chemical substances of chicken meat fed diets containing purslane (Portulaca oleraceae) meal rich in omega-3 fats

Purslane (Portulaca oleraceae) is a plant rich in omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids which can be added to the diets of chicken to produce meat high in n-3 fatty acids. This research aimed to analyse the impact of the purslane meal addition into a basal diet on the quality and n-3 fatty acids of broiler meat. A total of 150 broilers were assigned randomly to five treatments with six replications. Each replication consisted of five broilers. The treatments were a basal diet supplemented with purslane meal at levels of 0% (Br-E0), 1.5% (Br-E1), 3% (Br-E2), 4.5% (Br-E3), and 6% (Br-E4). Meat samples were taken on day 42 for quality and n-3 fatty acid analysis. Results showed that the addition of purslane meal to the basal diets did not affect (P>0.05) the protein and moisture content of the meat but significantly reduced (P<0.05) the fat content. Increasing the levels of purslane meal rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the diets increased the ALA, DHA, total n-3 PUFA, total n-6 PUFA, and total PUFA (P<0.05) in the broiler meat. The DHA level of the meat from chickens fed with 6% purslane meal increased by double compared to those fed with control diet. In conclusion, chickens fed ALA enriched diets up to a level of 6% produced meat higher in n-3 fats without negatively affecting the chemical composition of the meat.

Effects of Replacement of Fish Oil with Microbial Oil (Schizochytrium sp. T18) on Membrane Lipid Composition of Atlantic Salmon Parr Muscle and Liver Tissues

A 16-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate effects of replacing dietary fish oil (FO) with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich microbial oil (MO) from Schizochytrium sp. (T18) on membrane lipid composition of Atlantic salmon parr liver and muscle tissues. Four nutritionally balanced diets were formulated with varying levels of FO, MO, and canola oil (CO), including a control diet with 20% FO, a secondary control diet with 10% FO and 10% CO, and two experimental diets that completely replaced FO with a low (5%) and high (10%) proportion of MO. No significant differences were observed in growth parameters (81–98 g; weight gain), total lipid class composition, and total sterol content among the dietary treatments. However, there were significant differences in the proportions of individual ꞷ3 and ꞷ6 fatty acids in both liver and muscle tissues, reflecting the different dietary treatments. Notably, the presence of low eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in the MO diets did not affect the growth performance of the fish, suggesting a lower requirement for EPA in the diet and a greater necessity for DHA. The results also showed that DHA was present in very high proportions in the cellular membrane, particularly in muscle tissue, with low levels of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. Overall, the findings suggest that MO derived from Schizochytrium sp. (T18) could be a potential substitute for FO in the diet of farmed Atlantic salmon.

Relationship Between Cardiovascular Events and Serum Lipid and Plasma Fatty Acid Profile in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients With Diabetic Mellitus.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a frequent complication in hemodialysis (HD) patients, especially when the underlying disease is diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study, we investigated cardiovascular events and lipid and fatty acid profile in maintenance HD patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The subjects were 123 patients undergoing HD at Oyokyo Kidney Research Institute Hirosaki Hospital, who were considered to have DKD as the underlying cause of dialysis induction. Among these patients, the lipid and fatty acid profile were examined in two groups, CVD group (n=53) and non-CVD group (n=70), according to the presence or absence of a history of cardiovascular events (coronary artery disease, stroke, arteriosclerosis obliterans, valvular disease, and aortic disease). For serum lipid profile, the levels of total-cholesterol (T-C), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured, and for fatty acid balance, 24 fractions of fatty acid composition in plasma total lipids were measured. These markers were compared between the CVD and non-CVD groups. The levels of T-C and TG were significantly lower in the CVD group compared with the non-CVD group (147.7±36.9 mg/dl vs. 159.2±35.6 mg/dl, p<0.05, 120.2±65.7 mg/dl vs. 143.8±124.4 mg/dl, p<0.05). In the plasma fatty acid composition, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) were significantly lower in the CVD group compared with the non-CVD group (0.74±0.26 wt% vs. 0.84±0.31 wt%, p<0.05; 0.61±0.21 wt% vs. 0.70±0.30 wt%, p<0.05). Abnormal fatty acid balance, especially low levels of ALA and DPA, rather than serum lipids, are more likely the factors associated with cardiovascular events in maintenance HD patients with underlying DKD.

The association between serum fatty acids and pregnancy in PCOS women undergoing ovulation induction

Background Long-term dietary fat intake is thought to affect metabolism and pregnancy of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients, and the type of fatty acids one consumes plays an important role. Previous studies mostly used questionnaires to analyze the type and proportion of fatty acids. Methods This prospective study included 91 PCOS patients. Serum fatty acids were measured by the gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry method before ovulation induction. We compared the fatty acids between the pregnancy group and the nonpregnancy group and explored the influence of the fatty acids on live births and pregnancy loss. Results Nervonic acid was lower in the pregnancy group than in the nonpregnancy group (0.25% vs. 0.30%, p = .017). The following trans-fatty acids were significantly lower in the pregnancy group than in the nonpregnancy group: trans-10-heptadecenoic acid, trans-vaccenic acid, trans-11-eicosenoic acid, and brassidic acid. The level of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the live birth group was significantly higher than the pregnancy loss group (16.95% vs. 15.10%, p = .039). Among individual PUFAs, the levels of linoleic acid (p = .043), docosapentaenoic acid (p = .024), alpha-linolenic acid (p = .042), and eicosapentaenoic acid (p = .035) were higher in the live birth group than in the pregnancy loss group. After adjusting for infertility duration, age, and body mass index, our findings suggested an inverse association between pregnancy and nervonic acid, trans-10-heptadecenoic acid, trans-vaccenic acid, trans-11-eicosenoic acid, and brassidic acid and pregnancy. Conclusions Our findings indicate that polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with live birth in PCOS patients. Serum trans-fatty acids and nervonic acid might be risk factors for nonpregnancy. The mechanism of the influence of different fatty acids on pregnancy and live birth merits further exploration.

Correlation between gut bacteria Phascolarctobacterium and exogenous metabolite α-linolenic acid in T2DM: a case-control study.

The relationship between gut microbiota and metabolites play an important role in the occurrence and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the interaction between intestinal flora abundance and metabolites is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of the interaction network between intestinal flora and fecal metabolites in regulating the occurrence of T2DM. This a case-control study. T2DM patients with different glucose levels and healthy people were divided into case group and normal controls (NC) group. Fasting plasma and fecal samples were collected from the subjects. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) untargeted fecal metabolomics was used to detect small molecular metabolites within 1,500 Da in two groups. The diversity and richness of intestinal flora were analyzed by the 16SrRNA third-generation full-length sequencing technique and the correlation between intestinal microflora and different metabolites was evaluated. A total of 30 patients with T2DM and 21 NC were included for analysis, glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc) (P<0.001), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (P<0.001), total triglycerides (TG) (P=0.002), and fasting serum insulin (FINS) (P=0.026) were significantly higher in the T2DM group compared with the NC group. The fecal metabolomics profiles of the T2DM group and NC group were significantly different, and 355 different metabolites were identified among the two. Compared with the NC group, the levels of ornithine (P=0.04), L-lysine (P=0.03), glutamate (P=0.01), alpha-linolenic acid (P=0.004), traumatin (P=0.05), and erucic acid (P=0.004) in the T2DM group decreased significantly, while PC[18:3(6Z,9Z,12Z)/24:1(15Z)] (P<0.001) levels increased. Compared with the NC group, the richness of Megamonas and Escherichia increased in T2DM patients, while that of Bacteroidota and Phascolarctobacterium were lower. Pearson correlation analysis revealed associations between gut microbiota and faecal metabolites, and Phascolarctobacterium was positively correlated with alpha-linolenic acid (r=0.72, P<0.001). There may be a mutual regulatory network between intestinal bacteria and fecal metabolites in T2DM. The increased abundance of Phascolarctobacterium may increase alpha-linolenic acid uptake, and alpha-linolenic acid may also increase the abundance of intestinal Phascolarctobacterium in vivo after metabolic transformation. The combination of the two may play an important role in the treatment of diabetes.

Serum betatrophin levels and fatty acid profile in gestational diabetes mellitus: Correlation with insulin resistance

Introduction and Aim: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) involves insulin resistance, altered levels of adipocytokines and inflammation. Interaction of various molecules in the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance plays a major role in GDM. Angiopoietin-like protein 8, also named betatrophin is a hormone which is synthesized from liver and adipocytes. This molecule has beta cell-regenerating effect and is proposed to have therapeutic potential in obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of betatrophin and free fatty acids (FFA) as markers of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Medical College Hospital on pregnant women with the normal body mass index. The study subjects were divided into 2 groups -one with healthy pregnant women and the other GDM and recruited for the study at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation. The levels of betatrophin, insulin and FFA were estimated in the serum and HOMA-IR was calculated. Results: Insulin resistance (IR), serum betatrophin level and plasma omega-6 fatty acid levels were higher, and plasma omega-3 fatty acid levels were lower among GDM subjects in comparison to healthy pregnant women. Fasting plasma glucose, serum betatrophin level and dihomo gamma linolenic acid level showed significant positive correlation with IR while omega 3 fatty acid %, levels of alpha linolenic acid, gamma linolenic acid and lauric acid showed negative correlation with IR in GDM women. Conclusion: Altered fatty acid profile in gestational diabetes mellitus indicated potential application of fatty acids as biomarkers of metabolic derangements which arise due to insulin resistance. The findings have diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications.

Red blood cell omega-3 fatty acids and attention scores in healthy adolescents

Omega-3 fatty acids are critical for brain function. Adolescence is increasingly believed to entail brain vulnerability to dietary intake. In contrast to the abundant research on the omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in cognition, research on DHA and attention in healthy adolescents is scarce. In addition, the role of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the vegetable omega-3 fatty acid, is unexplored. We examined associations between DHA and ALA and attention function among a healthy young population. In this cross-sectional study conducted in 372 adolescents (13.8 ± 0.9 years-old), we determined the red blood cell proportions of DHA and ALA by gas chromatography (objective biomarkers of their long-term dietary intake) and measured attention scores through the Attention Network Test. We constructed multivariable linear regression models to analyze associations, controlling for known confounders. Compared to participants at the lowest DHA tertile (reference), those at the highest DHA tertile showed significantly lower hit reaction time-standard error (higher attentiveness) (28.13 ms, 95% confidence interval [CI] = – 52.30; – 3.97), lower hit reaction time ( – 38.30 ms, 95% CI = – 73.28; – 3.33) and lower executive conflict response ( – 5.77 ms, 95% CI = – 11.44; – 0.09). In contrast, higher values were observed in those at the top tertile of ALA in hit reaction time compared to the lowest one (46.14 ms, 95% CI = 9.90; 82.34). However, a beneficial association was observed for ALA, with decreasing impulsivity index across tertiles. Overall, our results suggest that DHA (reflecting its dietary intake) is associated with attention performance in typically developing adolescents. The role of dietary ALA in attention is less clear, although higher blood levels of ALA appear to result in lower impulsivity. Future intervention studies are needed to determine the causality of these associations and to better shape dietary recommendations for brain health during the adolescence period.

Association of Dietary Intake and Biomarker of α-Linolenic Acid With Incident Colorectal Cancer: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies.

Background and ObjectiveThere is keen interest in better understanding the impacts of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-derived n-3 fatty acid, in ameliorating the development of cancer; however, results of several prospective cohorts present an inconsistent association between ALA intake and the incident colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to investigate the summary association of dietary intake and biomarkers of ALA with CRC risk based on the prospective cohorts.MethodsPertinent prospective cohorts were identified in Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE from inception to February 2022. Study-specific risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for comparing the top with the bottom quartiles of ALA levels were combined using a random-effects model. Nonlinear dose-response relationships of ALA levels in diet and blood with CRC risk were assessed using the restricted cubic spline models, respectively.ResultsOver the duration of follow-up with a median of 9.3 years ranging from 1 to 28 years, 12,239 CRC cases occurred among 861,725 participants from 15 cohorts (11 studies on diet and 5 studies on biomarkers including 4 on blood and 1 on adipose tissue). The summary RR was 1.03 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.10; I2: 0.00%) for dietary intake and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.69, 0.99; I2: 0.00%) for biomarker. Each 0.1% increase in the levels of ALA in blood was associated with a 10% reduction in risk of CRC (summary RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.80, 0.99; I2: 38.60%), whereas no significant dose-response association was found between dietary intake of ALA and the incident CRC (p for non-linearity = 0.18; p for linearity = 0.24).ConclusionsBlood levels of ALA were inversely and linearly associated with the risk of CRC, which suggested that increased intake of ALA to improve circulating levels was beneficial for CRC prevention.

Alpha-Linolenic Acid Modulates T Cell Incorporation in a 3D Tissue-Engineered Psoriatic Skin Model.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease with an increased number of leukocytes infiltrating the dermal and epidermal compartments compared with normal skin. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are frequently used in the clinic in order to attenuate the symptoms of psoriasis. For psoriatic patients, a supplementation of the diet with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) reduces the activation of T cell signaling pathways, leading to a significant reduction in inflammatory cytokine secretion. However, the precise mechanism of action of n-3 PUFAs in psoriasis is still not understood. In the present study, we elucidated the bioaction of ALA on the adaptive immune component of psoriasis by using a psoriatic skin model produced with the addition of activated T cells. Healthy and psoriatic skin substitutes were produced according to the self-assembly method, using culture media supplemented with 10 μM of ALA. T cells were isolated from blood samples using a negative selection isolation method. ALA supplementation regulated the hyperproliferation and abnormal cell differentiation of psoriatic keratinocytes stimulated by T cells. Additionally, the exogenous ALA was correctly incorporated into the phospholipids of keratinocytes, which resulted in increased levels of ALA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and n-3 docosapentaenoic acid (n-3 DPA). The infiltration of T cells into the epidermis was reduced when ALA was added to the culture medium, and significant decreases in the levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as CXCL1, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were consequently measured in psoriatic substitutes supplemented with this n-3 PUFA. Altogether, our results showed that in this psoriatic skin model enriched with T cells, ALA exerted its beneficial effect by decreasing the quantities of inflammatory mediators released by T cells.

Impact of an Omega-3-Enriched Sheep Diet on the Microbiota and Chemical Composition of Kefalograviera Cheese.

Kefalograviera is a well-known hard Greek cheese. The aim of this study was to determine how milk produced from ewes fed omega-3-enriched diets could influence the microbiota as well as the chemical composition of Kefalograviera cheese. At the start of the trial, 30 dairy ewes (Lesvos and Chios crossbreed) were selected and fed a conventional diet, based on alfalfa hay, straw and concentrate feed that contained soybean meal for a period of thirty days. Then, for a period of sixty days the same ewes were fed an omega-3-enriched concentrate feed with a lower level of soybean meal that contained 10% flaxseed and 10% lupins. Milk yield was collected individually on Days 30, 60 and 90 and used to produce three different batches of Kefalograviera cheeses, at the same cheese factory, by using a traditional recipe and identical preparation conditions (pasteurization of milk, salt, rennet and culture). Sample analysis was done after six months of Kefalograviera cheese ripening. MALDI-TOF-MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry) identification was performed by contrasting the samples’ mass spectra with the corresponding reference database. The correlation between the different Kefalograviera cheeses revealed the predominant species being Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus paracasei, Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis, with significant quantitative differences between the experimental groups and the controls. Pediococcus spp. was isolated only from the experimental groups’ cheeses and Staphylococcus spp. only from the controls’ cheese, suggesting—among other differences—a bacterial microbiota distinction between the groups. Moreover, increased levels of alpha-linolenic acid and total polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids were noted in the enriched Kefalograviera cheeses. These promising findings suggest that enriched Kefalograviera cheese could be manufactured via enriching the ewes’ diets, with potential benefits for the consumers’ health.

Dietary intake and biomarkers of alpha linolenic acid and risk of all cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of cohort studies

ObjectiveTo examine the associations between dietary intake and tissue biomarkers of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and risk of mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis...

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Levels and the Risk of Keratinocyte Cancer: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis.

Keratinocyte cancer is the commonest cancer, imposing a high economic burden on the health care system. Observational studies have shown mixed associations between polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and keratinocyte cancer, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We explored whether genetically predicted PUFA levels are associated with BCC and SCC risks. We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization study using PUFA level genome-wide association studies (GWAS) from the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology Consortium (n > 8,000), and the meta-analysis GWASs from UKB, 23andMe, and Qskin for BCC (n = 651,138) and SCC (n = 635,331) risk. One SD increase in genetically predicted levels of linoleic acid [OR = 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.91-0.97, P = 1.4 × 10-4] and alpha-linolenic acid (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86-0.96, P = 5.1 × 10-4) was associated with a reduced BCC risk, while arachidonic acid (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.02-1.06, P = 3.2 × 10-4) and eicosapentaenoic acid (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.04-1.16, P = 1.5 × 10-3) were associated with an increased BCC risk. Higher genetically predicted levels of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid were associated with a reduced BCC risk, but arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid were associated with a higher BCC risk. PUFA-related diet and supplementation could influence BCC etiology.

Circulating Plasma Free Fatty Acids, Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Markers in Obese Women

Objectives:Elevation of free fatty acids (FFAs) in serum is an importantrisk factor for metabolic changes.Conversely, the relationship between obesity and metabolic abnormalities, and FFAsis not yet completely understood.Thus,we aimed in this study to explore the relationship and the association between insulin resistance (IR), metabolic markers and the variation inplasmaFFAs among the obese women. Methods:This study included fifty obese women aged 25–35 years and has insulin resistance (IR)in addition to fifty age-matched healthy normal weightwomen served as control group.Blood was withdrawn after twelve hours fasting;fasting blood glucose, lipidsand plasma insulinwere estimated;IR was assessedvia the Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR).Fatty acids in plasma were measured by HPLC using UV detector that was set at 200 nm.Indeed, anthropometric measurements was performed . Results:Lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, insulin resistance, oleic acids (OA), linoleic acid (LA), arachidonic acid (AA) and anthropometric measurements were significantly increased in IR women compared to control. Whereas, the mean value levels of alpha-linolenicacid(ALA)was significantly decreased in IR women compare to controls. Conclusion:lower plasma levels of ALA and higher levels of AA, OA, LA were significantly associated with risk of IR and metabolic disorder markers in obese women.These results might explain the positive benefits of foods rich with poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA).Obesity and IR may be associated with the alterations in composition of the circulating fatty acid.These findings underscore the potential role of PUFA in the metabolic syndrome pathogenesis.

Effect of alpha-linolenic acid on some productive and reproductive traits of the Iranian bee (Apis mellifara meda)

The present study focused on evaluating the nutritional effects of different levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) on queen’s spawning, the estimation of adult and worker bee population, and the production of honey, body fat, and protein in Apis mellifara meda. In the early spring, a total of 25 honey bee colonies with similar conditions in terms of the quality and age of the queen, as well as the same population and the same amount of honey and pollen were selected in the colony. The selected queens were randomly divided between five experimental treatments to decrease the experimental error: group A (basal diet only – control), group B (basal diet plus 2% ALA), group C (basal diet plus 4% ALA), group D (basal diet plus 6% ALA) and group E (basal diet plus 8% ALA), respectively. The records by the general linear model procedure were statistically analyzed using SAS software. Based on the findings of this experiment, treatment C had the highest level of dietary consumption among treatments (p ˂ 0.05). In addition, the queen’s spawning, infant and adult bee populations, and honey production were remarkably higher in this treatment as compared to other treatments, while protein and body fat were significantly lower in this treatment in comparison with other treatment groups (p ˂ 0.05). Accordingly, adding 4% ALA to the diet could improve the function of reproductive and production traits in Apis mellifara meda.