Levels Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Research Articles

Parenteral Fish-Oil Containing Lipid Emulsions Limit Initial Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Host Immune Responses in Preterm Pigs.

Multicomponent lipid emulsions are available for critical care of preterm infants. We sought to determine the impact of different lipid emulsions on early priming of the host and its response to an acute stimulus. Pigs delivered 7d preterm (n = 59) were randomized to receive different lipid emulsions for 11 days: 100% soybean oil (SO), mixed oil emulsion (SO, medium chain olive oil and fish oil) including 15% fish oil (MO15), or 100% fish oil (FO100). On day 11, pigs received an 8-h continuous intravenous infusion of either lipopolysaccharide (LPS—lyophilized Escherichia coli) or saline. Plasma was collected for fatty acid, oxylipin, metabolomic, and cytokine analyses. At day 11, plasma omega-3 fatty acid levels in the FO100 groups showed the highest increase in eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA (0.1 ± 0.0 to 9.7 ± 1.9, p < 0.001), docosahexaenoic acid, DHA (day 0 = 2.5 ± 0.7 to 13.6 ± 2.9, p < 0.001), EPA and DHA-derived oxylipins, and sphingomyelin metabolites. In the SO group, levels of cytokine IL1β increased at the first hour of LPS infusion (296.6 ± 308 pg/mL) but was undetectable in MO15, FO100, or in the animals receiving saline instead of LPS. Pigs in the SO group showed a significant increase in arachidonic acid (AA)-derived prostaglandins and thromboxanes in the first hour (p < 0.05). No significant changes in oxylipins were observed with either fish-oil containing group during LPS infusion. Host priming with soybean oil in the early postnatal period preserves a higher AA:DHA ratio and the ability to acutely respond to an external stimulus. In contrast, fish-oil containing lipid emulsions increase DHA, exacerbate a deficit in AA, and limit the initial LPS-induced inflammatory responses in preterm pigs.

Old and new adventures with fatty acids and their oxylipins: The road towards personalised clinical nutrition

After paying homage to the work of E. Chevreul, Prof. Robert Gibson went on in a lighthearted way to find similarities in the way they both approached their respective fields of research, as well as their way of life. Prof. Robert Gibson, who was awarded the 2021 Chevreul Medal, reported that “his huge delight was to witness the massive growth of lipid research and to have played a role in elucidating the role of dietary fats in the health of mothers and their babies”. Prof. Gibson highlighted some of the major results he collected from Australian clinical studies conducted on the role of omega-3 fatty acids on the health outcomes of mothers and their infants. He first discussed the role of fish oil on visual acuity of babies and demonstrated that infant formulas supplying more than 1% of linolenic acid (ALA) seemed adequate to ensure optimal visual and cognitive development of term infants. However, in preterm infants, whether there is a specific need for DHA above the benefit provided by ALA, still needs to be clarified. He reported a small beneficial impact on the cognitive development of preterm infants receiving DHA enriched breast milk of their mothers (1% of total fatty acids). He then discussed data from his large randomised clinical trials conducted on pregnant women receiving a DHA dietary treatment (800 mg/d DHA) or placebo, that suggested that DHA may decrease the risk of preterm birth (DOMInO trial, 2400 women). This effect was confirmed in the ORIP trial (5400 women) which found that preterm birth could be prevented by a DHA supplement treatment mainly in women with a singleton pregnancy who had a low omega-3 status in the first trimester. In the last part of his review, Robert Gibson described the use of a new low cost, rapid and efficient method to monitor changes in blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids with clinical outcomes: the Dried Blood Spots (DBS) technology. The validation of this technique has been demonstrated in large trials like N3RO and ORIP involving large cohorts of women, which could not have been obtained easily by classical analysis of lipids. He went on to point out that free fatty acids (generally not explored despite their importance in many metabolic disorders) and oxylipins, are both stable and easily identified when they are preserved in a dry state on a paper matrix (DBS), thus opening new fields of research. To conclude, the major impact of Prof. Robert Gibson’s work was identifying and overcoming one of the causes of early preterm birth (omega-3 deficiency), developing a tool to rapidly assess omega-3 status (the DBS technique) that together is close to being implemented into the world health system.

Evaluation of blood omega-3 and omega-6 levels in healthy female dogs and female dogs with mammary tumours

Evaluation of blood omega-3 and omega-6 levels in healthy female dogs and female dogs with mammary tumours

Growth, Carcass and Meat Characteristics of Grass-Fed Lambs Weaned from Extensive Rangeland and Grazed on Permanent Pastures or Alfalfa.

Simple SummaryMeat consumers are nowadays more conscious about the effects of fatty acids on health, preferring meat with low saturated fat content and high levels of omega-3. Grass-fed ruminants have been shown to produce a more desirable fatty acid composition than those that are grain fed. Our study evaluates different lamb finishing systems. Overall, better sensory attribute scores were detected for lambs slaughtered at weaning. Meat from the three lamb production systems studied achieved health claimable levels of omega-3 fatty acids, especially in lambs slaughtered at weaning. There were no differences between the three systems of production for juiciness, however lamb finished on pasture presented a lower flavor score than animals finished on alfalfa or those slaughtered at weaning. The low level of cholesterol found in the three systems studied, along with low levels of total fat and saturated fat, classified these meats as extra lean. Opportunities exist for both, sheep producers and the industry, to take advantage of a more balanced fatty acid composition and health attributes of lamb meat produced in extensive farming systems. Developing finishing strategies on pastoral based systems is crucial to improve production characteristics, such as growth and carcass yield, without compromising the nutritive value of meat.Western Patagonia lamb production systems are based on extensive rangeland. The harsh climate limits the adoption of more intensive systems. Therefore, producers must focus on developing differentiated products. The aim of this study was to evaluate growth patterns, carcasses and nutritive value of meat from 45 lambs. Lambs were divided into three groups: 15 lambs were slaughtered at weaning (W), with the remaining 30 weaned lambs being allocated to grazing either alfalfa (AG) or permanent pasture (PPG). AG lambs were significantly heavier and had higher condition scores than PPG lambs. Further, AG lambs showed higher carcass weight and larger tissue depth and commercial cuts. Moreover, W lambs had lower shear force and more tender meat than either AG or PPG lambs. The three systems showed a low shear force and acceptable sensory traits. Low levels of cholesterol, with low levels of saturated fat, classified these cuts of meat as extra lean. W lambs had higher omega-3 fatty acid content than AG or PPG lambs. Overall, results showed that meat from the three lamb production systems showed health claimable levels of omega-3 fatty acids and were low in fat and thereby, can be classified as lean meat.

Levels of omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D, dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in oily fish; a new perspective on the reporting of nutrient and contaminant data for risk–benefit assessments of oily seafood

Oily seafood is an important food source which contains several key nutrients beneficial for human health. On the other hand, oily seafood also contains persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including the dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like-polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), potentially detrimental to human health. For a comprehensive comparison of the beneficial and potentially adverse health effects of seafood consumption, risk–benefit analyses are necessary. Risk-benefit analyses require reliable quantitative data and sound knowledge of uncertainties and potential biases.Our dataset comprised more than 4000 analyses of DLCs and more than 1000 analyses each of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and vitamin D in the three most important Norwegian commercial oily seafood species: Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus), Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The levels of several DLC congeners were below the limit of quantification (LOQ), making estimation of true levels challenging. We demonstrate that the use of upper bound substitution of censored data will overestimate, while lower bound substitution will underestimate the actual levels of DLCs. Therefore, we implement an alternative robust statistical method by combining Maximum Likelihood Estimation, Regression on Order Statistics and Kaplan-Meier analyses, which is better suited for providing estimations of levels of these contaminants in seafood. Moreover, we illustrate the impact of the toxic equivalency factor (TEF) system on estimation of the sums of DLCs by comparing the TEF system to an alternative system of relative effect potency (REP) factors (Consensus Toxicity Factors).The levels of nutrients and contaminants were related to adequate intake (AI) and tolerable weekly intake (TWI), respectively. We used AI and the TWI values established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The benefit and the risk were further viewed in the context of the Norwegian average intake of oily fish, and the Norwegian governmental official dietary recommendations of oily fish. Our results showed that both benefit and risk are met at the levels found of nutrients and DLCs in oily seafood. The comprehensive quantitative data presented here will be a key for future risk–benefit assessment of oily fish consumption.Together, our results underline that a refined formalized integrative risk–benefit assessment of oily fish in the diet is warranted, and that the data and methodology presented in this study are highly relevant for future integrated and multidisciplinary assessment of both risks and benefits of seafood consumption for human health.

Entomophagy: A Future Feed Security System

From the point of view of the current environmental situation which leads to non-availability of agricultural land, water resource, emission of greenhouse gases ultimately causing global warming, Entomophagy i.e. practice of eating edible insects comes as a rescue to the future feed security system. Edible insects, considered as an inexhaustible natural resource have larger food value with high content of fat, protein, crude fiber, vitamins and minerals making it nutritionally comparable with other protein sources. Some edible insects also have increased levels of omega-6 &amp; 3 fatty acids. Studies have calculated that livestock rearing leads to about 18% greenhouse gas emission whereas barring a few insects like cockroaches, termites which produce small amount of CH4, others have practically no such harmful environmental impact. Socio- economic picture of edible insect trade comes clearly from South-East Asia with its well-established farms and trade routes. The market value for insects often exceeds from that of its other protein counterparts, as a result of which, insect farming can prove to be a rich source of income for farmers. Insect rearing requires very little technical knowledge and principal investment, so it can be taken on by anyone. In future, as prices of conventional protein rises, insects may well prove to be a cheaper source. Here in this review paper, Insect’s contribution to food security, solution to the problem of protein shortages, recent growth in demand for edible insects, consumer awareness and acceptance of insects as food has been discussed.

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the negative effects of dexamethasone-induced physiological stress in laying hens by acting through the nutrient digestibility and gut morphometry

In this study, the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on egg production, nutrients digestibility, eggs yolk lipid peroxidation, and intestinal morphology in laying hens under physiological stress were investigated. Ninety-six 35-wk-old Lohmann LSL-Lite laying hens were used in 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with 2 levels of dexamethasone (DEX) (0 and 1.5 mg/kg of the diet) and 3 levels of omega-3 fatty acids (0, 0.24, or 0.48% of the diet) in a completely randomized design. At 41 wk of age, the stress groups were continuously fed with a DEX 1.5 mg/kg diet for 1 wk. Egg production, egg mass, feed intake, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio were recorded. In addition, the AME, digestibility of CP, crude fat (CF), and organic matter were measured during the stress induction period. At the end of 41 wk of age, malondialdehyde and cholesterol concentrations in the egg yolk and intestinal morphology were investigated. The results showed that egg production, egg mass (P < 0.0001), egg weight (P = 0.043), and BW (P = 0.0005) were lower in DEX layers. Feed intake was reduced by the interaction between DEX and omega-3 fatty acid (P = 0.042). Malondialdehyde value (P = 0.002) and cholesterol concentration (P = 0.001) in egg yolk increased by DEX administration. The combination of DEX administration and omega-3 fatty acids supplementation was found in the indices of intestinal morphology such as villus height and width and crypt depth (P < 0.05). Administration of DEX decreased the CP digestibility (P < 0.0001) and AME (P = 0.006). Digestibility of CF and AME in the group of 0.48% omega-3 fatty acids were higher (P < 0.05) than those of 0 and 0.24%. In conclusion, we found that dietary omega-3 fatty acids had beneficial effects on gut morphology and nutrient digestibility in laying hens under physiological stress. However, they could not alleviate the negative effects of physiological stress on performance.

“Yellow Araçá” flour (Psidium cattleyanum cv. Ya-cy) in cereal bars - nutritional and functional potential

Yellow Araçá (Psidium cattleyanum cv. Ya-cy) is a Brazilian native fruit that can be consumed fresh or turned into food products. However, distribution and consumption of fresh fruits are still limited due to faulty post-harvest handling. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and functional potential of fresh Yellow Araçá fruit, turned into flour, in formulations of cereal bars. Ripe fruits preserved higher nutritional and functional indexes, presenting high antioxidant potential. As observed during the sensory analysis, addition up to 20% of fruit flour into the cereal bar was well accepted by the consumers. The cereal bar showed significant levels of omega-6 (n-6) and omega-9 (n-9), and minerals nutrients such as iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc. Significant levels of phenolic compounds and low levels of sodium and saturated fatty, free from trans fatty acids, were also observed. The cereal bar presented high amount of crude fiber content, indicating a high potential for use as a functional food.

Abstract 16407: Plasma Omega-3 Fatty Acids Predict Cardiovascular Events Stratified by Coronary Artery Calcium

Background: In REDUCE-IT, high-dose eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was beneficial in high-risk patients without clinical CVD independent of triglyceride levels. Whether the benefit of higher plasma EPA extends to those without subclinical CVD is unclear. Hypothesis: In those without clinical CVD, plasma omega-3 fatty acid (O3FA) levels predict long-term CVD events, and subclinical CVD measured by coronary artery calcium (CAC) modifies the effect such that individuals with the highest CAC attain the greatest benefit from higher O3FA. Methods: We examined 6568 MESA participants with plasma EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels measured at baseline and classified them by tertiles of EPA and DHA and by CAC category (0, 1-99, ≥100). Our outcome was time to CVD event (myocardial infarction, angina, cardiac arrest, stroke, CVD death). Cox regression models were used to assess the associations between log-transformed EPA and DHA and CVD events adjusted for demographic factors, CVD risk factors, and medication use. Results: Mean age was 62.1±10.2 and 52.9% were females. Higher log(EPA) (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.74-0.93; P = 0.002) and log(DHA) (aHR = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66-0.96; P = 0.019) were independently associated with fewer CVD events. The difference in absolute CVD event rates between the lowest and highest EPA tertile increased at higher CAC levels (Figure). The adjusted HR for highest compared to lowest EPA tertile within CAC 0 was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.72-1.45), CAC 1-99 was 0.71 (95% CI, 0.51-0.98), and CAC≥100 was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.52-0.83). A similar association was seen in tertiles of DHA by CAC category. These findings were consistent by sex and race category and after adjusting for O3FA supplement use. Conclusion: In an ethnically diverse population free of clinical CVD at baseline, higher plasma O3FA levels were associated with fewer CVD events. The absolute reduction in CVD events with higher O3FA levels was more apparent at higher CAC scores.

Crosstalk Between Dietary Pattern, Anthropometric Parameters, and Adiponectin Concentration Among Patients with Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Adiponectin is known to mediate antidiabetic and cardioprotective metabolic effects. Current evidence suggests that diet, both its quantity and quality, affects adiponectin concentration. Methods: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of adiponectin with cardiometabolic risk factors, anthropometric features, and diet characteristics in obese patients with multiple cardiometabolic risk factors. The group of 113 nondiabetic patients (90 males, mean age: 48 ± 9 years) fulfilling the criteria of metabolic syndrome (IDF, 2005) was divided into 2 subgroups according to median adiponectin concentration calculated for that cohort (6.83 μg/mL)-low-adiponectin (LA) and high-adiponectin (HA) subgroup. Biochemical and anthropometric measurements were recorded and nutrients intake was assessed using 24-hr dietary recall method and diet history questionnaire. Results: No significant differences between LA and HA were noted regarding the anthropometric parameters. However, there were significant differences in biochemical indices, and HA was characterized by a more favorable insulin level, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value, and plasma lipid profile than LA. Both LA and HA subgroups were comparable in terms of energy, protein, carbohydrate, and total fat intake, but there were significant differences between the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) consumption (6.06 ± 1.0 and 6.37 ± 1.1, respectively) and omega-3/omega-6 ratio (as follows: 0.09 ± 0.01 and 0.16 ± 0.04). Conclusions: These results highlight interactions between diet, adiponectin concentration, and biochemical profile. Nondiabetic patients with metabolic syndrome with higher PUFA consumption, including higher omega-3/omega-6 ratio, were characterized by higher circulating adiponectin level and more favorable biochemical profile. Thus, it might be assumed that the protective role of omega-3 fatty acids might be mediated by adiponectin in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Identifying environmental risk factors for inflammatory bowel diseases: a Mendelian randomization study

Several studies have examined environmental factors and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) using traditional approaches; however, provided results are still conflicting. Our aim was to determine whether lifestyle and nutrient exposures, related to IBD in observational meta-analyses, influence IBD risk using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. A two-sample MR approach was applied on summary-level genome-wide association results. Genetic variants strongly associated with measures of tobacco smoking, obesity and fat distribution, physical activity, and blood levels of vitamins and fatty acids were evaluated on genetic data from international IBD consortia including a total of 25,042 IBD cases (12,194 cases of Crohn’s disease (CD) and 12,366 cases of ulcerative colitis (UC)) and 34,915 controls. Our results indicated that, among lifestyle exposures, being a smoker was positively associated with CD (OR 1.13, P = 0.02), but it was not associated with UC risk (OR 0.99, P = 0.88). Body-mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage were positively associated with CD (OR 1.11, P = 0.02, per standard deviation (SD) of 4.6 kg/m2; and OR 1.50, P = 3 × 10–10, per SD of 6.6%; respectively); while for UC, BMI was inversely associated (OR 0.85, P = 5 × 10–5; per SD) and body fat percentage showed a OR of 1.11 (P = 0.11; per SD). Additionally, among nutrient exposures, omega-3 fatty acids levels were inversely associated with CD (OR 0.67, P = 2 × 10–6). Our MR results did not support a protective effect for being a smoker on UC risk; however, they are compatible with a risk effect for higher body fat proportion and a protective role for higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids on CD etiology.

Blood polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, brain atrophy, cognitive decline, and dementia risk.

We searched for consistent associations of an omega-3 index in plasma (sum of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) with several dementia-related outcomes in a large cohort of older adults. We included 1279 participants from the Three-City study, non-demented at the time of blood measurements at baseline, with face-to-face neuropsychological assessment and systematic detection of incident dementia over a 17-year follow-up. An ancillary study included 467 participants with up to three repeated brain imaging exams over 10 years. In multivariable models, higher levels of plasma EPA+DHA were consistently associated with a lower risk of dementia (hazard ratio for 1 standard deviation=0.87 [95% confidence interval, 0.76-0.98]), and a lower decline in global cognition (P=.04 for change over time), memory (P=.06), and medial temporal lobe volume (P=.02). This prospective study provides compelling evidence for a relationship between long-chain omega-3 fatty acids levels and lower risks for dementia and related outcomes.

Fatty acid profile and antioxidant status in Venus verrucosa gills as λ-cyhalothrin toxic effects.

The aim of this study was to analyze the biochemical alterations in the gills of Venus verrucosa under exposure for 6 days to three doses of lambda-cyhalothrin (λ-cyh) (100, 250, and 500 µg L-1). Malondialdehyde, lipid hydroperoxide, and hydrogen peroxide levels in the gills of treated groups increased. λ-Cyh exposure significantly increased the protein carbonyl and reduced glutathione levels in the gills of all treated groups. Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were increased. In our study, the polyunsaturated fatty acid (FA), omega-6, eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3) were increased in the treated groups. A significant decrease in the saturated FAs, omega-3, and arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6) levels was observed. The content of monounsaturated FA was changed in the groups treated with 100 and 250 µg L-1 of λ-cyh. As a corollary, desaturase and elongase activities were significantly increased. Our study provides evidence of the underlying toxic mechanism of λ-cyh and its capacity to create oxidative stress and revealed that FA profiling is a new approach for elucidating the λ-cyh toxicity.

Gestational diabetes mellitus prediction? A unique fatty acid profile study

ObjectiveTo elucidate whether women at risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a unique fatty acid profile compared to women considered normal healthy controls (NHC).MethodsThree hundred pregnant women were randomized to a control group (NHC) (n = 50) and to one of three high risk groups (n = 250), one of which was GDM (n = 50). At recruitment participants’ booking bloods were taken and analyzed for lipid profiles. The GDM group’s fatty acid profile is reported here.ResultsGDM women compared to NHC had elevated levels of omega 6 (n-6) fatty acids compared to omega 3 (n-3) fatty acids (p = 0.01), of linoleic acid (LA) to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) p = 0.001, sequentially distorted levels of n-6 fatty acids LA and arachidonic acid (ArA) p = 0.035, as well as significantly depressed levels of n-3 DHA (p = 0.01).ConclusionThis paper shows that GDM women have a unique fatty acid profile with elevated levels of n-6 fats, depressed levels of n-3 fats and an abnormal pattern of sequential n-6 metabolism. This profile probably results from a combination of factors including underexpression and or poor utilization of desaturase enzymes, suboptimal dietary fatty acids intake, poor micronutrient status or dysbiosis of the microbiome. These results help inform development of a clinical predictive tool.

Age-related changes in egg yolk composition between conventional and organic table eggs

The aim of this study was to investigate fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins, malondialdehyde and cholesterol in conventional and organic eggs obtained from hens of different ages (30 and 60 weeks). A total of 360 egg yolks were used in this study. Polyunsaturated fatty acid, omega-3, and omega-6 levels were higher in the organic eggs from the 30-week-old hens. The monounsaturated fatty acid level was higher in the conventional eggs but was the same between the two age groups. Cholesterol and vitamin A levels were not influenced by either the rearing system or the age of the hens. The malondialdehyde, vitamin D2, and vitamin K2 were higher in the organic eggs; however, vitamin E was higher in the conventional eggs. The results showed that the rearing system and age, as well as the diet, had an impact on the composition of the egg. Total levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid, omega-3, and omega-6 are higher in organic eggs produced by younger hens.

Circulating plasma fatty acids and risk of pancreatic cancer: Results from the Golestan Cohort Study

Pancreatic cancer (PC) with a dismal prognosis is considered as a fatal malignancy, attracting the scientists' attention to study its causes and pathogenesis pathways. Given the lack of enough evidence and conflicting findings about the association of PC risk with plasma fatty acids, we aimed to explore the associations of circulating plasma fatty acids with the risk of PC in a cohort study. From about 50,000 subjects participated in this cohort study in 2004-2008, fifty incident cases of PC were recruited and 150 controls matched by age, sex and residence place (urban/rural) were randomly selected. The plasma fatty acids composition was measured by gas chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) in plasma samples collected at the baseline of cohort study. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to estimate OR (with 95% CI) of PC risk associated with plasma levels of fatty acids considering known potential risk factors for PC. Our findings showed that total saturated fatty acids and total industrial trans fats were not associated with the risk of PC; whereas, statistically significant inverse associations were found between high plasma levels of total mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), omega-3 and ruminant trans fatty acids with the risk of PC [ORQ1-Q4=0.31 (0.11-0.89), OR Q2-Q1=0.30 (0.10-0.91) and ORQ2-Q1=0.15 (0.04-0.49), respectively]. Omega-6 fatty acids especially high plasma levels of Arachidonic acid was positively associated with the risk of PC [ORQ1-Q3=11.07 (3.50-35.02)]. Except for the plasma circulating whole fats, the levels of different classes of fats may significantly change pancreatic cancer susceptibility. Unsaturated fatty acids including omega-3-PUFA and MUFA are considered as protective biomarkers in PC prevention. On the contrary, omega-6-fatty acids are positively associated with the risk of PC.

Wnt signaling activates MFSD2A to suppress vascular endothelial transcytosis and maintain blood-retinal barrier.

Breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) causes retinal edema and vision loss. We investigated the role of Wnt signaling in maintaining the BRB by limiting transcytosis. Mice lacking either the Wnt co-receptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (Lrp5-/- ) or the Wnt ligand Norrin (Ndpy/- ) exhibit increased retinal vascular leakage and enhanced endothelial transcytosis. Wnt signaling directly controls the transcription of an endothelium-specific transcytosis inhibitor, major facilitator superfamily domain-containing protein 2a (MFSD2A), in a β-catenin-dependent manner. MFSD2A overexpression reverses Wnt deficiency-induced transcytosis in endothelial cells and in retinas. Moreover, Wnt signaling mediates MFSD2A-dependent vascular endothelium transcytosis through a caveolin-1 (CAV-1)-positive caveolae pathway. In addition, levels of omega-3 fatty acids are also decreased in Wnt signaling-deficient retinas, reflecting the basic function of MFSD2A as a lipid transporter. Our findings uncovered the Wnt/β-catenin/MFSD2A/CAV-1 axis as a key pathway governing endothelium transcytosis and inner BRB integrity.

Dietary inclusion of Durvillaea antarctica meal and rapeseed (Brassica napus) oil on growth, feed utilization and fillet quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Durvillaea antarctica is a brown seaweed that can be located in the Southern Hemisphere and has a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and γ-tocopherol. Aquaculture currently uses vegetable oils for feeding rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), but this reduces the omega-3 levels in the fillet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of D. antarctica meal on the fillet quality of rainbow trout fed with rapeseed oil. A total of 375 rainbow trout (17.6±0.46 g) were randomly assigned to five treatments with three replicates (25 fish per replicate) in 15 tanks and reared for 9 weeks. Rainbow trout fed with 100% fish oil were considered as a positive control. A negative control corresponded to a diet with a mix of 10% fish oil and 90% rapeseed oil. This diet was used for the other three treatments with the inclusion of 1.5, 3 and 6% of D. antarctica meal respectively. At the end of the feeding trial, the fish were euthanized to evaluate growth, feed utilization and fillet quality. The diets did not affect the growth and feed utilization. However, the fillet of fish fed with 6% D. antarctica meal showed a less acidic pH, higher luminosity, less yellowing and color saturation, compared with the other groups. The fillet of fish fed with D. antarctica meal and rapeseed oil, showed less oxidation. The fatty acid profile was affected by the inclusion of rapeseed oil, reducing the levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, diets with D. antarctica meal were able to partially compensate the fish oil intake by reducing some saturated fatty acids, increasing the EPA content and reducing the atherogenic index and thrombogenic index, improving the nutritional value of the fillet. Although the use of D. antarctica meal does not significantly compensate for the effects of rapeseed oil on the fillet, it could be used as an alternative to increase the nutritional value and quality of rainbow trout.

Patterns of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acid Dietary Intake and Melanoma Thickness at Diagnosis.

Experimental evidence suggests that dietary intakes of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids have divergent effects on melanoma growth, but epidemiologic evidence on their combined effect is lacking. In 634 Australian patients with primary melanoma, we assessed prediagnosis consumption of 39 food groups by food frequency questionnaires completed within 2 months of diagnosis. We derived, by reduced rank regression, dietary patterns that explained variability in selected omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid intakes. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between tertiles of dietary patterns and melanoma thickness >2 mm versus ≤2 mm were estimated using Poisson regression. Overall omega-3 fatty acid intakes were low. Two major fatty acid dietary patterns were identified: "meat, fish, and fat," positively correlated with intakes of all fatty acids; and "fish, low-meat, and low-fat," positively correlated with long-chain omega-3 fatty acid intake, and inversely with medium-chain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid intakes. Prevalence of thick melanomas was significantly higher in those in the highest compared with lowest tertile of the "meat, fish, and fat" pattern (PR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.01-1.94), especially those with serious comorbidity (PR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.15-2.92) or a family history (PR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.00-5.35). The "fish, low-meat, and low-fat" pattern was not associated with melanoma thickness. People with high meat, fish, and fat intakes, who thus consumed relatively high levels of omega-3 and high omega-6 fatty acid intakes, are more likely to be diagnosed with thick than thin melanomas. High omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid intakes may contribute to patients' presentation with thick melanomas.

Microencapsulated algal feeds as a sustainable replacement diet for broodstock in commercial bivalve aquaculture

The global bivalve shellfish industry makes up 25% of aquaculture, is worth USD $17.2 billion year−1, and relies upon a supply of juvenile bivalves produced by adult broodstock in hatcheries. Today large quantities of live algae are grown to feed broodstock at $220 kg−1, driving highly unsustainable energy and resource use. New advances in algal and microencapsulation technology provide solutions. We developed microencapsulated Schizochytrium algae diets, which can be produced sustainably at < $2 kg−1 from organic side-streams, and are shelf-stable to minimise waste. Physiological, histological, and cutting-edge metabolomic analyses demonstrate that in commercial settings sustainable microencapsulated diets facilitate improved sexual development and 12 × greater omega-3 levels in oysters relative to conventional live algal diets. Every tonne bivalve protein produced instead of fish spares 9 ha, 67 tonnes CO2, and 40,000 L freshwater. Further research into microencapsulated diets could support bivalve industry expansion, and contribute towards a step-change in sustainable global food production through improved aquaculture practices.