Omega-3 Docosahexaenoic Acid Research Articles

Production of High-Value Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Using Microbial Cultures.

Microbes can produce not only commodity fatty acids, such as palmitic acid (16:0) and stearic acid (18:0), but also high-value fatty acids (essential fatty acids). Most high value fatty acids belong to long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), such as omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) and omega-6 fatty acids (e.g., arachidonic acid (ARA) and γ-linolenic acid (GLA)). EPA (20:5n-3) is a 20-carbon fatty acid with five double bonds, and the first double bond is in the n-3 position. DHA (22:6n-3) is a 22-carbon fatty acid with 6 double bonds and the first double bond is also in the n-3 position. Both EPA and DHA play an essential role in cardiovascular health including prevention of atherosclerotic disease development (Zehr and Walker, Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 134:131-140, 2018). ARA (20:4n-6) is a 20-carbon fatty acid with four double bonds, and the first double bond is in the n-6 position. GLA (18:3n-6) is an 18-carbon fatty acid with three double bonds, and the first double bond is in the n-6 position. ARA and GLA have multiple biological effects, such as lowering blood cholesterol, and lowering cardiovascular mortality (Poli and Visioli, Eur J Lipid Sci Technol 117(11):1847-1852, 2015). This chapter provides details on microbial production of EAP, DHA, ARA, and GLA.

The emerging role of omega-3 fatty acids as a therapeutic option in neuropsychiatric disorders.

The prevalence of neurologic and psychiatric diseases has been increasing for decades and, given the moderate therapeutic efficacy and safety profile of existing pharmacological treatments, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. Nutrition has recently been recognized as an important factor for the prevention and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) play critical roles in neuronal cell function and neurotransmission as well as inflammatory and immune reactions that are involved in neuropsychiatric disease states. A large number of experimental and epidemiological studies provide a strong basis for interventional clinical trials that assessed the clinical efficacy of n-3 PUFAs in various neurological and psychiatric disorders. Most of these trials found beneficial effects of dietary supplementation with EPA and DHA, and no serious safety concerns have emerged. This review gives an introduction to recent findings on the clinical efficacy of n-3 PUFAs in various neuropsychiatric disorders and the underlying biochemical mechanisms. In addition, the reader will be enabled to identify common methodological weaknesses of clinical studies on n-3 PUFAs, and suggestions for the design of future studies are given.

Modulation of Planaria Regeneration by Resolvin D1 and the Omega-3 Fatty Acid Precursor 17-Hydroxy Docosahexaenoic Acid

Omega-3 fatty acids (FA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have long been consumed as medical supplements for their far-reaching health benefits, ranging from alleviating asthma symptoms to mitigating kidney and inflammatory diseases like colitis and diabetes. These fatty acids produce a variety of lipid mediator metabolites including maresins, protectins, and resolvins, and are essential for aiding the resolution pathways in inflammation. However, their roles in regenerative responses are relatively unknown. We decided to investigate the effect of Resolvin D1 (RvD1) in Dugesia dorotocephala regeneration, as RvD1is the most widely studied lipid mediator. We foundthat regenerating planaria released significantly higher amounts of RvD1 in water than control and that D. dorotocephala could synthesize their own RvD1 from the omega-3 FA precursor 17-hydroxy docosahexaenoic acid (17-HDHA). We also observed that both RvD1 and 17-HDHA enhanced regeneration responses in planaria by using eye scoring and a modified cell metabolism assay (MTT). We conclude that planarians may utilize similar biosynthetic pathways to mammals in producing resolvins and that resolvins hold immense potential in enhancing regenerative responses in tissues.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and IVF treatment.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential fatty acids, derived mostly from fish oil, that have a significant anti-inflammatory effect. Data from animal studies support their role in the reproductive mechanism, and recent human studies suggest a positive effect on sperm quality and natural conception. Their general role in human fertility, and specifically in IVF treatment, however, is not clear. A few small, prospective cohort studies have examined the relationship between serum PUFAs and outcome measures and success in IVF, with conflicting results. Some have demonstrated a better chance of live birth with increased levels of serum omega-3 PUFAs, whereas others have failed to show such a correlation, and the reasons for such differences are not clear. Moreover, no well-designed, published studies have assessing whether the administration of omega-3 PUFAs before IVF treatment can improve clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. The development of safe and well-tolerated pharmaceutical forms of the active omega-3 PUFAs, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), mean that assessment of this question is now possible and future studies are warranted.

Disruption in Brain Phospholipid Content in a Humanized Tau Transgenic Model Following Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy typified by immunoreactive tau aggregates in the depths of the sulci. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms involved have not been largely explored. Phospholipids are important molecules which form membrane lipid bilayers; they are ubiquitous to every cell in the brain, and carry out a host of different functions. Imbalance in phospholipid metabolism, signaling and transport has been documented in some neurological conditions. However, not much is currently known about their roles in repetitive mTBI and how this may confer risk for the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. To address this question, we designed a longitudinal study (24 h, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-injury) to comprehensively investigate mTBI dependent brain phospholipid profiles compared to sham counterparts. We use our established mouse model of repetitive mTBI that has been extensively characterized up to 1-year post-injury in humanized tau (hTau) mice, which expresses all six human tau isoforms, on a null murine background. Our data indicates a significant increase in sphingomyelin, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and derivative lysoPE and lysoPC at acute and/or sub-acute time points post-injury within the cortex and hippocampus. There was also a parallel increase at early time points in monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids. Omega-6 (arachidonic acid) to omega-3 (docosahexaenoic acid) fatty acid ratio for PE and PC species was increased also at 24 h and 3 months post-injury in both hippocampus and cortex. The long-term consequences of these early changes in phospholipids on neuronal and non-neuronal cell function is unclear, and warrants further study. Understanding phospholipid metabolism, signaling and transport following TBI could be valuable; they may offer novel targets for therapeutic intervention not only in TBI but other neurodegenerative diseases.

The omega-3 index in patients with heart failure: A prospective cohort study

BackgroundEpidemiologic studies on the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in heart failure are scarce, while one large intervention trial demonstrated a modest benefit. MethodsThis is a secondary analysis from the Interdisciplinary Network Heart Failure (INH) program. Patients hospitalized for systolic heart failure were enrolled and followed for 36 months. At baseline, whole blood samples from 899 patients were analyzed for fatty acid composition using a standardized analytical procedure (HS-Omega-3 Index®, O3-I). Associations of the O3-I with markers of heart failure severity, clinical characteristics, biomarkers, and mortality were analyzed. ResultsThe mean O3-I was 3.7 ± 1.0%. Patient mean age was 68 ± 12 years (72% male, 43% in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV, mean LVEF 30 ± 8%). During follow-up 258 patients (28.7%) died. After adjustment for potential confounders, the O3-I showed weak associations with uncured malignancy, end-systolic diameter of the left atrium, left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters, and blood lipids and other laboratory parameters (all p < 0.05), but not with NYHA class, left ventricular ejection fraction, and the underlying cause of heart failure. The O3-I did not predict the 3-year mortality risk. ConclusionsOur results show a marked depletion of omega-3 fatty acids in patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure (suggested target range 8–11%). Although the O3-I was associated with a panel of established risk indicators in heart failure, it did not predict mortality risk. Clinical Trial Registrationwww.controlled-trials.com; ISRCTN23325295

Omega-3 gantz azidoak eta osasuna

Kate luzeko omega-3 gantz-azido poliasegabeak, azido eikosapentaenoikoa (EPA) eta azido dokosahexaenoikoa (DHA) kasurako, kantitate handitan aurkitzen dira arrain koipetsuetan eta haietatik eratorritako arrain-olioan, zeina elikadura-osagarri gisa erabiltzen den (nutrazeutiko gisa, alegia). EPA zein DHA mintz zelularren fosfolipidoei gehitzen zaizkio, non lipooxigenasa eta ziklooxigenasa entzimen bidez jaria dai- tezkeen, eta zelula babesten duten hanturen kontrako produktuak eratu. Hainbat ikerketaren arabera, EPA eta DHA kontsumitzea baliagarria da zenbait gaixotasun ekiditeko edota haien tratamendurako, hantura-prozesuak eragindako gaixotasunetan bereziki. Hain zuzen ere, EPA eta DHAk hanturaren kontrako propietateak dituzte, bai erresolbina gisako hanturaren kontrako eragileak ekoiztuz, edota hantura eragileak blokeatuz. Ebidentzia zientifiko honen arabera, kate luzeko omega-3 gantz-azidoek zenbait aplikazio izan patologia kliniko edo nutrizional ezberdinen tratamenduan nahiz edota prebentzioan. Alabaina, gaur egun gantz-azido aseen kontsumoa zeharo hazi da, eta lipido onuragarrien kontsumoa, berriz, jaitsi egin da; era honetan, populazioaren atal handi batek omega-3 gantz-azidoen gabezia aurkezten du. Frogatu da egoera honek eragin handia duela endekapenezko gaixotasunen garapenean esaterako, gaixotasun kardiobaskularrak, minbizia, hantura-prozesuak eta bereziki ikusmenaren eta nerbio sistema zentralaren osasunean eta garapenean, non DHA kontzentrazio handiak dauden.

Safety assessment of EPA+DHA canola oil by fatty acid profile comparison to various edible oils and fat-containing foods and a 28-day repeated dose toxicity study in rats

The omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are recognized for their health-promoting qualities. Marine fish and fish oil currently provide the main sources of EPA and DHA for human consumption. An alternative plant-based source of EPA and DHA is provided by EPA + DHA canola event LBFLFK (LBFLFK). A comparative analysis and a 28-day toxicity study assessed the safety of LBFLFK refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) oil. Thirty-one different commercially-obtained fat and oil samples were tested, and principal component analysis showed that the overall fatty acid profile of LBFLFK RBD oil was most similar to Mortierella alpina oil and salmon flesh. Samples with the fewest differences in the presence or absence of individual fatty acids compared to LBFLFK RBD oil were menhaden oil and some other fish oils. In a 28-day toxicity study, LBFLFK RBD oil was administered by oral gavage to male and female Wistar rats. No signs of toxicity were evident and no adverse effects were noted in clinical observations, clinical pathology, or histopathology. Overall, these studies support the safety of LBFLFK RBD oil as a source of EPA and DHA for human consumption.

Comparing patients’ prescribed, self-reported, and actual intake of supplemental eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid

Dietary fish oil supplements containing the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are frequently used for cardiovascular benefit. However, several factors may limit the intake of prescribed doses. The objective of this study is to compare the prescribed, patient self-reported, and actual intake of supplemental EPA+DHA doses in a lipid-specialty clinic and identify common barriers and influences to therapy. Seventy-six patients prescribed supplemental fish oil were randomly selected to participate in a 28-item cross-sectional survey for evaluating patient knowledge and intake of prescribed supplemental EPA+DHA doses. Self-reported data were collected during a follow-up clinic visit, whereas actual intake was determined when patients had access to their fish oil bottle. These data were compared with their chart-documented prescribed EPA+DHA dose. Many patients were well-educated and had attended the lipid-specialty clinic for approximately 2years but only 28.9% were confident that they could accurately recall their daily EPA+DHA dose. There were statistically significant differences between the prescribed doses and patients' self-reported doses (3600mg vs 2750mg, P=.014), as well as between prescribed doses and actual intake (3600mg vs 1575mg, P<.001). Patients reported multiple barriers and influences to explain their use of fish oil products. Most patients using supplemental fish oil in a lipid-specialty clinic were not taking the prescribed amount of EPA+DHA, with many using markedly lower than prescribed doses. This is likely because of several factors including the complexities of supplemental fish oil doses and labeling, product availability, and discount sales. These findings suggest that supplemental fish oil requires continuous education and dosing guidance.

Modulating Survivin as a Radioresistant Factor, Caspase-3, and Apoptosis by Omega-3 Docosahexaenoic Acid Sensitizes Mutant-p53 Colorectal Cancer Cells to γ-Irradiation.

Mutant-p53 colorectal cancer (CRC) cells are often resistant to radiotherapy. Loss of suppressor activity of wt-p53 on survivin is responsible for the enhanced expression of survivin as a radioresistant factor in tumor cells. Yet, no survivin-modulating drug has been approved for clinical application in CRC. Thus, the search for safe compounds that modulate survivin expression and induce apoptosis irrespective of p53 status may potentiate the efficacy of radiotherapy in mutant-p53 CRC cells. Omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) induces apoptosis in malignant cells without cytotoxicity in normal cells. However, little is known whether in vitro concentrations of DHA equal to the human plasma levels are able to modulate expression of survivin and sensitize mutant-p53 CRC cells to γ-irradiation. Radioresistant mutant-p53 HT-29 cells were pretreated with 50- and 100-μM DHA for 48-h before 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, and 10-Gy of γ-irradiation. Thereafter, proliferation rates were measured after 6 d. HT-29 cells were also pretreated with 50- and 100-μM DHA for 4-h before 2- and 10-Gy of γ-irradiation after which, cell number, survivin expression, caspase-3 activation, apoptosis, and ED50 (γ-irradiation dose causing 50% growth inhibition) were evaluated. Pretreatment of HT-29 cells with 50- and 100-μM DHA for 48-h followed by 2- to 10-Gy of γ-irradiation induced a dose-dependent additive decrease in cell proliferation rate and ED50 values were decreased by 88%, 44%, 41%, and 27% for 500-, 1500-, 2500-, and 5000 cells per well pretreated with 100-μM DHA respectively. Pretreatment of 5 × 105 HT-29 cells per well with 100-μM DHA for 4-h followed by 2- or 10-Gy of irradiation resulted in 53% and 86% decreases in cell numbers, 2- and 5.1-fold activation in caspase-3 followed by 66% and 60% decreases in survivin mRNA levels respectively. DHA in combination with radiation increased total apoptotic rate 48-h post-treatment. DHA decreases survivin expression and induces caspase-3 activation irrespective of p53 status. Significant decreases in ED50 values at concentrations of DHA equal to human plasma levels, suggesting that DHA could be used as an attractive radiosensitizer agent in CRC patients with mutant-p53.

Cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, fatty acids, and their relation in recurrent depression

BackgroundAlterations in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA)-axis activity, fatty acid metabolism, and their relation have been associated with (recurrent) major depressive disorder (MDD), although conflicting findings exist. AimsTo determine whether alterations in HPA-axis activity and fatty acids in recurrent MDD remain during remission (i.e. reflect a potential trait factor). Furthermore, to test the association between HPA-axis activity and fatty acids in patients versus controls. MethodsWe cross-sectionally compared 73 remitted unmedicated recurrent MDD patients with 46 matched never-depressed controls. Measurements included salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) (awakening, evening, and after sad mood induction) and erythrocyte fatty acid parameters: (I) three main fatty acids [omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and the omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid/omega-6 arachidonic acid (EPA/AA)-ratio], and (II) structural fatty acid indices [chain length, unsaturation and peroxidation]. ResultsPatients showed higher cortisol awakening responses (p = 0.006) and lower evening cortisol/DHEAS ratios (p = 0.044) compared to matched controls. Fatty acids did not differ between patients and controls, but HPA-axis indicators were significantly associated with fatty acid parameters in both groups (0.001 ≤ p ≤ 0.043). Patients and controls significantly differed in the relations between awakening DHEAS or cortisol/DHEAS ratios and fatty acid parameters, including unsaturation and peroxidation indices (0.001≤ p ≤ 0.034). Significance remained after correction for confounders. ConclusionsOur results further support alterations in HPA-axis activity, i.e. a lower baseline, but higher responsiveness of awakening cortisol, in remitted medication-free recurrent MDD patients. Furthermore, the relationship between HPA-axis and fatty acids showed significant differences in recurrent MDD patients versus controls. Prospective research is needed to determine the predictive value of this relationship for MDD recurrence.

Omega-3 fatty acids in coronary heart disease: Recent updates and future perspectives.

Incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) increases worldwide with varying etiological factors. In addition to the control of risk factors, dietary modification has been recommended to reduce the prevalence. Omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acids (FAs), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), of fish oil are beneficial for the prevention of CHD. The effect can be ascribed to anti-inflammatory, vasodilating, antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive activities and lowering of triacyl glycerol level. The American Heart Association advises two fish meals per week in subjects without CHD or supplementation of 1 g of EPA plus DHA per day in subjects with CHD. Despite the beneficial effects of EPA/DHA reported in some of the clinical trials, results of many others were inconsistent that can be ascribed to short duration of studies, low doses of ω-3 FAs, variations in the EPA:DHA ratio, selection of patients with different risk factors or interaction of ω-3 FAs with drugs used in the therapy. Therefore, well designed clinical trials in various populations are warranted. This article discusses the current situation and future prospective of ω-3 FAs in CHD.

Mitigation of Particulate Matter-Induced Inflammation and Vasoactivity in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells by Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids.

Airborne particulate matter (PM) exposure remains the leading environmental risk factor for disease globally. Interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of PM are required, since there is no discernible threshold for its effects, and exposure reduction approaches are limited. The mitigation of PM (specifically diesel exhaust particles (DEP))-induced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) and vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) after 24 and 48 h of exposure by pre-treatment with individual pure, combined pure, and an oil formulation of two fish oil omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were all tested at an equivalent concentration of 100 µM in vitro in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The PUFAs and fish oil formulation completely mitigated or diminished the DEP-induced release of IL-6, IL-8, and ET-1 by 14–78%. DHA was more effective in reducing the levels of the DEP-induced release of the cytokines, especially IL-6 after 48 h of DEP exposure in comparison to EPA (p < 0.05), whereas EPA seemed to be more potent in reducing ET-1 levels. The potential of fish ω-3 PUFAs to mitigate PM-induced inflammation and vasoactivity was demonstrated by this study.

Omega-3 fatty acids moderate oxidative and proinflammatory events in experimental hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats: comparison with livolin

Dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids have been advocated because of the global preference for the omega-6 fatty acids - rich Western style diet. The study investigated the effects of omega-3 fatty acids (combination of N-3: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); EPA/DHA ratio = 3/2) compared to livolin (Phosphatidylcholin + vitamins) on biochemical and haematological parameters in diclofenac (DF) - induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Twenty five rats were used. They were divided into 5 groups (n = 5) which included: Group 1-Control (untreated); Group 2-DF control; Group 3-DF + Low N-3; Group 4-DF+High N-3; and, Group 5-DF + Livolin. Group 2 received DF at 10 mg/kg b.w. (i.m.) during the first 7days of the experiment, thereafter; they were administered distilled water (0.1 ml) for three weeks. Groups 3, 4, and 5 were pre-treated with DF during the first 7days of the experiment, afterwards, they were post-treated with N-3 and livolin at 100, 300, and 5.2 mg/kg b.w. (p.o.) respectively for 21days.The results showed that DF caused significant increases in MDA, LDH, proinflammatory markers, ALT, AST, and ALP activities, but, significant decreases in antioxidant indices. However, post-treatment with N-3 or livolin corrected these deviations. Although there was evidence of the dose dependent effects of N-3, the high dose was not always the most effective. The histological results proved that livolin has a more hepatoprotective action than N-3, although the biochemical and haematological findings attested that both therapies have comparable effects. It was concluded that livolin proffers a more protective effect than N-3 in DF-induced hepatotoxicity.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid differentially impact cardiolipin remodeling in activated macrophage

BackgroundThe macrophage plays an important role in innate immunity to induce immune responses. Lipid replacement therapy has been shown to change the lipid compositions of mitochondria and potentially becomes an alternative to reduce the inflammatory response.MethodsWe examined the effects of omega-6 arachidonic acid (AA), omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation on the activated the macrophage cell line RAW264.7 via KdO2-lipid A (KLA). The mitochondrial cardiolipin (CL) and monolysocardiolipin (MLCL) were analyzed by LC-MS.ResultsAfter macrophage activation by KLA, CL shifted to saturated species, but did not affect the quantity of CL. Inhibition of delta 6 desaturase also resulted in the same trend of CL species shift. We further examined the changes in CL and MLCL species induced by polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation during inflammation. After supplementation of AA, EPA and DHA, the MLCL/CL ratio increased significantly in all treatments. The percentages of the long-chain species highly elevated and those of short-chain species reduced in both CL and MLCL.ConclusionsComparisons of AA, EPA and DHA supplementation revealed that the 20-carbon EPA (20:5) and AA (20:4) triggered higher incorporation and CL remodeling efficiency than 22-carbon DHA (22:6). EPA supplementation not only efficiently extended the chain length of CL but also increased the unsaturation of CL.

The differential effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on seizure frequency in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy — A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

ObjectivesThe omega-3 (n−3) fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are known to play an important role in maintenance and modulation of neuronal functions. There is evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may have anticonvulsant effects. The effect of DHA and EPA on seizure rate in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) was investigated. MethodsA double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial included ninety-nine (n = 99) subjects with DRE, aged 5–16 years (n = 85) and 17–45 years (n = 14). After randomization, subjects were given two, four, or six capsules per day of DHA (417.8 mg DHA and 50.8 mg EPA/capsule, n = 33), EPA (385.6 mg EPA and 81.2 mg DHA/capsule, n = 33), or placebo (high oleic acid sunflower oil, n = 33) for one year. The primary endpoint was the effect of treatment on rate of seizure. Random-effects negative binomial regression models were fitted to model the patients' total count of seizures per month. The treatment effects on seizure incidence rate ratio (IRR) were tested after controlling for the covariate effects of gender, age, rate of seizure per week at enrollment, type of seizure, and number of antiepileptic drug (AED) combinations used at enrollment. ResultsFifty-nine subjects (n = 59) completed the study (59.6%). The average number of seizures per month were 9.7 ± 1.2 in the EPA group, 11.7 ± 1.5 in the DHA group, and 16.6 ± 1.5 in the placebo group. Age, gender, and seizure-type adjusted seizure IRRs of the EPA and DHA groups compared with the placebo group were 0.61 (CI = 0.42–0.88, p = 0.008, 42% reduction) and 0.67 (CI = 0.46–1.0, p = 0.04, 39% reduction), respectively. There was no difference in IRR between the EPA and DHA groups (p = 0.56). Both treatment groups had a significantly higher number of seizure-free days compared with the placebo group (p < 0.05). SignificanceThis study demonstrates that EPA and DHA are effective in reducing seizure frequency in patients with DRE.

Cosmetic and Therapeutic Applications of Fish Oil's Fatty Acids on the Skin.

Fish oil has been broadly reported as a potential supplement to ameliorate the severity of some skin disorders such as photoaging, skin cancer, allergy, dermatitis, cutaneous wounds, and melanogenesis. There has been increasing interest in the relationship of fish oil with skin protection and homeostasis, especially with respect to the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The other PUFAs, such as α-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA), also show a beneficial effect on the skin. The major mechanisms of PUFAs for attenuating cutaneous inflammation are the competition with the inflammatory arachidonic acid and the inhibition of proinflammatory eicosanoid production. On the other hand, PUFAs in fish oil can be the regulators that affect the synthesis and activity of cytokines for promoting wound healing. A systemic review was conducted to demonstrate the association between fish oil supplementation and the benefits to the skin. The following describes the different cosmetic and therapeutic approaches using fatty acids derived from fish oil, especially ALA, LA, DHA, and EPA. This review summarizes the cutaneous application of fish oil and the related fatty acids in the cell-based, animal-based, and clinical models. The research data relating to fish oil treatment of skin disorders suggest a way forward for generating advances in cosmetic and dermatological uses.

Amphibia as a Vector of Transfer of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Omega-3 Fatty Acids from Aquatic to Terrestrial Ecosystems.

The flow of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of the omega-3 family, namely, eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA), exported by amphibian metamorphs from water to terrestrial ecosystems in the Medveditsa River floodplain, was quantified for the first time. The total biomass export by three amphibian species (Pelobates fuscus, Bombina bombina, and Pelophylax ridibundus) per unit area of the lake surface was 0.594 g/m2 per year (as a mean for 2 years). The biomass flow per unit area of land was 0.726 g/ha per year (0.302 g/ha per year for organic carbon) in 2015-2016. The average annual total removal of EPA + DHA by amphibians from the floodplain lake was 1.47 mg/m2 of water surface area. Due to the high content of EPA and DHA in biomass, amphibians are potentially a valuable food for terrestrial predators having no access to other sources of essential PUFAs.

Monitoring of Biochemical Compounds and Fatty Acid in Marine Microalgae from the East Coast of Thailand

Determinations of fatty acid profiles of five microalgae; Amphora sp., Chaetoceros sp., Melosira sp., Bellerochae sp., and Lithodesmium sp., from the east coast of Thailand were evaluated by conventional Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The results exhibited that the fatty acids suitable for biodiesel production were the most frequent entities encountered in all microalgae profiles. The GC chromatogram of fatty acid profiles in microalgae showed that both Amphora sp. and Chaetoceros sp. comprised essential omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Additionally, this study assessed whether Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy could be used to evaluate and monitor the biochemical compositions of microalgae, including lipid, carbohydrate, and protein profiles, by using colorimetric methods. Results showed that FT-IR spectra combined with biochemical values of lipid, carbohydrate, and protein contents were used as predictive models generated by partial least square (PLS) regression. Cross-validation of the lipid, protein, and carbohydrate models showed high degrees of statistical accuracy with RMSECV values of approximately 0.5 - 3.22 %, and a coefficient of regression between the actual and predicted values of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins were 92.66, 95.73, and 96.43 %, respectively. The RPD values were all high (&gt; 3), indicating good predictive accuracy. This study suggested that FT-IR could be a tool for the simultaneous measurement of microalgae composition of biochemical contents in microalgae cells.

A high omega-3 fatty acid diet rapidly changes the lipid composition of cardiac tissue and results in cardioprotection.

The present study was designed to ascertain the effects of 3 diets with different omega-3/6 fatty acid ratios on infarct size and the modifications that these diets induce in the lipid composition of cardiac tissue. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed omega-3/6 fatty acid diets with 1:1, 1:5, or 1:20 ratios for at least 10 days, followed by occlusion of the left anterior descending artery for 40 min and 24 h of reperfusion. Infarct size was significantly smaller in the 1:1 group than in the other groups. Significantly higher concentrations of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid were found in the 1:1 group than in the other groups. Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels were similar between groups, although they were higher in the 1:5 and 1:20 groups than in the 1:1 group. Margaric acid concentrations were higher in the 1:1 group than in the other groups. Docosahexaenoic acid levels in cardiac tissue and infarct size were significantly correlated with no other significant links being apparent. The present study indicated that a 1:1 omega-3/6 fatty acid ratio protected against ischemia and was associated with increased omega-3 fatty acid composition of cardiac tissue.