Low Omega-3 Research Articles

Influence of Weight-Control Attempts as Based on Self-Perception of Macronutrient Intake Among Young Females and Its Association with Mood Disorder.

There are a few studies on the association between macronutrients and mood, but none on weight control based on self-perception of specific macronutrients and mood. To assess the association between anxiety and depression levels and weight-control attempts among young females based on self-perception of diet that impacts weight by limiting or boosting a certain macronutrient. A cross-sectional survey conducted on young females (n=302) with an age range of 19 to 29. Dietary intake was measured using the Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and 24h-dietary recall. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. Analysis of the data showed a significant and inverse association of macronutrients - carbohydrates (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.77-0.95;p < 0.01), protein (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.78-0.97;p < 0.05), and fat (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.63-0.99;p < 0.05) - with the odds of abnormal anxiety was noted. In addition, lower omega-3 intake was significantly associated with abnormal anxiety score (OR 0.85; 95% CI 0.76-0.97;p < 0.05) and abnormal depression score (OR 0.31; 95% CI 0.14-0.68;p < 0.01). Increased calorie intake is associated with an increased risk of anxiety scores. This preliminary study found the importance of monitoring dietary intake, especially macronutrients, among the young population to screen for any onset of mood symptoms, especially for those who are following a specific diet without any supervision. Young people should be aware of the importance of following a balanced diet and seek dietitians' consultation.

Distinct associations between dietary omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids intake with chronic kidney disease in adults with and without diabetes: A cross-sectional study

ObjectiveWe explored the relationship of dietary intake of fatty acids with chronic kidney disease (CKD) according to glycemic status in Japanese people. MethodsA total of 1031 participants aged ≥40 y were included in this population-based, cross-sectional study. A validated self-administered diet history questionnaire was used to measure the dietary intakes of fat and fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and diabetes as the use of antidiabetic medication, fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL, or hemoglobin A1c of ≥6.5%. Urine biomarkers of kidney injury (liver-type fatty acid–binding protein, β2-microglobulin, and albumin) were also examined. ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 62.5 ± 11.2 y, and 482 (46.8%) of them were men. Overall, 177 (17.2%) participants had CKD. In the multivariable model, low omega-3 intake (odds ratio = 0.109; 95% CI, 0.019–0.645) and high omega-6–to–omega-3 ratio (odds ratio = 2.112; 95% CI, 1.167–3.822) were associated with CKD in participants with diabetes but not in those without. In selected participants with diabetes, a substantial trend of urinary liver-type fatty acid–binding protein and β2-microglobulin level elevation along with an increase in the dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 was observed. ConclusionsLow dietary omega-3 intake and high omega-6–to–omega-3 ratio were associated with CKD in middle-aged and older Japanese people with diabetes but not in those without diabetes. These results may provide insight into the more tailored approaches for dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids to prevent CKD.

Nutritional factors associated with aggression.

Although the vast majority of patients in forensic psychiatry are treated using pharmacological agents, clinical and ethical concerns about their use have led to the consideration of alternative strategies to reduce aggression that is common in forensic psychiatric settings. One non-invasive and benign biologically-based treatment approach involves nutrition. This article provides a mini-review of the recent evidence on four salient nutritional factors associated with aggressive behavior, namely omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc. The current evidence base indicates that lower omega-3 levels are associated with increased aggression. Although research on vitamin D and zinc in relation to aggressive behavior is more limited, there is initial evidence that they are negatively associated with aggression in healthy participants and in psychiatric samples. The relationship between magnesium and aggression varies depending on how magnesium is assessed. Findings from experimental trials reveal that nutritional intervention in the form of omega-3 supplementation has the potential to serve as an effective mode of treatment, with effects that can last beyond the intervention period. There is also support for the utility of nutrition to improve our understanding of how social processes are linked to aggression. In light of the nascent, but promising findings on the role of nutritional factors on aggressive behavior, directions for future research are discussed.

Comparison of the nutritional quality and the fat globule size after six months of lactation of donkey and human milk

Donkey milk is acknowledged as a valuable nutritional source in the human diet, well known for its bioactive and functional properties. Therefore, the main goal of this research was to investigate the similarities between donkey and human milk after six months of lactation with respect to the lipid composition, milk fat globule particle size distribution, antioxidant activity, and mineral content. These components are related to the nutritional properties of milk and they are important for the dairy industry as well to human health. The obtained results showed that the most dominant fatty acids in both types of milk were oleic, palmitic, and linoleic followed by lauric, capric, and alpha-linolenic acids. Donkey milk had a desirable fatty acid composition due to its high alpha-linolenic acid content and especially low omega-6/omega-3 ratio. After the fat globule distribution was analysed, it was found that fat globules smaller than 2 μm had the highest percentage in both human and donkey milk. The antioxidant activity of human milk was significantly higher at 42.95% compared to donkey milk at 35.83%. Predominant mineral in both types of milk was Ca, followed by P, Zn, Fe and Cu. Highlighting the similarity between donkey milk and human milk encourages the use of donkey milk as a potential substitute for human milk in the future.

Prevalence of Depression and Fish Consumption among First Year Spanish University Students: UniHcos Project.

The World Health Organization estimates that one fifth of university students have experienced major depressive disorder at some point in their lives. Nutrition may be one of the modifiable factors that influence the development of depression. Specifically, low omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin D levels, both nutrients found in high quantities in fish, have been linked to depressive disorders. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of depression among young Spanish university students, in addition to the pattern of fish consumption among students and the possible relationship between fish consumption and the presence of depression. Data were collected retrospectively from a nationally representative sample of 11,485 Spanish university students aged 18 years or older in 11 Spanish universities, from 2012 to 2022. The respondents were analyzed according to frequency of consumption and compliance with weekly recommendations for fish intake and the presence of depression. Regression models were also performed to determine students' odds of depression as a function of compliance with recommendations according to selected sociodemographic variables. The prevalence of depression was 10.5%; it was more prevalent in women, older students and in those with both high and low BMIs. In addition, it was also more prevalent in those that lived outside the family home, with roommates and those who were employed. Sixty-seven percent of the students met the fish intake recommendations. The most common frequency of fish consumption was 1-2 times/week (44.2%), and the least frequent was 2.3% daily fish consumption. Students from northern universities were more likely to consume fish (68.4%) than those from southern universities (66.4%). Non-consumption of fish was found to increase the risk of depression (ORa = 1.45 (1.28-1.64); AF = 31.0% (21.9-39.0)), but it was the student's own conditions that had the greatest influence on the development of the disorder. In summary, a lower consumption of fish seems to be associated with a higher incidence of depression in Spanish university students; however, other social factors of the student may influence the development of the disorder, and all of this should be taken into account for the development of prevention strategies.

Very low Omega-3 Index in young healthy students from Palestine.

Oily fish is rich in long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which have been associated with several health benefits. However, fish consumption is generally low in many countries, including the Middle East, resulting in low omega-3 blood levels. In Palestine, no data on the omega-3 blood status is available. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the omega-3 status and related factors in young healthy subjects from Palestine. Omega-3 status was assessed using the Omega-3 Index-defined as the sum of EPA + DHA in relation to the total fatty acid content of erythrocytes. A total of 149 subjects, 50 males and 99 females (age range: 18-24 years), were included in the study. In addition to the Omega-3 Index, data on anthropometrics, physical activity, smoking status, fish intake, dietary supplement intake, blood lipid profile, and whole erythrocyte fatty acid pattern were collected. The mean (SD) Omega-3 Index was 2.56 (0.57)%, with 97.9% of subjects having an index below 4%. The majority of participants (91.8%) consumed less than two portions of fish per week, and only 4% reported taking omega-3 supplements, mostly irregularly. Our findings show that young Palestinian students have an alarmingly low omega-3 status. Further studies are needed to investigate whether the omega-3 status is also low in the general Palestinian population.

Systematic Review on the Effects of Food on Mental Health via Gut Microbiome

Recent studies have suggested that diet may affect the gut microbiome, subsequently influencing mental health. While several systematic reviews have been done on the effects of diet on mental health via the gut microbiome, there are focused on either specific diets or mental disorders. This systematic review examines the effect of diet and broad-based mental health via the gut microbiome. 21 out of 99 studies published prior to 2023 and listed in PubMed are included. Our analysis suggests that a vegan diet, a Mediterranean-style diet, fiber, probiotics, dietary vitamin D, unpasteurized milk, foods with a low omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, and Xiao Yan Sanmay have positive effects on gut microbiome, leading to a positive influence on mental health, while a meat-rich diet, a high-fat diet, high fructose intake, and zinc deficiency may have negative effects on gut microbiome, leading to a negative influence on mental health. Collectively, the effects of diet on mental health via gut microbiome may be explained by the composition of gut microbiome and the metabolites produced by gut microbiome on gut permeability. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2023-05-02-05 Full Text: PDF

A Fully Integrated Biorefinery Process for the Valorization of Ulva fasciata into Different Green and Sustainable Value-Added Products

In the framework of a sustainable marine bioeconomy, the present work describes an advanced, eco-friendly, fully integrated biorefinery process for marine Ulva fasciata macroalgae. That would serve as a solution for ecosystem bioremediation, an effective utilization of marine macroalgal resources, and a new initiative to promote a green and low-carbon economy. Ulva fasciata biomass can be utilized as an organic fertilizer with total N, P2O5, and K2O contents of 3.17% and a C/N ratio of 11.71. It can also be used as a solid biofuel with a sufficient calorific value of 15.19 MJ/kg. It has high carbohydrate content and low lignin content of approximately 44.85% and 1.5%, respectively, which recommend its applicability in bioethanol and biobutanol production. Its protein, fiber, lipid, and ash contents of approximately 13.13%, 9.9%, 3.27%, and 21%, respectively with relatively high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) and omega-9 fatty acids (n-9 MUFAs) and relatively low omega-6 fatty acids (n-6 PUFAs) and a n-6/n-3 ratio of 0.13 also recommend its applicability as food additives and animal feeders. Moreover, the suggested sequential zero-waste biomass residue process yielded 34.89% mineral-rich water extract (MRWE), 2.61% chlorophylla,b, 0.41% carotenoids, 12.55% starch, 3.27% lipids, 22.24% ulvan, 13.37% proteins, and 10.66% cellulose of Ulva fasciata dry weight. The efficient biocidal activity of extracted ulvan against pathogenic microorganisms and sulfate-reducing bacteria recommends its application for medical purposes, water densification, and mitigation of microbially induced corrosion in the oil and gas industry.

Fish Oil in Glaucoma Treatment: From Biological Functions to Clinical Potential.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide, and multiple risk factors influence its pathogenesis and progression, including age, increased intraocular pressure (IOP), low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, and ocular blood flow deficits. IOP-lowering therapy is currently the most effective way to control glaucoma progression; however, due to insufficient response and persistent retinal neural degeneration, the result may not always be satisfactory. In recent decades, fish oil, an omega-3 dietary supplement, is reported to be beneficial to glaucoma patients, but its efficiency and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Intriguingly, glaucoma patients have lower omega-3 fatty acid blood levels, especially docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. Dietary omega-3 supplementation in patients may normalize levels of fatty acid and, thereby, enhance their effects. Therefore, fish oil may serve as an area of new focus for glaucoma treatment studies. In this review, the study summarizes the roles of active ingredients in fish oil in delaying glaucoma development, including lowering IOP, regulating blood supply, alleviating inflammation, and diminishing oxidative stress, with a view to promoting the development of the clinical management of glaucoma.

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids intake, air pollution, and the risk of lung cancer: A prospective study in UK biobank

BackgroundEpidemiological evidence on the association between specific types of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) intake and lung cancer risk is limited. However, whether dietary-specific PUFAs intake can modify the association between air pollutants and incident lung cancer remains unknown. MethodsCox proportional hazard models and restricted cubic spline regression were used to evaluate the associations of omega-3 PUFAs, omega-6 PUFAs and the ratio of omega-6 PUFAs to omega-3 PUFAs intake with lung cancer risk. Furthermore, we evaluated the associations between air pollutants and incident lung cancer, and whether dietary-specific PUFAs intake would modify the relationship using stratification analyses. ResultsThis study found significant associations between the risk of lung cancer and omega-3 PUFAs intake (hazard ratio [HR], 0.82; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.73–0.93; per 1 g/d), and omega-6 PUFAs intake (HR, 0.98; 95 % CI, 0.96–0.99; per 1 g/d). We did not observe an association between the omega-6 to omega-3 PUFAs intake ratio and incident lung cancer. With regard to air pollution, omega-3 PUFAs intake attenuated the positive relationship between nitrogen oxides (NOx) pollution and lung cancer risk, and an increased incidence of lung cancer was found only in the low omega-3 PUFAs intake group (p < 0.05). Surprisingly, PUFAs intake (regardless of omega-3 PUFAs, omega-6 PUFAs, or in total) reinforced the pro-carcinogenic effects of PM2.5 on lung cancer, and a positive association between PM2.5 pollutants and incident lung cancer was observed only in the high PUFAs groups (p < 0.05). ConclusionsHigher dietary omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs intake was associated with a decreased risk of lung cancer in the study population. As omega-3 PUFAs have different modification effects on NOX and PM2.5 air pollution related lung cancer incidence, precautions should be taken when using omega-3 PUFAs as health-promoting dietary supplements, especially in high PM2.5 burden regions.

Identifying women who may benefit from higher dose omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy to reduce their risk of prematurity: exploratory analyses from the ORIP trial

ObjectivesThe risk factors for prematurity are multifactorial and include low omega-3 status. Omega-3 supplementation in pregnancy has been found to reduce prematurity risk, particularly among women with low omega-3 levels....

Lower omega-3 status associated with higher erythrocyte distribution width and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in UK Biobank cohort

High red blood distribution width (RDW) is associated with decreased red blood cell deformability, and high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a biomarker of systemic inflammation and innate-adaptive immune system imbalance. Both RDW and NLR are predictors of chronic disease risk and mortality. Omega-3 index (O3I) values have previously been shown to be inversely associated with RDW and NLR levels. Our objective was to determine if total plasma long chain omega-3 fatty acids (Omega3%) measured in the UK Biobank cohort were associated with RDW and NLR values. RDW- and NLR- relationships with Omega3% were characterized in 109,191 adults (58.4% female). RDW- and NLR-Omega3% relationships were inversely associated with Omega3% (both p < 0.0001). These cross-sectional associations confirm previous findings that increasing RDW and NLR values are associated with low O3I. The hypothesis that RDW and/or NLR values can be reduced in individuals with less-than optimal long chain omega 3 values need to be tested in randomized controlled intervention trials using EPA and/or DHA.

Adolescent girls in aquaculture ecozones at risk of nutrient deficiency in Bangladesh development and validation of an integrated metric

BackgroundThis study developed and validated an integrated metric that enhances understanding of linkages between agro-ecological and socio-economic factors that are important for explaining nutritional wellbeing in relation to fish consumption; especially among adolescent girls who are at risk of nutritional deficiency in Bangladesh. Currently, there is no metric that takes account of environmental, cultural and economic contexts when considering fish consumption and dietary health from a policy perspective.MethodsThe study was designed as a bi-seasonal survey, repeated in the same population of adolescent girls recruited during the dry and wet seasons. Sampling was stratified by five settings (four aqua-agroecological zones and one processing plant community), with 60 girls recruited in each. Associations between candidate predictors (salinity, diet diversity, religion, socio-economic status and women’s autonomy score) and dependent variables representing nutritional outcomes (anthropometry, omega-3 index and micronutrient levels) were explored in multivariable regressions. The fitted model with its predictors was validated, and a risk score derived from responses to a few short questions on religion, salinity zone, female autonomy, diet diversity and tilapia consumption.ResultsThe omega-3 index showed the clearest distinction between seasons, by salinity and religion. Higher female autonomy, religion (being Hindu rather than Muslim), geographical location (living in a high or mid-saline area), and a higher dietary diversity were the strongest predictors of whole blood omega-3 index. The c-index for the prognostic model was 0.83 and 0.76 in the wet and dry season respectively, indicating good predictive accuracy. There appeared to be a clear trend in risk scores differentiating between those ‘chronically at risk’ and those ‘never at risk’.ConclusionsObservational data on different aquaculture-ecozones defined by salinity enabled us to establish linkages between seasonal fish intake, religion, diet diversity, female autonomy and nutritional wellbeing. The purpose of the metric is to reveal these specific linkages in practice. This tool should improve targeting of timely, preventative and cost-effective nutritional interventions to adolescent girls most at-risk from low omega-3 levels in communities where seafood is produced.

Parkinson Symptom Severity and Use of Nutraceuticals

It is estimated that half of the individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) use some form of over-the-counter vitamin, herbal supplement or nutraceutical. The goal of this study was to survey individuals with PD about their use of the nutraceuticals and evaluate the association of the nutraceutical with the severity of symptoms. Participants with self-reported idiopathic PD within the 2021 cohort (n = 1084) were included in a cross-sectional study to assess association of nutraceuticals with symptom severity via linear regression analysis. PD severity was measured using the patient-reported outcomes in PD, and supplement use reflected self-reported consistent use over the previous six months. All regression analyses adjusted for age, gender, income and years since diagnosis. The use of the term progression refers to PRO-PD scores adjusted for years since diagnosis. The most frequently used supplements were vitamin D (71%), B12 (44%), vitamin C (38%) and fish oil (38%). None of the supplements being used were associated with statistically significant worse outcomes. Nutraceuticals associated with improved outcomes were Ginkgo biloba (GB), NAD+ or its precursors, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, glutathione, mucuna, CoQ10, low dose lithium, curcumin, homocysteine factors, DHEA, coconut oil, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil). These data suggest that in a real-world setting, some over-the-counter supplements are associated with fewer patient-reported symptoms. Supplements with significant associations with fewer symptoms have biological plausibility and future clinical trials should be explored.

Dietary Impacts on Changes in Diversity and Abundance of the Murine Microbiome during Progression and Treatment of Cancer.

The intestinal microbial population is recognized for its impact on cancer treatment outcomes. Little research has reported microbiome changes during cancer progression or the interplay of disease progression, dietary sugar/fat intake, and the microbiome through surgery and chemotherapy. In this study, the murine gut microbiome was used as a model system, and changes in microbiome diversity, richness, and evenness over the progression of the cancer and treatment were analyzed. Mice were categorized into four diet cohorts, combinations of either high or low sucrose and high or low omega-3 fatty acids, and two treatment cohorts, saline vehicle or chemotherapy, for a total of eight groups. Fecal samples were collected at specific timepoints to assess changes due to diet implementation, onset of cancer, lumpectomy, and chemotherapy. Akkermansia muciniphila abundance was very high in some samples and negatively correlated with overall Amplicon Sequence Variant (ASV) richness (r(64) = -0.55, p = 3 × 10-8). Throughout the disease progression, ASV richness significantly decreased and was impacted by diet and treatment. Alpha-diversity and differential microbial abundance were significantly affected by disease progression, diet, treatment, and their interactions. These findings help establish a baseline for understanding how cancer progression, dietary macronutrients, and specific treatments impact the murine microbiome, which may influence outcomes.

Utilization of marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii as a feed additive in seawater-tolerant Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus 1758) strain

The low omega-3 content of tilapia flesh, when compared to marine fish, affects its marketability. In marine animals, the highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) can be linked to the oil produced by marine diatoms. Among the marine diatoms, the genusThalassiosirais known to exhibit high content of HUFAs such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Thus, in this study, the use of marine diatomThalassiosira weissflogiias a dietary additive in the seawater-tolerant Nile Tilapia strain was evaluated. One hundred ninety-two, 1.40 ± 0.05g seawater tilapia were randomly allocated into 4 treatment groups in 4 replicates. The first treatment group was fed with a control diet (D0), without the diatoms while treatments 1, 2, and 3 were each fed with diets supplemented withT. weissflogiipaste at 2.55% (D1), 6% (D2), and 12% (D3), respectively for 60 days. The diets were isonitrogenous, isolipodic and the omega-3 and omega-6 requirements were satisfied. Results demonstrated that D1 had the highest percent weight gain among treatments. Although not significantly different, other parameters such as percent survival, specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and feed intake had desirable results in D1. The proximate composition of seawater tilapia showed that % crude protein was highest in D0 but % crude lipid was highest in D1. The fatty acid composition of tilapia in D1 had the highest omega-3 content at 9.29 mg/g tissue and also had the highest n3:n6 at 2.19. Muscle growth-related genes (MyoDandMYG) were up-regulated while liver genes involved in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis (oni-fads2andelvol5) were down-regulated in D1 as compared to D0. Feeding the diatom-supplemented diet to tilapia had no significant effects on hepatic cells and intestinal morphology. The results suggested that a 2.55% supplementation dose ofT. weissflogiicould promote growth and enhance the tissue content of omega-3 fatty acids of the seawater strainOreochromis niloticus.

Neonatal intake of Omega-3 fatty acids enhances lipid oxidation in adipocyte precursors

Establishing metabolic programming begins during fetal and postnatal development, and early-life lipid exposures play a critical role during neonatal adipogenesis. We define how neonatal consumption of a low omega-6 to -3 fatty acid ratio (n6/n3 FA ratio) establishes FA oxidation in adipocyte precursor cells (APCs) before they become adipocytes. Invivo, APCs isolated from mouse pups exposed to the low n6/n3 FA ratio had superior FA oxidation capacity, elevated beige adipocyte mRNAs Ppargc1α, Ucp2, and Runx1, and increased nuclear receptor NR2F2 protein. Invitro, APC treatment with NR2F2 ligand-induced beige adipocyte mRNAs and increased mitochondrial potential but not mass. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis revealed low n6/n3 FA ratio yielded more mitochondrial-high APCs and linked APC NR2F2 levels with beige adipocyte signatures and FA oxidation. Establishing beige adipogenesis is of clinical relevance, because fat depots with energetically active, smaller, and more numerous adipocytes improve metabolism and delay metabolic dysfunction.

Maternal omega-3 LC-PUFA supplementation programs an improved bone mass in the offspring with a more pronounced effect in females than males at adulthood

Early balanced nutrition is vital in achieving optimal skeletal mass and its maintenance. Although a lower omega-6 (n-6): omega-3 (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) ratio is strongly linked with bone health, its maternal effect in the programming of the offspring's skeleton remains to be elucidated. Plugged C57BL/6 mice were fed either n-3 LC-PUFA Enriched Diet (LED) or a control diet (C) throughout their gestation and lactation. Offspring born to both the groups were weaned onto C till 6, 12, and 24 weeks of their age. Offspring's skeleton metabolism and serum fatty acid composition was studied. In humans, seventy-five mother-female newborns pairs from term gestation were tested for their maternal LC-PUFA status relationships to venous cord blood bone biomarkers. Offspring of maternal LED supplemented mice exhibited a superior bone phenotype over C, more prominent in females than males. A lower serum n-6/n-3 LC-PUFA in the LED group offspring was strongly associated with blood biomarkers of bone metabolism. Sexual dimorphism evidenced had a strong correlation between offspring's LC-PUFA levels and bone turnover markers in serum. A higher potential for osteoblastic differentiation in both LED offspring genders and reduced osteoclastogenesis in females was cell-autonomous effect. The human cross-sectional study also showed a positive correlation between maternal n-3 PUFA and cord blood markers of bone formation in female newborns at birth. Maternal dietary n-6/ n-3 fat quality determines offspring's bone growth and development. Our data suggest that the skeleton of female offspring is likely to be more sensitive to this early exposure.

The relationship between cognitive impairment and fatty acids and carnitine in hemodialysis patients

Background/AimThe prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) is high in hemodialysis patients. In this study, the relationship between CI and serum carnitine, plasma omega-3, omega-6 and omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid ratio was evaluated in hemodialysis patients. Materials and methodsSixty two patients [male: 40 (64.5%), mean age 51±13 years] were included in this cross-sectional study. Serum total and free-carnitine levels were determined by ELISA. Plasma omega-3 [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] and omega-6 [arachidonic acid (AA), dihomo gamma linoleic acid (DGLA)] levels were measured using LC-ESI-MS/MS. According to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, ≤24 points were considered as CI. MoCA score ≤24 and >24 were determined as Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. ResultsGroup 1 had significantly higher AA+DGLA/EPA+DHA ratios and lower free-carnitine, DHA and EPA+DHA levels compared to Group 2 (P=0.008, P=0.040, P=0.032, P=0.032, respectively). Group 1 had a statistically lower education level (P<0.05). Negative correlation was found between MoCA scores and AA+DGLA/EPA+DHA ratios (rs=−0.284, P=0.026). Free-carnitine levels were positively correlated with EPA and EPA+DHA levels (rs=0.278, P=0.030 and rs=0.271, P=0.034, respectively), and negative correlated with AA+DGLA/EPA+DHA ratios (rs=−0.414, P=0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, MoCA scores was associated with AA+DGLA/EPA+DHA ratio (P=0.009) and education level (P<0.001). ConclusionIt was determined that high AA+DGLA/EPA+DHA ratio and low education level could be independent risk factors of the CI. It has been shown that free-carnitine level can have positive effects on plasma EPA+DHA and AA+DGLA distributions. Low omega-3 fatty acid levels may be associated with CI in hemodialysis patients, and low carnitine level may contribute partially to this process. In addition, cognitive education programs may have an effect on preventing CI in hemodialysis patients with low education levels.

The high-dose fish oil supplementation increased Mfsd2a expression without altering DHA levels in the retina of healthy mice

• The healthy retina requires daily omega-3 PUFA supplementation. • High-dose FO supplementation can be more beneficial than currently recommended doses. • High-dose FO supplementation alters lipid content in the eye. • High-dose FO supplementation has the potential to fortify retinal blood vessels. The recommended fish oil (FO) supplementation doses often yield low omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) tissue bioavailability, and higher doses (up to 10 g per day) have been increasingly recommended. However, the exact effects of such FO supplementation on the healthy retina and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) are unknown. Our study showed that the high dose FO treatment did not imbalance the rigorous docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n3) homeostasis in the retina and RPE in the three-month-old female B6/SLJ mice. Instead, we have found the significant increase in the expression of Mfsd2a, the main DHA transporter. Mfsd2a is also an essential regulator of blood vessel transcytosis and the decrease in Mfsd2a expression can be a risk factor for developing leaky blood vessels. Therefore, the high-dose FO supplementation emerges as the prophylactic fortifier of the retinal blood vessels.