Long-chain Monounsaturated Fatty Acids Research Articles

The effect of fish oil rich in cetoleic acid on the omega-3 index and skin quality

Objective: The objective of the study was to provide preliminary data on the effect of a long chain monounsaturated oil rich in cetoleic acid on the omega-3 index, a validated measure of EPA and DHA in blood cells, as well as a potential effect of the oil on skin quality.Design: Two intervention studies were performed, each as double blinded, placebo controlled, randomised nutritional trials. The CetoIndex study (N=55) measured omega-3 index using a blood spot collection kit (Omegaquant). The Optihud study (N=28) measured skin quality parameters in healthy women using the VISIA system. The CRO was an oil derived from North Atlantic fish with a predominance of long chain mono-unsaturated fatty acids including cetoleic acid (C22:1 n-11) and gondoic acid (C20:1 n-9).Results: In a placebo-controlled study, the omega-3 index in healthy volunteers was increased similar to that seen with an oil with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. In a separate placebo-controlled study, the CRO reduced erythema in skin, which is a marker of inflammation.Conclusions: The results of this pilot study suggest that the use of a CRO increases the omega-3 index more than expected from the levels of EPA and DHA in the oil. The CRO reduced may potentially have benefits on skin inflammation.Summary: Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are commonly taken as dietary supplements for a range of health benefits. Other marine fatty acids may also provide health benefits and it is of interest to understand their activity. Long chain mono-unsaturated fatty acids (LCMUFA) have shown biological activity in studies of metabolic health in animal models. Here, we report two intervention studies using a fish oil with a high LCMUFA content where cetoleic acid is the predominant fatty acid (Cetoleic rich oil: CRO). In CetoIndex, a placebo-controlled study in 55 healthy volunteers, the omega-3 index increased similarly to that seen with an oil containing higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. In Optihud, a placebo-controlled study in 28 female volunteers, the CRO reduced erythema in skin, which is a marker of inflammation. The results of this pilot study support the use of a CRO for increasing the omega-3 index with potential benefits on skin inflammation.

Screening of fish oil fatty acids for antihyperlipidemic activity based on network pharmacology and validation of synergistic efficacy in vitro

Fish oil, rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), shows promise as an anti-hyperlipidemic agent. We explored the synergistic lipid-lowering effects between long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids, EPA, and DHA using network pharmacology and experimental validation in HepG2 cells. Various fish oils, particularly Engraulis japonicus and Pacific saury, effectively reduced oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation. Network pharmacology identified 64 potential targets for fish oil fatty acids' synergistic anti-hyperlipidemic action. Validation revealed their superior impact on upregulating CPT1A and RXRA mRNA, promoting lipid metabolism, and suppressing SCD and FABP1 mRNA, inhibiting lipid synthesis. This combination also reduced IL6 expression, maintaining lipid homeostasis. Activating AMPK and PPAR pathways, it achieved lipid-lowering effects. These findings highlight the potential of fish oil fatty acids for anti-hyperlipidemic interventions, offering a novel research perspective.

Plasma metabolomics profiles in Black and White participants of the Adventist Health Study-2 cohort

BackgroundBlack Americans suffer disparities in risk for cardiometabolic and other chronic diseases. Findings from the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2) cohort have shown associations of plant-based dietary patterns and healthy lifestyle factors with prevention of such diseases. Hence, it is likely that racial differences in metabolic profiles correlating with disparities in chronic diseases are explained largely by diet and lifestyle, besides social determinants of health.MethodsUntargeted plasma metabolomics screening was performed on plasma samples from 350 participants of the AHS-2, including 171 Black and 179 White participants, using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and a global platform of 892 metabolites. Differences in metabolites or biochemical subclasses by race were analyzed using linear regression, considering various models adjusted for known confounders, dietary and/or other lifestyle behaviors, social vulnerability, and psychosocial stress. The Storey permutation approach was used to adjust for false discovery at FDR < 0.05.ResultsLinear regression revealed differential abundance of over 40% of individual metabolites or biochemical subclasses when comparing Black with White participants after adjustment for false discovery (FDR < 0.05), with the vast majority showing lower abundance in Blacks. Associations were not appreciably altered with adjustment for dietary patterns and socioeconomic or psychosocial stress. Metabolite subclasses showing consistently lower abundance in Black participants included various lipids, such as lysophospholipids, phosphatidylethanolamines, monoacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, and long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids, among other subclasses or lipid categories. Among all biochemical subclasses, creatine metabolism exclusively showed higher abundance in Black participants, although among metabolites within this subclass, only creatine showed differential abundance after adjustment for glomerular filtration rate. Notable metabolites in higher abundance in Black participants included methyl and propyl paraben sulfates, piperine metabolites, and a considerable proportion of acetylated amino acids, including many previously found associated with glomerular filtration rate.ConclusionsDifferences in metabolic profiles were evident when comparing Black and White participants of the AHS-2 cohort. These differences are likely attributed in part to dietary behaviors not adequately explained by dietary pattern covariates, besides other environmental or genetic factors. Alterations in these metabolites and associated subclasses may have implications for the prevention of chronic diseases in Black Americans.

Higher Availability of Long-Chain Monounsaturated Fatty Acids in Preterm than in Full-Term Human Milk.

While the role of n-3 and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) in the maturation of the infantile nervous system is extensively studied and relatively well-characterized, data on the potential developmental importance of the n-9 long-chain monounsaturated fatty acid (LCMUFA), nervonic acid (NA, C24:1n-9) are scarce and ambiguous. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to reanalyze our available data on the contribution of NA and its LCMUFA precursors, gondoic acid (C20:1n-9) and erucic acid (EA, C22:1n-9) to the fatty acid composition of human milk (HM) during the first month of lactation in mothers of both preterm (PT) and full-term (FT) infants. HM samples were obtained daily during the first week of lactation, and then on the 14th, 21st, and 28th days. Values of the LCMUFAs, C20:1n-9, EA, and NA were significantly higher in colostrum than in transient and mature HM. Consequently, there were highly significant inverse associations between LCMUFA values and the duration of lactation. Moreover, C20:1n-9, EA, and NA values were monotonously, considerably, and at many timepoints significantly higher in PT than in FT HM samples. By the 28th day of lactation, summarized LCMUFA values in PT HM samples declined to the level measured in FT HM samples on the first day of lactation; however, EA and NA values were still significantly higher in PT than in FT HM on the 28th day. Significantly higher availability of LCMUFAs in PT than in FT HM underpins the potential biological role of this hitherto somewhat neglected group of fatty acids.

Use of Caviar and Fillet Biomarker Fatty Acids to Determine the Origin of Sterlet Acipenser ruthenus (Linnaeus, 1758).

Significant differences in the fatty acid (FA) composition of caviar and muscle tissue (fillet) were found in the sterlet Acipenser ruthenus (Linnaeus, 1758) between fish from the Yenisei River and aquaculture farms and were associated with different food sources. Caviar and muscle tissue of sterlet from the natural habitat showed significantly higher levels of the FAs that provide biomarkers of diatoms and bacterial matter. Oleic and linoleic acids, which are characteristic of higher plant oils, and long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids, which are biomarkers of marine copepods, displayed significantly higher contents in sterlet grown in aquaculture, apparently originating from artificial foods. A ratio of several biomarker FAs was for the first time proposed to assay, and its threshold value was established to determine whether sturgeon caviar and fillet originate from fish from natural habitats or aquaculture.

Trophic linkage between mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) and Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) at South Georgia

Mackerel icefish, Champsocephalus gunnari, plays a vital role in the Antarctic marine ecosystem, not only because it is an important prey for higher predators but also because it is the primary predator of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), a keystone species in the Southern Ocean. Therefore, elucidating the trophic linkage between C. gunnari and its exclusive prey can provide a model for the trophic relationship between a predator and its prey in cold environments. Stomach contents analysis showed that E. superba was the predominant prey of C. gunnari in terms of quantity (99.3%) and quality (99.9%) during winter at South Georgia. E. superba had a similar fatty acid profile to that of C. gunnari, with a high proportion of short-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and a lower proportion of long-chain MUFA. However, C. gunnari was more likely to retain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic; E. superba tended to accumulate saturated fatty acids and MUFA. This reflects the fact that fatty acids, when transferred from low trophic level to higher levels, are accumulated in the predator selectively, according to their relative content in the diet and their physiological and ecological function in the predator.

Long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids improve endothelial function with altering microbial flora

Fish oil-derived long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (LCMUFAs) with a carbon chain length longer than 18 units ameliorate cardiovascular risk in mice. In this study, we investigated whether LCMUFAs could improve endothelial functions in mice and humans. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multi-center study, healthy subjects were randomly assigned to either an LCMUFA oil (saury oil) or a control oil (olive and tuna oils) group. Sixty subjects were enrolled and administrated each oil for 4 weeks. For the animal study, ApoE-/- mice were fed a Western diet supplemented with 3% of either gadoleic acid (C20:1) or cetoleic acid (C22:1) for 12 weeks. Participants from the LCMUFA group showed improvements in endothelial function and a lower trimethylamine-N-oxide level, which is a predictor of coronary artery disease. C20:1 and C22:1 oils significantly improved atherosclerotic lesions and plasma levels of several inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF-α. These beneficial effects were consistent with an improvement in the gut microbiota environment, as evident from the decreased ratio of Firmicutes and/ or Bacteroidetes, increase in the abundance of Akkermansia, and upregulation of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-induced glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) expression and serum GLP-1 level. These data suggest that LCMUFAs alter the microbiota environment that stimulate the production of SCFAs, resulting in the induction of GLP-1 secretion. Fish oil-derived long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids might thus help to protect against cardiovascular disease.

Abnormalities of Serum Fatty Acids in Children With Henoch-Schönlein Purpura by GC-MS Analysis.

Purpose: The objectives of this work were to test the levels of serum medium- and long- chain fatty acids (MLCFAs) in children and to discover their possible relationship with Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP), also known as Immunoglobulin A vasculitis.Methods: A total of 57 children with HSP (HSP group) and 28 healthy children (CON group) were recruited for this study. Serum specimens were collected to detect the compositions and contents of MLCFAs by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis.Results: The contents of all detected 37 MLCFAs in the HSP group were higher than the healthy group. Thirty-one species of MLCFAs were discovered to have a significant difference (p < 0.05) in two groups. Comparing to healthy controls, there were 31, 31, 18 fatty acids showed a statistical difference in the untreated group, regular treated group, and withdrawal group of HSP, respectively. The trend of fatty acids in the three HSP groups was similar to the healthy controls, as well as the untreated group and regular treated group changed more obviously than the withdrawal group. Almitate (C16:0) and 18 carbon atoms (C18) of fatty acids were abundant in all three HSP groups, divided according to the treatment of glucocorticoid. Some fatty acids were found having considerable differences (p < 0.05) in three groups. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), including elaidate (C18:1T), cis-11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid ester (C20:1), and cis-15-tetracosenoate (C24:1), were distinctly higher in HSP children with renal damage.Conclusion: Our study revealed that the abnormalities in MLCFA may be associated with the development of HSP. Another interesting finding was that fatty acids contents were changing during the glucocorticoid treatment. Meanwhile, long-chain MUFAs may have an impact on renal damage in HSP patients. Further studies need to be carried out in order to explore the specific mechanism of fatty acids in the course of HSP.

Simultaneous Treatment of Long-chain Monounsaturated Fatty Acid and n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Decreases Lipid and Cholesterol Levels in HepG2 Cell.

The n-3 type polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), from fish oil exhibit health benefits such as triacylglycerol- and cholesterol-lowering effects. Some pelagic fishes contain long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (LC-MUFAs) such as eicosenoic acid (C20:1), which exert health-promoting effects. However, no study has evaluated beneficial effects of n-3PUFA and LC-MUFA combination. Here, we investigated effects of simultaneous treatment with n-3PUFA (EPA and DHA) and LC-MUFA (cis-5-C20:1 and cis-7-C20:1) and found that n-3PUFA and LC-MUFA combination significantly decreased lipid accumulation and reduced total cholesterol in HepG2 cells. Cholesterol level was significantly lower in DHA + cis-7-C20:1 group than in DHA + EPA group. These results suggest the importance of LC-MUFA as a functional molecule in fish oil.

Encapsulation of lipophilic polyphenols in plant-based nanoemulsions: impact of carrier oil on lipid digestion and curcumin, resveratrol and quercetin bioaccessibility.

Lipophilic polyphenol compounds (LPCs) are claimed to exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities that may improve human health and wellbeing, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Nanoemulsion-based delivery systems have been developed to encapsulate LPCs so as to increase their food matrix compatibility, physicochemical stability, and bioavailability. LPCs vary in their structural features, including the number and position of phenolic hydroxyl, ketone, and aliphatic groups, which results in different molecular, physicochemical, and gastrointestinal properties. In this study, we examined the impact of plant-based carrier oils (coconut, sunflower, and flaxseed oils) and LPC type (curcumin, resveratrol, and quercetin) on the in vitro gastrointestinal fate of polyphenols loaded into quillaja saponin-stabilized nanoemulsions. Coconut oil contains high levels of medium-chain saturated fatty acids (MC-SFAs), sunflower oil contains high levels of long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (LC-MUFAs), and flaxseed oil contains high levels of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs). The encapsulation efficiency and gastrointestinal stability of the LPCs were slightly lower in the MC than the LC oils. Differences in the gastrointestinal stability of the three LPCs were linked to differences in their oil-water partition coefficients. Some of the LPCs inhibited lipid digestion for certain oil types. In particular, resveratrol retarded the digestion of all three oils, but it still had the highest GIT stability and bioaccessibility. This study provides valuable information about the gastrointestinal fate of LPC-loaded nanoemulsions and highlights important differences in the behavior of LPCs with different characteristics. This knowledge may facilitate the design of more effective plant-based delivery systems for bioactive lipophilic polyphenols.

Undesirables in Mesopelagic Species and Implications for Food and Feed Safety-Insights from Norwegian Fjords.

The increase in the global population demands more biomass from the ocean as future food and feed, and the mesopelagic species might contribute significantly. In the present study, we evaluated the food and feed safety of six of the most abundant mesopelagic species in Norwegian fjords. Trace elements (i.e., arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead), organic pollutants (i.e., dioxins, furans, dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, and polybrominated flame-retardants), and potentially problematic lipid compounds (i.e., wax esters and erucic acid) were analyzed and compared to existing food and feed maximum levels and intake recommendations. Furthermore, contaminant loads in processed mesopelagic biomass (protein, oil, and fish meal) was estimated using worst-case scenarios to identify possible food and feed safety issues. While most undesirables were low considering European food legislation, we identified a few potential food safety issues regarding high levels of fluoride in Northern krill, wax esters in glacier lanternfish, and long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids in silvery lightfish. Our estimates in processed biomass indicated high levels of undesirable trace elements in the protein fraction, frequently exceeding the maximum levels for feed ingredients. However, in fish meal, almost no exceedances were seen. In the oil fraction, dioxins and furans were above the maximum levels, given for food and feed ingredients. The present study is crucial to enable an evaluation of the value of these species; however, more data is needed before proceeding with large-scale harvesting of mesopelagic biomass.

Possible Health Effects of a Wax Ester Rich Marine Oil.

The consumption of seafood and the use of fish oil for the production of nutraceuticals and fish feed have increased over the past decades due the high content of long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. This increase has put pressure on the sustainability of fisheries. One way to overcome the limited supply of fish oil is to harvest lower in the marine food web. Calanus finmarchicus, feeding on phytoplankton, is a small copepod constituting a considerable biomass in the North Atlantic and is a novel source of omega-3 fatty acids. The oil is, however, different from other commercial marine oils in terms of chemistry and, possibly, bioactivity since it contains wax esters. Wax esters are fatty acids that are esterified with alcohols. In addition to the long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the oil is also rich in stearidonic acid (SDA), long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids, and the long-chain fatty alcohols eicosenol and docosenol. Recent animal studies have indicated anti-inflammatory and anti-obesogenic actions of this copepod oil beyond that provided by EPA and DHA. This review will discuss potential mechanisms behind these beneficial effects of the oil, focusing on the impact of the various components of the oil. The health effects of EPA and DHA are well recognized, whereas long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids and long-chain fatty alcohols have to a large degree been overlooked in relation to human health. Recently, however the fatty alcohols have received interest as potential targets for improved health via conversion to their corresponding fatty acids. Together, the different lipid components of the oil from C. finmarchicus may have potential as nutraceuticals for reducing obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders.

Assimilation and turnover rates of lipid compounds in dominant Antarctic copepods fed with 13 C-enriched diatoms

The study revealed species- and stage-specific differences in lipid accumulation of the dominant Antarctic copepods, the primarily herbivorous Calanoides acutus (copepodite stage V (CV), females) and the more omnivorous Calanus propinquus (females) storing wax esters and triacylglycerols, respectively, which were collected in summer (end of December). Feeding carbon-labelled diatoms to these copepods, 13C elucidated assimilation and turnover rates of copepod total lipids as well as specific fatty acids and alcohols. The 13C incorporation was monitored by compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA). CV stages of C. acutus exhibited an intense total lipid turnover and 55% of total lipids were labelled after 9 days of feeding. By contrast, total lipid assimilation of female C. acutus and C. propinquus was lower with 29% and 32%, respectively. The major dietary fatty acids 16:0, 16:1(n − 7) and 20:5(n − 3) had high turnover rates in all specimens. In C. acutus CV, the high rates of the de novo synthesized long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids and alcohols 20:1(n − 9) and 22:1(n − 11) indicate intense lipid deposition, whereas these rates were low in females. The differences in lipid assimilation and turnover clearly show that the copepod species exhibit a high variability and plasticity to adapt their lipid production to their various life phases.This article is part of the theme issue ‘The next horizons for lipids as ‘trophic biomarkers': evidence and significance of consumer modification of dietary fatty acids'.

Long-Chain Monounsaturated Fatty Acids Improve Endothelial Function with&amp;nbsp;Altering Microbial Flora

Background: Fish oil-derived long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (LCMUFAs) with a carbon chain length longer than 18 units ameliorate cardiovascular risk factors in mice. In this study, we investigated whether LCMUFAs could improve endothelial functions in mice and humans. Methods: In a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multi-centre study, healthy subjects were randomly assigned to either an LCMUFA oil (saury oil) or a control oil (olive and tuna oils) group. Sixty subjects were enrolled and administrated each oil for 4 weeks. For the animal study, Apo-E−/− mice were fed a Western diet supplemented with 3% of either C20:1 or C22:1 fatty acids  for 12 weeks. Findings: Participants from the LCMUFA group showed improvements in endothelial function, an increased GLP-1 level, and lower trimethylamine-N-oxide level, which is a predictor of coronary artery disease. C20:1 and C22:1 oils significantly improved atherosclerotic lesions and several plasma inflammatory cytokine levels including IL-6 and TNF-α. These beneficial effects were consistent with an improvement in the gut microbiota environment, as evident from the altered ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroides, increase in the abundance of Akkermansia, and upregulation of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-induced glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) expression. Interpretation: These data suggest that LCMUFAs alter the microbiota environment that stimulates the production of SCFAs, which results in the induction of GLP-1 secretion. Fish oil-derived long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids might thus help to protect against cardiovascular disease. Trial Registration: This trial was registered at UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (registration number: UMI29181). Funding Statement: This study was supported by JSPS KAKENHI, grant number 19H04055, and the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council, grant 27016A. Declaration of Interests: The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exists. Ethics Approval Statement: This trial was approved by the Committee for Medical Ethics at Tokushima University Hospital, Tokushima, Japan (approval number: 3047). Written informed consent based on the Declaration of Helsinki was obtained from all participants.

Supplementation with saury oil, a fish oil high in omega-11 monounsaturated fatty acids, improves plasma lipids in healthy subjects

Fish oil enriched in omega-11 long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (LCMUFAs; C20:1 and C22:1 isomers combined) have shown lipid-lowering and atheroprotective effects in animal models. To perform a first-in-human trial of LCMUFA-rich saury fish oil supplementation to test its safety and possible effect on plasma lipids. A double-blind, randomized, crossover clinical trial was carried out in 30 healthy normolipidemic adults (BMI <25kg/m2; mean TG, 84mg/dL). Treatment periods of 8weeks were separated by an 8-week washout period. Subjects were randomized to receive either 12g of saury oil (3.5g of LCMUFA and 3.4g of omega-3 FAs) or identical capsules with control oil (a mixture of sardine and olive oil; 4.9g of shorter-chain MUFA oleate and 3g of omega-3 FAs). Saury oil supplementation was safe and resulted in LDL particle counts 12% lower than control oil (P<.001). Saury oil also had a minor effect on increasing HDL particle size (9.8nm vs 9.7nm; P<.05) based on a linear mixed effect model. In contrast, control oil, but not saury oil, increased LDL-C by 7.5% compared with baseline (P<.05). Saury oil had similar effects compared with control oil on lowering plasma TG levels, VLDL, and TG-rich lipoprotein particle counts (by ∼16%, 25%, and 35%, respectively; P<.05), and increasing HDL-C and cholesterol efflux capacity (by ∼6% and 8%, respectively; P<.05) compared with baseline. Saury oil supplementation is well tolerated and has beneficial effects on several cardiovascular parameters, such as LDL particle counts, HDL particle size, and plasma TG levels.

The Influence of Unsaturated Fatty Acids for Atherosclerosis in Recent Years

There have been various discussions of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA) and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) for influencing atherosclerosis. MUFA seems to have beneficial effects on the risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis [1], and the authors have reported the marine-derived long-chain MUFA decrease atherosclerosis lesion development and total cholesterol in mouse [2]. On contrast, n-3 PUFA has been studied by GISSI-P trial, which was the Gruppo Italiano Per Lo Studio Della Sopravvivenza Nell’lnfarto Miocardio-Prevenzione (GISSI-P) Trial [3]. It included 11,324 subjects who had myocardial infarction followed up for 3.5 years. Administration of n-3 PUFA significantly lowered the risk of primary endpoint by 10%, suggesting beneficial effect statistically. Consecutive study showed the clinical effects for death, combined death, stroke and non-fatal myocardial infarction. Furthermore, it attributed the reduced risk of the events for overall by 20%, cardiovascular by 30%, and sudden death by 45% [4].

Defects of the endoplasmic reticulum and changes to lipid droplet size in mammary epithelial cells due to miR-30b-5p overexpression are correlated to a reduction in Atlastin 2 expression

During lactation, mammary epithelial cells secrete fat in the form of milk fat globules that originate from intracellular lipid droplets. These droplets may form de novo from the endoplasmic reticulum or be derived from existing lipid droplets; they then either grow because enzymes of triacylglycerol synthesis relocate from the reticulum to their surface, or due to fusion and fission with other droplets. The overexpression of miR-30b-5p in the developing mouse mammary gland impairs lactation, which includes an increase in lipid droplet size. This study was performed to understand the origin of this defect affecting lipid droplets observed in transgenic mice.Electron microscopy analyses revealed a fragmented and discontinued tubular network of endoplasmic reticulum in the mammary epithelial cells of transgenic mice. The milk fatty acid composition was modified, with lower levels of medium-chain saturated fatty acids and a proportional increase in long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids in transgenic versus wild-type mice. Further, investigations of microRNA targets revealed a significant downregulation of ATLASTIN 2 (a GTPase described as playing a key role in lipid droplet formation) due to miR-30b-5p overexpression.Our results suggest that the increase in lipid droplet size observed in the mammary epithelial cells of transgenic mice might result from changes to lipid droplet formation and secretion because of direct modifications to Atl2 expression and indirect changes to endoplasmic reticulum morphology resulting from the overexpression of miR-30b-5p.

Dietary supplementation with long-chain monounsaturated fatty acid isomers decreases atherosclerosis and alters lipoprotein proteomes in LDLr−/− mice

Background and aimsConcentrated fish oils, containing a mixture of long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (LCMUFA) with aliphatic chains longer than 18 C atoms (i.e., C20:1 and C22:1), have been shown to attenuate atherosclerosis development in mouse models. It is not clear, however, how individual LCMUFA isomers may act on atherosclerosis. MethodsIn the present study, we used saury fish oil-derived concentrates enriched in either C20:1 or C22:1 isomer fractions to investigate their individual effect on atherosclerosis and lipoprotein metabolism. LDLR-deficient (LDLr−/−) mice were fed a Western diet supplemented with 5% (w/w) of either C20:1 or C22:1 concentrate for 12 wk. ResultsCompared to the control Western diet with no supplement, both LCMUFA isomers increased hepatic levels of LCMUFA by 2∼3-fold (p < 0.05), and decreased atherosclerotic lesion areas by more than 40% (p < 0.05), although there were no major differences in plasma lipoproteins or hepatic lipid content. Both LCMUFA isomers significantly decreased plasma CRP levels, improved Abca1-dependent cholesterol efflux capacity of apoB-depleted plasma, and enhanced Ppar transcriptional activities in HepG2 cells. LC-MS/MS proteomic analysis of lipoproteins (HDL, LDL and VLDL) revealed that both LCMUFA isomer diets resulted in similar potentially beneficial alterations in proteins involved in complement activation, blood coagulation, and lipid metabolism. Several lipoprotein proteome changes were significantly correlated with atherosclerotic plaque reduction. ConclusionsDietary supplementation with the LCMUFA isomers C20:1 or C22:1 was equally effective in reducing atherosclerosis in LDLr−/−mice and this may partly occur through activation of the Ppar signaling pathways and favorable alterations in the proteome of lipoproteins.

Antarctic harpacticoids exploit different trophic niches: a summer snapshot using fatty acid trophic markers (Potter Cove, King George Island)

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 568:59-71 (2017) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12047 Antarctic harpacticoids exploit different trophic niches: a summer snapshot using fatty acid trophic markers (Potter Cove, King George Island) Eva Werbrouck1,*, Ann Vanreusel1, Dolores Deregibus2, Dirk Van Gansbeke1, Marleen De Troch1 1Marine Biology, Krijgslaan 281/S8, Ghent University, Gent 9000, Belgium 2Departamento de Biología Costera, Instituto Antártico Argentino, San Martín (CP 1650), Buenos Aires, Argentina *Corresponding author: eva.werbrouck@ugent.be ABSTRACT: Unraveling food webs is a first step toward understanding of ecosystem functioning and a requirement to forecast climate-induced ecosystem responses. In this study, the organisms under examination were benthic copepods (order Harpacticoida) inhabiting a fjord-like environment on the southern coastline of King George Island at the northwestern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the most rapidly warming regions on Earth. Despite increased understanding of Antarctic food web structures, little is known about the feeding ecology of benthic copepods in these systems. A fatty acid trophic marker strategy was used to unravel the diet composition of Antarctic harpacticoid copepod species or assemblages collected from distinct habitats in summer. Their diverse storage fatty acid composition revealed the occupation of different trophic niches associated with their specific lifestyles, i.e. endobenthic or epiphytic with (Alteutha spp.) or without (Harpacticus sp.) frequent water column excursions. Moreover, the prevalence of biosynthesized ω7 long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids in Harpacticus sp. and ω9 fatty acids in Alteutha spp. further suggested adaptations to particular habitats in polar ecosystems, as different dietary precursors—16:1ω7 (microphytobenthos, epiphytic diatoms) or 18:1ω9 (flagellates)—fuel these elongation pathways. KEY WORDS: Copepods · Diet · Storage lipids · Epiphytic · Polar Full text in pdf format Supplementary material PreviousNextCite this article as: Werbrouck E, Vanreusel A, Deregibus D, Van Gansbeke D, De Troch M (2017) Antarctic harpacticoids exploit different trophic niches: a summer snapshot using fatty acid trophic markers (Potter Cove, King George Island). Mar Ecol Prog Ser 568:59-71. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12047 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 568. Online publication date: March 24, 2017 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2017 Inter-Research.

Dietary marine-derived long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids and cardiovascular disease risk: a mini review.

Regular fish/fish oil consumption is widely recommended for protection against cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Fish and other marine life are rich sources of the cardioprotective long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 n-3; EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3; DHA). The lipid content and fatty acid profile of fish, however, vary greatly among different fish species. In addition to n-3 PUFA, certain fish, such as saury, pollock, and herring, also contain high levels of long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (LCMUFA), with aliphatic tails longer than 18 C atoms (i.e., C20:1 and C22:1 isomers). Compared with well-studied n-3 PUFA, limited information, however, is available on the health benefits of marine-derived LCMUFA, particularly in regard to CVD. Our objective in this review is to summarize the current knowledge and provide perspective on the potential therapeutic value of dietary LCMUFA-rich marine oil for improving CVD risk factors. We will also review the possible mechanisms of LCMUFA action on target tissues. Finally, we describe the epidemiologic data and small-scaled clinical studies that have been done on marine oils enriched in LCMUFA. Although there are still many unanswered questions about LCMUFA, this appears to be promising new area of research that may lead to new insights into the health benefits of a different component of fish oils besides n-3 PUFA.