Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Research Articles

Background: Cardiac surgery remains associated with a high incidence of cardiac and renal complications, mainly due to oxidative stress. This provides a rationale for evaluating antioxidant therapy as a preventive strategy. Despite advances in perioperative care improving outcomes and lowering mortality, the role of nutritional interventions—particularly antioxidants—remains under investigation. Methods: We conducted a systematic search across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases (1990-2025) We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated antioxidant supplementation, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), or N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in comparison to placebo among patients undergoing any form of cardiac surgery. Primary outcomes assessed were postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), acute kidney injury (AKI), all-cause mortality, and the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) .A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 65 studies encompassing 12,259 patients were included. N-acetylcysteine administration was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (OR 0.47; 95% CI: 0.32–0.71; p = 0.0002); it did not result in a substantial reduction in the incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury (OR 0.81; 95% CI: 0.63–1.06; p = 0.12), postoperative mortality (OR 0.69; 95% CI: 0.38–1.25; p = 0.22), or need for renal replacement therapy (OR 1.11; 95% CI: 0.58–2.13; p = 0.76). Vitamin C supplementation significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (OR 0.46; 95% CI: 0.28–0.78; p = 0.004) and postoperative mortality (OR 0.20; 95% CI: 0.05–0.75; p = 0.02);, it showed no change in the incidence of acute kidney injury (OR 0.63; 95% CI: 0.27–1.49; p = 0.30). Supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids was associated with a reduction in the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (OR 0.70; 95% CI: 0.54–0.92; p = 0.009); however, it did not reduce the incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury (OR 1.11; 95% CI: 0.51–2.41; p = 0.80) or postoperative mortality (OR 0.61; 95% CI: 0.32–1.16; p = 0.13). Conclusion: Antioxidant therapies, particularly N-acetylcysteine and vitamin C, significantly reduce POAF after cardiac surgery, underscoring oxidative stress as a key therapeutic target.

Background: The growing prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors creates a need for deeper understanding of the metabolic pathways that promote cardiac dysfunction and heart failure (HF) to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Objective: We sought to identify potentially causal metabolic contributors to the development of HF in the MGB Biobank, which has metabolomics data and a validated machine learning- and natural language processing-based algorithm for HF case ascertainment. Methods: We included MGB Biobank participants with metabolomics data and no history of HF. The primary exposures were plasma levels of 43 metabolites measured using a commercial H 1 nuclear magnetic resonance platform. The primary outcome was incident HF, ascertained by a validated machine learning- and natural language processing-based algorithm (area-under-the-curve: 0.92; positive predictive value: 0.90). We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to quantify the associations between a 1-SD difference in metabolite level and the time to incident HF. We tested the potential causality of each metabolite-heart failure association using three different Mendelian randomization methods and genome-wide association summary statistics from the UK Biobank (metabolomics) and HERMES consortium (HF). Results: The final analytical cohort included 38,628 individuals (mean age: 63 years; 56% women). A total of 375 incident heart failure events occurred over a median follow-up of 7 (5-9) years (1.5 [1.4-1.7] events per 1,000 person-years). Higher plasma levels of glutamine and phenylalanine associated with higher risk of incident HF while higher levels of total phospholipids, cholines, phosphoglycerides, phosphatidylcholines and docosohexaenoic acid were associated with lower HF risk. Higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (driven by linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid) and sphingomyelins were associated with lower incident HF risk only in the subgroup with diabetes (P-interaction < 0.05 for each). Mendelian randomization analysis provided evidence of causal relationships in all three models for total polyunsaturated fatty acids, total omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and linoleic acid with incident HF in the general population. Conclusions: Dysregulated fatty acid metabolism, primarily docosohexaenoic acid and linoleic acid, is causally associated with a higher risk of incident heart failure.

Background: Suboptimal dietary patterns constitute a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women, yet the global and temporal dynamics of diet related CVD burden remain incompletely characterized. Understanding how specific dietary components have influenced CVD outcomes in women from 1990-2021 can inform targeted prevention strategies across diverse settings. Method: Using Global Burden of Disease 2021 framework, we quantified age-standardized DALYs and deaths due to CVD attributable to dietary risks in women across 204 countries from 1990–2021. Dietary exposure estimates came from population surveys and were linked to CVD outcomes via meta-analytic relative risks. We calculated absolute counts and percentage changes over time, with stratification by age, year and location. Results: From 1990-2021, DALYs for CVD in women attributable to high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages increased by 75%, followed by deficits in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids 48%, insufficient whole grain intake 33%, excessive sodium intake 24%, inadequate fruit consumption 23%, low seafood omega-3 fatty acids 18%, insufficient vegetable intake 15%, inadequate legumes 14%, low nuts and seeds 14%, and inadequate dietary fiber 2%. In contrast, DALYs related to high red meat consumption declined by 1%, while burdens linked to trans fatty acids and processed meats rose by 28% and 34%, respectively. Regionally, South Asia (SA) experienced the largest rise in CVD DALYs due to dietary risks, climbing from 6.76 million to 14.14 million (an increase of 7.78 million), whereas High-SDI regions saw a decline from 7.29 million to 5.17 million (a decrease of 2.12 million). Mortality attributable to dietary risks increased most markedly in SA 136%, followed by Low-Middle SDI 90%, Low SDI 83%, and Sub-Saharan Africa 78% between 1990 and 2021. Age-specific trends revealed that women aged 55 years and older experienced a 38% rise in deaths and a 31% rise in DALYs, whereas those aged 20–54 years saw a 17% increase in both deaths and DALYs over the same period. Conclusion: Over three decades, high sugar-sweetened beverage intake and insufficient whole grains, omega-6 fats, and fruits have driven rising CVD burden in women—most pronounced in SA and lower-SDI regions—while High-SDI areas saw declines. Tailored policies to reduce sugar-sweetened beverages and boost consumption of whole grains, fruits, and polyunsaturated fats are urgently needed to reverse these trends.

In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, hypoxia is a crucial component of the tumour microenvironment and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Adaptation to extreme hypoxic settings is based on abnormal lipid metabolism, but insights into how hypoxia-regulated lipid changes link with aggressive migratory potential in pancreatic cancer are lacking. This study investigates the molecular processes, pathways, and critical proteins involved in hypoxia-induced lipidic and polyunsaturated fatty acid alterations in pancreatic cancer. Our findings elucidate increased multilayer unsaturation in FA chains of major lipid classes associated with greater migration and invasion, as well as higher abundances of particular desaturases. The expression of these proteins was verified in clinical tumour samples by unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis-related gene enrichment score. High unsaturated fatty acid clusters were shown to be associated with a low survival rate. Pathway correlation and protein-protein interaction analysis indicated that the PPAR-hypoxia axis and SCD/FADS2/APOC3-HDLBP protein network are implicated in mediating the observed alterations in lipid pools and poly-unsaturation levels in pancreatic cancer under hypoxia. These results provide novel therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer while improving our understanding of hypoxia-induced migratory potential in pancreatic cancer.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of N-acylethanolamines of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Vitro.

Background: Platelets express 12-lipoxygenase (ALOX12) and 12/15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15) which exhibit positional specificity in the oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid. Although ALOX12 has been studied extensively in platelets, its role in platelet function is controversial. On the other hand, the role of ALOX15 in platelet activation has never been investigated. Hypothesis: Does ALOX15 (aka 12/15-LOX) play a role in platelet activation and hemostasis? Methods: 12/15-LOX -/- mice as well as pharmacological and molecular approaches were used. Results: Genetic deletion of 12/15-LOX suppressed thrombin-induced PAR4 myristoylation and its membrane trafficking causing a reduction in its interaction with PAR3 in mouse platelets. We also found that 12/15-LOX via activation of protein kinase Cq (PKCq) mediates N-myristoyltransferase 1 (NMT1) phosphorylation in the modulation of thrombin-induced PAR4 myristoylation. In line with these observations, genetic deletion or inhibition of 12/15-LOX or pharmacological blockade of PKCq or NMT1 attenuated thrombin-induced PAR4 myristoylation, trafficking, and its interaction with PAR3 leading to reduced mouse platelet activation. Consistent with these observations, genetic deletion or inhibition of 12/15-LOX or blockade of PKCq or NMT1 exhibited prolonged bleeding time and delayed clotting and clot-retraction times in mice. Intriguingly, thrombin induces myristoylation and trafficking of both PAR1 and PAR4 facilitating their interaction in the plasma membrane of human platelets and inhibition of 15-LOX1, the human orthologue of murine 12/15-LOX, attenuated these effects. In addition, inhibition of 15-LOX1 blunted thrombin-induced human platelet activation and clot-retraction. Thus, our findings unfold a novel role for 12/15-LOX in the myristoylation and trafficking of PAR4 in mice and PAR1/4 in humans facilitating PAR3/4 interactions in mice and PAR1/4 interactions in humans leading to platelet activation and hemostasis. Conclusions: Our observations reveal a novel role for 12/15-LOX in the myristoylation and trafficking of PARs leading to their interactions in the plasma membrane potentiating platelet activation and hemostasis. Based on these observations, 12/15-LOX could be an ideal target for drug development against platelet disorders.

Background and aims Evidence suggests that diet influences the pathophysiology of asthma, but its role in pediatric obesity-related asthma is unclear. This case–control study aimed to explore the relationships between nutrient intake and the pathophysiology of asthma in children who are overweight or obese. Methods Participants of the Sphingolipids in Childhood Asthma and Obesity study (100 children aged 6–17 years) were divided into four groups: normal weight with asthma (NW-A, n = 16); overweight or obese with asthma (OO-A, n = 26); normal weight (NW, n = 33); overweight or obese (OO, n = 25). Dietary intake was recorded via 3-day food diaries. Diet quantity and quality were assessed using UK Government Dietary Recommendations and dietary inflammatory index (DII) scores. Nutrient intake was compared across groups, and regression analyses were applied to identify the top contributors to asthma and obesity-associated asthma. Correlation analyses were used to assess the associations between the most important nutrients and clinical parameters. Results Fatty acids (FAs), including saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FAs, were identified as the most significant contributors to asthma and obesity-associated asthma, followed by several vitamins, fibers, and sugars. The relationships between nutrients and clinical parameters showed different patterns in the NW-A and OO-A groups. In NW-A, intakes of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FAs, including α -linolenic acid (PUFA 18:3, n-3), were positively associated with vital capacity and total lung capacity and inversely related to plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-10; while soluble fiber intake was negatively correlated with lung clearance index. In OO-A, FAs, including linoleic acid (PUFA 18:2, n-6) and α -linolenic acid, and vitamin E isoforms were positively associated with vital capacity, total lung capacity, inspiratory capacity, and forced vital capacity, and negatively associated with lung clearance index and forced expiratory volume in 1 s. Multiple saturated FA intakes were negatively associated with levels of IL-10, IL-17A, and IL-2. Conclusion This study suggests that certain dietary components, such as FAs and fiber, may have different effects on asthma in overweight or obese children compared to normal weight children. Thus, tailored dietary modifications, guided by body mass index, could improve asthma symptoms. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these associations and guide dietary recommendations.

Abstract This multi‐year study highlights the ecological role of diversity and fatty acid availability in phytoplankton communities and their complex interactions with zooplankton. These findings, achieved through large‐scale mesocosm experiments, provide novel evidence of the critical role of biochemical components in shaping zooplankton community composition in natural environments, which short‐term and less complex laboratory studies cannot reveal. Over several years in a meso‐oligotrophic lake, we investigated how phytoplankton diversity affects zooplankton growth and community composition via fatty acid availability. Results show that changes in phytoplankton fatty acid profiles influenced zooplankton abundance. Physiologically essential polyunsaturated fatty acids—arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids—were crucial for the presence of key zooplankton groups, including copepods and Daphnia . The study also revealed that different zooplankton species exhibited varied responses to fatty acids, highlighting the importance of dietary complementarity within zooplankton communities. While the findings largely support previous laboratory studies, they also reveal unique complexities in natural systems, where other factors may modulate the effects of fatty acids. This research underscores the significance of considering fatty acid profiles in understanding phytoplankton–zooplankton interactions and offers experimental evidence on the ecological consequences of changes in phytoplankton diversity in natural complex communities.

Given the yearly challenging environmental scenario with more and more frequent and intense heat waves, the livestock sector has to find affordable and sustainable solutions to face the expected increase in meat demand by 2050. Among livestock species, rabbits are particularly sensitive to heat stress (HS) but, paradoxically, the scientific background on the response of different genetics to environmental stressors like HS is rather scarce. This is a significant gap, especially considering that most of the demographic growth, and meat demand, is expected in developing countries where rabbits play a key role in subsistence farming. Therefore, this research investigated the effects of environmental temperature (Control—20 °C; High—28 °C) on growth performance, slaughter traits and meat quality of three Hungarian rabbit genotypes (Pannon Large—PL; Pannon White—PW; Pannon Ka—PK). Animals (n = 360) were housed in wire-mesh cages (3 animals/cage) in two separate controlled-temperature rooms (60 rabbits/genotype/room), from 5 to 11 weeks of age, during which they received ad libitum feed and water. Even if the three genotypes were exposed to the same environmental challenge, they exhibited different responses. The PL line showed superior performance, with the highest carcass weight and yield (p < 0.001), and the greatest water-holding capacity (p < 0.01) in the loin muscle. The PW rabbits showed the largest reduction in overall weight gain (−24.7%; p < 0.001) and the lowest decrease in feed conversion ratio (−3.20%; p < 0.001). PK rabbits experienced the greatest reduction in total dissectible fat (−34.6%; p < 0.001) and hind leg lipid content (−20.3%; p < 0.01), with the highest proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.01), which fostered meat lipid oxidation (p < 0.05). As expected, these differences in performance and meat quality traits reflected the distinct selection criteria and genetic background of these genotypes: the PL is a paternal line, the PK is a maternal line, and the PW is a productive line. Regarding the temperature effect, PK and PW genotypes were the most impacted by chronic HS: PW rabbits suffered the largest performance depression, while PK rabbits showed the worst carcass and meat quality traits. Instead, PL rabbits demonstrated the best outcomes under chronic HS, showing the greatest productive efficiency and satisfactory meat quality traits.

Citrus bioflavonoids (CB) are well recognized for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and digestion-promoting properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary CB supplementation on apparent nutrient digestibility, lactation performance, blood biochemical/immunological parameters, and the ruminal microbial community of dairy buffaloes during hot weather. A 35-day trial was conducted using 20 Mediterranean dairy buffaloes, which were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (CON) fed a basal diet, and a CB-supplemented group (CB) fed the basal diet plus 20 g/d of CB. The results showed that compared with the CON group, CB supplementation significantly reduced ( p < 0.05) the respiratory rate, and increased ( p < 0.05) the apparent digestibility of acid detergent fiber in buffaloes. Regarding lactation performance, CB supplementation significantly elevated ( p < 0.05 ) milk yield, 4% fat corrected milk, and the percentage of milk protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat; it also increased the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids in milk while decreasing ( p < 0.05) the concentration of saturated fatty acids. For blood parameters, the CB group exhibited significantly higher ( p < 0.05) blood catalase activity, immunoglobulin M concentration, and heat shock protein 70 concentration, as well as significantly lower ( p < 0.05) concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor- α , interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. In terms of ruminal function, CB supplementation significantly increased ( p < 0.05) ruminal microbial crude protein concentration. There was a tendency toward higher (0.05 < p < 0.10) microbial α -diversity indices (Chao 1, Ace, and Shannon) in the CB group, accompanied by the enrichment of several bacterial genera within the family Lachnospiraceae and other saccharolyti c taxa, and the suppression of the genus Segatella . In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 20 g/d CB enhances the lactation performance of heat-stressed dairy buffaloes by improving the ruminal microenvironment and host health status.

Base excision repair (BER) is an important mechanism for maintaining genomic integrity and preventing DNA damage and mutations induced by oxidative stress. This study aimed to examine the relationship between oxidative stress and BER activity in newborn piglets by supplementing their mothers’ diets during pregnancy with long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from algal and fish oils, provided either in natural form or as nanoparticles. BER enzyme activity was assessed using a nicking assay, and their gene expression levels by RT-qPCR in the livers of pregnant gilts and their offspring. Preliminary results indicated that maternal supplementation with oils rich in long-chain n-3 PUFAs significantly reduced (by 32%) BER capacity in the livers of their offspring. A corresponding decrease in mRNA expression of BER genes (TDG, MPG, OGG1) was observed in piglets from gilts receiving fish and algal oil supplements. Maternal supplementation with long-chain n-3 PUFAs may protect foetuses and neonates against oxidative stress, reducing DNA damage and enhancing genomic stability, which could positively influence early postnatal growth. The observed reduction in BER enzyme activity in newborn piglets likely reflected improved DNA integrity, and natural oil forms appeared more effective than their nanoparticle formulations. Disparities in socioeconomic areas related to access to functional foods with health-promoting properties highlight the importance of targeted strategies that integrate local systems and promote nutritional equity.

Jasmonates regulate metabolic cascade towards Eicosapentaenoic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid biosynthesisin filamentous microalga Tribonema minus.

Immobilization of lipase for two-step hydrolysis to enrich n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in glyceride form.

Effect of rumen-protected betaine and choline on carcass characteristics, amino acid and fatty acid composition of Ao-hu sheep.

Dual targeting of lipogenesis and PUFAs homeostasis by compound kushen injection suppresses breast cancer bone metastasis.

Precision targeted delivery based on PUFAs: Overview, strategies and applications.

Particle size-dependent neurotoxicity of microplastics in zebrafish (Danio rerio): Spatially resolved lipidomics links metabolic dysregulation to neurological disorders.

Chitin nanocrystal/carboxymethyl cellulose bilayer emulsion with rigid inner layer and flexible outer shell for ultra-stable encapsulation of fish oil.

Quantitative profiling of fatty acids in tropical oysters (Crassostrea spp.) using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography.

Effects of diet on sperm functionality and cryopreservation tolerance in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).