Proportion Of Eicosapentaenoic Acid Research Articles

A phylogenetic approach for identifying new sources of economically important fatty acids in plants and algae

Societal Impact StatementNew sources of essential and other nutritionally and/or pharmacologically important fatty acids for human use can be discovered through bioprospecting. Demonstrating how fatty acids in plants and algae are distributed across a phylogeny is a critical first step in this process. Here, new sources of essential omega‐3 fatty acids that are critically important to human health were identified, such as green and Chromista algae, bryophytes and some angiosperm families. The identification of certain taxa that are high in critical fatty acids is important for developing new sources of these healthful compounds.Summary Essential fatty acids (EFA) including long‐chain omega‐3 and omega‐6 EFA are key nutrients that broadly support the health of individuals and the ecosystems they inhabit. Production of these EFA is critical to global nutritional security, and therefore, it is imperative to assess the distribution patterns of FA in plants to bioprospect new resources that do not threaten biodiversity. We used a meta‐analytic approach (phylogenetic signal analysis), which incorporated a wide variety of taxa to map FA profiles including both presence and abundance of specific FA and EFA onto a plant phylogeny including algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms. Our phylogenetic signal analysis revealed that presence/absence of most FA of interest were randomly or ubiquitously distributed, while FA content was significantly clustered in specific clades for most key FA (including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and nervonic acid). Both green and Chromista algae displayed relatively high proportions of EPA and DHA, while green algae contained higher proportional amounts of stearidonic acid (SDA). Further, signal analysis revealed high proportional content of gamma‐linoleic acid (GLA) in bryophytes and some angiosperm families, suggesting potential sources for bioprospecting GLA. This analysis provides a crucial foundation for understanding the influence of phylogenetic relationships in the relative proportions of key FA in plants and algae across a diverse phylogeny. Furthermore, in demonstrating how fatty acids in plants and algae are distributed across a phylogeny, we provide a critical first step in bioprospecting for new sources of essential and other nutritionally‐ and/or pharmacologically important fatty acids for human use.

Optimization and mechanism analysis of photosynthetic EPA production in Nannochloropsis salina: Evaluating the effect of temperature and nitrogen concentrations

Microalgae, recognized as sustainable and eco-friendly photosynthetic microorganisms, play a pivotal role in converting CO2 into value-added products. Among these, Nannochloropsis salina (Microchloropsis salina) stands out, particularly for its ability to produce eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a crucial omega-3 fatty acid with significant health benefits such as anti-inflammatory properties and cardiovascular health promotion. This study focused on optimizing the cultivation conditions of Nannochloropsis salina to maximize EPA production. We thoroughly investigated the effects of varying temperatures and nitrogen (NaNO3) concentrations on biomass, total lipid content, and EPA proportions. We successfully identified optimal conditions at an initial NaNO3 concentration of 1.28 g.L−1 and a temperature of 21 °C. This condition was further validated by response surface methodology, which resulted in the highest EPA productivity reported in batch systems (14.4 mg.L−1.day−1). Quantitative real-time PCR and transcriptomic analysis also demonstrated a positive correlation between specific gene expressions and enhanced EPA production. Through a comprehensive lipid analysis and photosynthetic pigment analysis, we deduced that the production of EPA in Nannochloropsis salina seemed to be produced by the remodeling of chloroplast membrane lipids. These findings provide crucial insights into how temperature and nutrient availability influence fatty acid composition in N. salina, offering valuable guidance for developing strategies to improve EPA production in various microalgae species.

Lipid transfers within the lower food web of western Arctic seas

Polar marine ecosystems are undergoing major transformations due to climate change. Alterations of the physical and chemical growth conditions for plankton are likely to propagate through the food web, potentially having major consequences for the animals that Inuit harvest for subsistence. These alterations can impact the nutritional qualities of plankton through physiological responses or indirectly via changes in the taxonomic composition of assemblages. This study focuses on lipids, which provide a vital source of energy in cold waters, and on essential fatty acids (EFA), such as omega-3 and omega-6 FA, which are necessary for the function, growth, and reproduction of organisms. To better understand how EFA propagate and accumulate in the lower food web, we compared the fatty acid composition of phytoplankton and copepods across a large portion of the western Arctic. The bulk lipid profiles of copepod assemblages were determined largely by their taxonomic composition, but specific fatty acid groups (e.g., omega-6 and saturated fatty acids) exhibited strong correlations with water properties (e.g., pH, salinity). A comparative analysis of specific fatty acids suggests that the animals accumulate eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) but metabolize its precursors, although these processes were not measured directly. The proportions of EPA, docosahexaenoic acid, and specific omega-7 FA (e.g., 16:1ω7) were much higher in copepods than in phytoplankton, and a fatty acid diatom marker accounted for over 45% of the fatty acid pool in copepods. The positive relationship between proportions of this marker in copepods and phytoplankton implies that the fatty acid content of copepods is influenced primarily by recent feeding. These results underscore the importance of long-lived subsurface chlorophyll maxima for trophic transfers of EFA in the strongly stratified waters of the Pacific-influenced sector of the Arctic Ocean and question the paradigm that copepods rely principally on brief surface blooms to rapidly store lipids for the following winter.

Bioproduction of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by nematode fatty acid desaturases and elongase in Drosophila melanogaster.

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), including α-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are essential nutrients for vertebrates including humans. Vertebrates are n-3 PUFA-auxotrophic; hence, dietary intake of n-3 PUFAs is required for their normal physiology and development. Although fish meal and oil have been utilized as primary sources of n-3 PUFAs by humans and aquaculture, these traditional n-3 PUFA sources are expected to be exhausted because of the increasing consumption requirements of humans. Hence, it is necessary to establish alternative n-3 PUFA sources to reduce the gap between the supply and demand of n-3 PUFAs. Here, we investigated whether insects, which are considered as a novel source of essential nutrients, could store n-3 PUFAs by the forced expression of n-3 PUFA biosynthetic enzymes. We utilized Drosophila as an insect model to generate transgenic strains expressing Caenorhabditis elegans PUFA biosynthetic enzymes and examined their effects on the proportion of fatty acids. The ubiquitous expression of methyl-end desaturase FAT-1 prominently enhanced the proportions of α-linolenic acid, indicating that FAT-1 is useful for metabolic engineering to fortify α-linolenic acid in insect. Furthermore, the ubiquitous expression of nematode front-end desaturases (FAT-3 and FAT-4), PUFA elongase (ELO-1), and FAT-1 led to EPA bioproduction. Hence, nematode PUFA biosynthetic genes may serve as powerful genetic tools for enhancing the proportion of EPA in insects. This study represents the first step toward the establishment of n-3 PUFA-producing insects.

Caiman's fat enriched with n-3 fatty acids: potential food supplement.

Broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) products (meat, fat and oil) are currently beginning to be valued as a food of special interest due to its high content of n-3 fatty acids. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the fats of caiman fed with diets enriched with flaxseeds (Linus usitatissimun) rich in n-3 fatty acids, lignans and antioxidants. Caimans were fed six days a week with: a control diet (C), and a diet enriched with ground flaxseed = 90% C + 10% flaxseed ground (FS), during 30 (FS30) and 60 (FS60) days. Animals fed the flaxseed-enriched diets increased linolenic acid content and reduced the n-6/n-3 ratio of fats relative to controls, and this improvement increased over time. The proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid also increased, but there was no difference at the time the enriched diets were offered. Caiman fat of the FS30 and FS60, showed a decrease in lipoperoxidation (24% and 40%) and reactive oxygen species (44% and 76%) accompanied by an increase in antioxidant systems. Consumption of a flax-enriched diet by caimans increases the content of essential fatty acids and improves the lipoperoxidative status of fat. This provides an enriched fat with potential for the development products for human consumption.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals an Eicosapentaenoic Acid Accumulation Mechanism in a Schizochytrium sp. Mutant.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) essential for human health. Schizochytrium is a marine eukaryote that has been widely utilized for the synthesis of PUFAs. The current low potency and performance of EPA production by fermentation of Schizochytrium spp. limits its prospect in commercial production of EPA. Since the synthesis pathway of EPA in Schizochytrium spp. is still unclear, mutagenesis combined with efficient screening methods are still desirable. In this study, a novel screening strategy was developed based on a two-step progressive mutagenesis method based on atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP) and diethyl sulfate (DES) after multiple stresses (sethoxydim, triclosan and 2,2'-bipyridine) compound screening. Finally, the mutant strain DBT-64 with increased lipid (1.57-fold, 31.71 g/L) and EPA (5.64-fold, 1.86 g/L) production was screened from wild-type (W) strains; the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content of mutant DBT-64 (M) was 11.41% lower than that of wild-type strains. Comparative transcriptomic analysis showed that the expression of genes related to the polyketide synthase, fatty acid prolongation, and triglyceride synthesis pathways was significantly upregulated in the mutant strain, while the expression of genes involved in the β-oxidation pathway and fatty acid degradation pathway was downregulated in favor of EPA biosynthesis in Schizochytrium. This study provides an effective strain improvement method to enhance EPA accumulation in Schizochytrium spp. IMPORTANCE Schizochytrium, a marine eukaryotic microorganism, has emerged as a candidate for the commercial production of PUFAs. EPA is an omega-3 PUFA with preventive and therapeutic effects against cardiovascular diseases, schizophrenia, and other disorders. Currently, the low potency and performance of EPA production by Schizochytrium spp. limits its commercialization. In this study, we performed two-step progressive mutagenesis based on ARTP and DES and screened multiple stresses (sethoxydim, triclosan, and 2,2'-bipyridine) to obtain the EPA-high-yielding Schizochytrium mutant. In addition, high expression of the polyketide synthase pathway, fatty acid elongation pathway, and triglyceride synthesis pathway in the mutants was confirmed by transcriptomic analysis. Therefore, the multistress screening platform established in this study is important for breeding EPA-producing Schizochytrium spp. and provides valuable information for regulating the proportion of EPA in microalgal lipids by means of genetic engineering.

Positional Distribution of Fatty Acids in Processed Chinook Salmon Roe Lipids Determined by 13C Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR)

Recently, there has been great interest in the lipidomic of marine lipids and their potential health benefits. Processing of seafood products can potentially modify the characteristics and composition of lipids. The present study investigated the effect of processing methods (salting and fermentation) on the positional distribution of fatty acids of Chinook salmon roe using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The NMR analysis provided information on the carbonyl atom, double bond/olefinic, glycerol backbone, aliphatic group, and chain ending methyl group regions. The obtained data showed that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the main fatty acid esterified at the sn-2 position of the triacylglycerides (TAGs), while other fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and stearidonic acid (SDA), were randomly distributed or preferentially esterified at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions. Fermentation of salmon roe was found to enrich the level of DHA at the sn-2 position of the TAG. The processing of roe by both salt drying and fermentation did not appear to affect the proportion of EPA at the sn-2 position. This present study demonstrated that fish roe processing can enhance the proportion of DHA at the sn-2 position and potentially improve its bioavailability.

Effects of composite mixture of protein sources in replacing fish meal on nutritional value and flavor quality of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of fish meal partially or totally replaced with poultry by-product meal (PBM), antarctic krill meal (AKM), corn gluten meal (CGM), cottonseed meal (CM) and rice protein concentrate meal (RPM) on amino acids, fatty acids, nucleotides and volatile compounds of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Results showed that shrimps fed with partial replacement of fish meal (50 %) with AKM and PBM (1:1) significantly increased the content of inosine monophosphate (IMP), the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), n-9 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and significantly decreased the content of hypoxanthine (Hx), benzaldehyde, and the proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFAs). Dietary fish meal totally replaced by the whole-plant protein diet resulted in a lower value of essential amino acids to total amino acids (EAA / TAA), n-3 / n-6 PUFAs, and a lower proportion of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs). Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that shrimps fed diet with fish meal partially replaced by AKM and PBM (1:1) had the most similar volatile compounds profile to the fish meal-based diet. These results indicated that the composite mixture of PBM and AKM (1:1) is an excellent substitution for fish meal in shrimp diets.

Warming Decreases Bioconversion of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Chironomid Larvae Maintained on Cyanobacterium Microcystis.

Cyanobacteria dominance and warming have been suggested to decrease the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in freshwater ecosystems. Physiological adaptations of poikilothermic animals to higher temperatures may further decrease PUFA levels in aquatic food webs. We conducted diet manipulation experiments to investigate the combined effects of dietary PUFA and warming on the proportions of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) in Chironomus riparius. The experimental diet consisted of a nontoxic cyanobacterium Microcystis, which contained C20 PUFA: 20:3n-3, 20:4n-3, and 20:3n-6, but no EPA or ARA. Additionally, we used TetraMin® fish flakes as a control treatment. A temperature increase from 20 °C to 25 °C decreased the proportion of n-3 C20 PUFA and the n-3/n-6 ratio in Microcystis. Diet manipulation experiments indicated that Chironomus desaturated dietary C20 precursors to EPA and ARA, but warming decreased this bioconversion and resulted in lower levels of EPA and ARA in Chironomus. Warming did not alter the proportions of EPA and ARA in Chironomus larvae if these PUFA were readily available in the diet (TetraMin® control treatment). In conclusion, warming and cyanobacteria dominance may decrease the production and trophic transfer of physiologically important PUFA in freshwaters by (1) decreasing the n-3/n-6 ratio and the abundance of n-3 C20 precursors in Microcystis, and (2) decreasing the bioconversion of n-3 and n-6 C20 precursors to EPA and ARA in chironomids. These changes may have cascading effects throughout the food web and decrease the content of EPA in fish, potentially affecting its availability to humans.

Differential responses in EPA and fucoxanthin production by the marine diatom Stauroneis sp. under varying cultivation conditions.

There has been an increasing drive toward better valorising raw biological materials in the context of the sustainability of bio-based industries and the circular economy. As such, microalgae hold the ability to biosynthesise valuable metabolites, which are sought after within the bioenergy, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or nutrition sectors. Owing to their bioactivities, the xanthophyll pigment fucoxanthin and the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have fostered increasing interests in terms of sustainably refining them from natural sources, such as microalgae. Together with the suitability of individual species to industrial cultivation, a key challenge resides in optimizing the yields of these compounds within the microalgal biomass they are retrieved from. The marine diatom Stauroneis sp. LACW24 was batch cultivated into its stationary phase of growth prior to being subjected at high cell density (1 × 106 cells mL-1 ) to seven different regimes of light exposure in replenished medium and under nutritional limitation (silica and nitrate) for 12 days. The highest EPA proportions and yields were obtained under blue LED in f/2 medium (16.5% and 4.8mg g-1 , respectively), double the values obtained under red LED illumination. The fucoxanthin yield was the highest when cells were subjected to blue LEDs (5.9mg g-1 ), a fourfold increase compared to the nitrogen-limited treatment under white LEDs. These results indicate that a two-stage approach to the batch cultivation of this diatom can be used for enhancing the production of the high-value metabolites fucoxanthin and EPA post-stationary phase.

Comparison of the growth performance and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) biosynthetic ability of red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus♀ × O. niloticus♂) fed fish oil or vegetable oil diet at different salinities

The present study aim to compare the growth and biosynthetic ability of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) of red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus♀ × O. niloticus♂) at different salinities. An 8-week feeding trial was conducted on the juvenile red tilapia (initial weight about 10.5 g) reared at 0, 15 and 30 parts per thousand (ppt) salinity fed with two isonitrogenous (32%) and isolipidic (9%) diets. The diet with vegetable oil was named VO, specifically rapeseed oil, without LC-PUFA but rich in C18 PUFA precursors, the other diet with fish oil was named FO rich in LC-PUFA. At the end of feeding trial, irrespective of diet, fish reared at 30 ppt showed significantly higher weight gain and specific growth rate and lower feed conversion ratio than those reared at 15 ppt or 0 ppt (p < 0.05). In addition, some LC-PUFA were significantly affected by water salinity. In fish fed the VO diet, proportions of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and total n-3 PUFA were significantly higher in liver (p < 0.05), and DHA and arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4n-6) significantly higher in muscle of fish reared at 30 ppt and 15 ppt than those reared at 0 ppt (p < 0.05). Furthermore, liver mRNA expression levels of genes related to LC-PUFA biosynthesis including fatty acyl desaturase 2 (fads2) and elongase 5 (elovl5) were significantly higher in fish reared at 30 ppt than those reared at 0 ppt (p < 0.05). These results indicated that red tilapia has the capability to biosynthesize LC-PUFA from C18 PUFA precursors, and such ability was higher at 30 ppt salinity than in 0 ppt salinity, and this may be associated with improved growth performance.

Effects of Varying Dietary Docosahexaenoic, Eicosapentaenoic, Linoleic, and α-Linolenic Acid Levels on Fatty Acid Composition of Phospholipids and Neutral Lipids in the Liver of Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar

Fish oil, the most abundant natural source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), is a limited resource; however, terrestrial oils are used as an alternative in fish nutrition. The liver of Atlantic salmon is able to synthesize these two long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3LC-PUFAs) from α-linolenic acid (ALA), but the dietary levels of EPA + DHA and the ratios of linoleic acid (LNA) to ALA may affect its abilities. Feeding Atlantic salmon four experimental diets containing EPA + DHA at 0.3 and 1.0% of dietary levels accompanied with high and low LNA/ALA ratios showed that low LNA/ALA ratios increased the proportions of EPA + DHA in phospholipids (PLs) and neutral lipids (NLs). The pattern of PL-to-NL ratios of n-3 LC-PUFA proportions matched the saw tooth pattern of LNA/ALA ratios in diets. Overall, when fish oil is removed from salmon diets, the dietary LNA/ALA ratio must be reduced to stimulate biosynthesis of n-3 LC-PUFAs in the liver.

Abstract 13690: Association of Serum Fatty Acids With Age at the Onset of Acute Ischemic Stroke in Patients Aged 50 Years or Older

Introduction: There are few reports about the association of concentrations and proportions of serum fatty acids with age at the onset of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in elderly patients. Hypothesis: A higher level of saturated FA (SFA) and n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) cause a younger onset of AIS, and a higher level of n-3 PUFA causes an older onset of AIS. Methods: For the retrospective cross-sectional study, we included patients aged 50 years or older who: 1) were admitted to our institution between August 2016 and July 2019 within 24 hours of AIS onset, and 2) underwent an examination of serum fatty acids. We evaluated concentrations of palmitic acid (PA) and stearic acid (SA) as SFA, oleic acid (OlA) as n-9 PUFA, linoleic acid (LiA), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), arachidonic acid (AA) as n-6 PUFA on admission. We evaluated the concentration of alpha-linolenic acid (AlA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as n-3 PUFA on admission. We evaluated the proportion of PA, SA, OlA, LiA, DGLA, AA, AlA, EPA, and DHA on admission. Furthermore, we evaluated their correlations with age at the AIS onset. Results: Three hundred sixty-six patients met our inclusion criteria. Their median average age was 75 years. Age at the onset was negatively correlated with concentrations of PA, SA, OlA, LiA, DGLA, AA, and AlA. Age at the onset was negatively correlated with the proportion of SA, OlA, and DGLA and positively correlated with the proportion of EPA and DHA. Multiple regression analysis showed that DGLA was an independent factor for the younger onset of AIS. Multiple regression analysis showed that DHA proportion was an independent factor for the older onset and that proportions of SA and DGLA were independent factors for the younger onset of AIS. Conclusions: The higher proportion of SA (SFA) and higher concentration and proportion of DGLA (n-6 PUFA) were significantly correlated with the younger onset of AIS, and the higher proportion of DHA (n-3 PUFA) was significantly correlated with the older onset of AIS.

Circulating Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Incident Adverse Events in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

BackgroundDietary omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has multiple cardioprotective properties. The proportion of EPA in serum phosphatidylcholine (PC) mirrors dietary EPA intake during previous weeks. Circulating EPA in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) relates to smaller infarct size and preserved long-term ventricular function. ObjectivesThe authors investigated whether serum-PC EPA (proxy for marine omega-3 consumption) levels at the time of STEMI were associated with a lower incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), all-cause mortality, and readmission for cardiovascular (CV) causes at 3 years’ follow-up. We also explored the association of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, proxy for vegetable omega-3 intake) with all-cause mortality and MACE. MethodsThe authors prospectively included 944 consecutive patients with STEMI (mean age 61 years, 209 women) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. We determined serum-PC fatty acids with gas chromatography. ResultsDuring follow-up, 211 patients had MACE, 108 died, and 130 were readmitted for CV causes. A Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for known clinical predictors showed that serum-PC EPA at the time of STEMI was inversely associated with both incident MACE and CV readmission (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62 to 0.94, and HR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.95, respectively, for a 1-standard deviation [SD] increase). Serum-PC ALA was inversely related to all-cause mortality (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.96, for a 1-SD increase). ConclusionsElevated serum-PC EPA and ALA levels at the time of STEMI were associated with a lower risk of clinical adverse events. Consumption of foods rich in these fatty acids might improve the prognosis of STEMI.

Very Long Chain Marine n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Atherothrombotic Heart Disease. A Brief Review, with a Focus on Metabolic Effects.

The global burden of atherothrombotic heart disease should be considered as a life-style disorder where differences in dietary habits and related risk factors like limited physical activity and adiposity together play important roles. Related metabolic changes have been scientifically elucidated in recent decades, and the role of the very-long-chain marine fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been much focused on, especially their possible effects on processes like inflammation and thrombosis. In the present brief review of related metabolic mechanisms, the effects of these fatty acids in a clinical setting have been referred to, including some of the authors’ work on this topic. The main focus is the divergent results in the field and the important differences between the study population, the type of supplements and fresh marine sources, the proportion of EPA versus DHA dosages, and the duration of supplementation in clinical trials. We conclude that daily intake of at least 1 g of EPA + DHA may improve a dysmetabolic state in the population. The potential to reduce the risk and progression of atherothrombotic heart disease is still a matter of debate.

A Higher Proportion of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) When Combined with Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Omega-3 Dietary Supplements Provides Higher Antioxidant Effects in Human Retinal Cells.

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a key regulator of retinal function and is directly related to the transport, delivery, and metabolism of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFA), in the retina. Due to their functions and location, RPE cells are constantly exposed to oxidative stress. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have shown to have antioxidant effects by different mechanisms. For this reason, we designed an in vitro study to compare 10 formulations of DHA and EPA supplements from different origins and combined in different proportions, evaluating their effect on cell viability, cell proliferation, reactive oxygen species production, and cell migration using ARPE-19 cells. Furthermore, we assessed their ability to rescue RPE cells from the oxidative conditions seen in diabetic retinopathy. Our results showed that the different formulations of n3-PUFAs have a beneficial effect on cell viability and proliferation and are able to restore oxidative induced RPE damage. We observed that the n3-PUFA provided different results alone or combined in the same supplement. When combined, the best results were obtained in formulations that included a higher proportion of EPA than DHA. Moreover, n3-PUFA in the form of ethyl-esters had a worse performance when compared with triglycerides or phospholipid based formulations.

Circulating Marine and Vegetable Omega-3 at the Time of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Incident Hard Clinical Endpoints

Abstract Objectives Dietary marine omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is readily incorporated into cardiac cell membranes, partially replacing the omega-6 arachidonic acid (AA). Blood omega-3 is an objective marker of their intake over the last days. Increasing blood EPA at the time of a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) relates to a smaller infarct size and preserved long-term left ventricular ejection fraction. We explored whether blood EPA at the time of STEMI also relates to a lower incidence of hard clinical endpoints. We also explored whether blood alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, the vegetable omega-3) modulates such association. Methods We prospectively included 944 consecutive patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention in a single tertiary referral hospital. We determined fatty acids in serum phosphatidylcholine (PC) at 12 hours of evolution. The primary outcomes were cardiovascular disease-related hospital readmission and all-cause mortality after 3 years of follow-up. We constructed multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, calculating risk estimates as hazard ratios (HR). Results The mean age of the cohort was 61 years and 209 (22.1%) were women. During follow-up, 130 patients (13.8%) were readmitted for cardiovascular disease, and 108 (11.4%) died. After adjustment for known clinical predictors, multivariate analysis showed that EPA in serum PC at the time of STEMI inversely related to incident hospital readmission (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.56–0.96; P = 0.024, for a 1 SD increase). Further adjustment for serum PC AA and ALA did not change the association. EPA in serum PC was found to be unrelated to 3-y total mortality. However, after including serum PC proportions of AA and ALA into the model, we observed a significantly decreased risk of mortality for ALA (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.44–0.96; P = 0.030, for a 1 SD increase). Conclusions Increasing proportions of EPA and ALA in serum PC at the time of STEMI inversely relate to 3-y cardiovascular disease-hospital readmission and all-cause mortality, respectively. Dietary EPA and ALA act synergistically and are partners rather than competitors in improving prognosis in case of a STEMI. Funding Sources Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain; California Walnut Commission.

Reducing the High Iodine Content of Saccharina latissima and Improving the Profile of Other Valuable Compounds by Water Blanching

Saccharina latissima contains high amounts of iodine in comparison to other seaweeds. The present study aimed to decrease the iodine content of S. latissima (sugar kelp) by water blanching and freezing to avoid an excess intake of iodine by consumption of sugar kelp. Various blanching conditions were investigated (temperature; 30, 45, 60 and 80 °C, and duration; 2, 30, 120 and 300 s). Some conditions resulted in a significant decrease in iodine content (≥45 °C and ≥30 s). Non-processed S. latissima contained on average 4605 mg iodine kg−1 dw−1 which significantly decreased following the treatments. The lowest content obtained was 293 mg iodine kg−1·dw−1 by water blanching at 80 °C for 120 s. The study also investigated if other valuable compounds were affected during the processing conditions. No significant changes were observed for total lipid and protein, but significant changes were seen for ash. A significant loss of two non-essential amino acids (glutamic acid and alanine) due to the blanching process was found. This also resulted in a protein quality increase as the essential amino acid to total amino acid ratio changed from 42.01 ± 0.59% in fresh seaweed to 48.0 ± 1.2% in blanched seaweed. Moreover, the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid, α-linolenic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and omega-3 fatty acids (%FAME), and the omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids ratio was significantly higher in the samples blanched at 60 °C for 300 s compared to the fresh and samples blanched at 45 °C for 30 s. The total phenolic content (TPC) and the radical scavenging activity were significantly higher in treated samples. The results indicate that the processing did not compromise the valuable compounds in focus in this study for S. latissima; they did, however, result in biomass with an improved profile of health beneficial compounds.

Essential fatty acids and Barratt impulsivity in gambling disorder

BackgroundPolyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been long implicated in the etiopathogenesis of mental illnesses, including disorders characterized by high impulsivity. The objective of most of the studies in this field is to determine the effect of omega-3 supplementation on the impulsive symptoms. In contrast, studies analyzing basal PUFA composition in patients with impulsive behaviors are very scarce, results are not yet conclusive, and to date, no publication has specifically evaluated this in gambling disorder. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between basal PUFA composition of plasma and erythrocyte membrane and impulsivity in subjects with gambling disorder.MethodsIt is an observational and cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of fifty-five men with gambling disorder, who voluntarily accepted to participate. Basal composition of PUFA in plasma and erythrocyte membrane was assessed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Trait impulsivity was measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 (BIS-11).ResultsArachidonic acid (AA)/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ratio in the erythrocyte membrane was negatively correlated with total scores in BIS-11. It was also observed that impulsive gamblers had a higher proportion of EPA and a lower value of AA/EPA and AA/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ratio in erythrocyte membrane than non-impulsive gamblers.ConclusionsThese results support the hypothesis that alteration of basal PUFA composition exists in disorders characterized by high impulsivity, although the direction of this is still unknown. Unfortunately, the empirical literature on this field is non-existent at the time and we have no direct means to support or refute these outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the relationship between essential fatty acids and disorders characterized by high impulsivity.

A comprehensive study of lipid profiles of round scad (Decapterus maruadsi) based on lipidomic with UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS

Round scad (Decapterus maruadsi) is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, there is no comprehensive information covering its lipidomic profile. In this study, lipid profiles including fatty acid composition, distribution and detailed structure information were explored using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS). The results showed that triacylglycerol (TG) was the dominant class, and the EPA and DHA were concentrated as glycerophospholipid (GP). The saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids were mainly esterified in positions 1 and 3 of TG and sn-1-position of GP, while the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were mainly esterified in sn-2-position of TG and GP. A total of 1282 species from six classes (21 subclasses) including glycerolipids (GL), sphingolipids (SP), GP, fatty acyls (FA), saccharolipids (SL) and prenol lipids (PR) were identified. Several molecular species were characterized with PUFA, especially EPA and DHA in GP. Considering the superior fatty acids composition and distribution of round scad, it is deserved for further exploitation of its marine lipid source on account of the healthy and nutritional functions.