Release Of Docosahexaenoic Acid Research Articles

Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid Encapsulation with Whey Proteins on Rat Growth and Tissue Endocannabinoid Profile.

Modifying the food structure allows a nutrient to be delivered differently, which can modify not only its digestion process but also its subsequent metabolism. In this study, rats received 3 g of omelette daily containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as crude oil or previously encapsulated with whey proteins, whereas a control group received a DHA-free omelette. The results showed that DHA encapsulation markedly induced a different feeding behaviour so animals ate more and grew faster. Then, after four weeks, endocannabinoids and other N-acyl ethanolamides were quantified in plasma, brain, and heart. DHA supplementation strongly reduced endocannabinoid derivatives from omega-6 fatty acids. However, DHA encapsulation had no particular effect, other than a great increase in the content of DHA-derived docosahexaenoyl ethanolamide in the heart. While DHA supplementation has indeed shown an effect on cannabinoid profiles, its physiological effect appears to be mediated more through more efficient digestion of DHA oil droplets in the case of DHA encapsulation. Thus, the greater release of DHA and other dietary cannabinoids present may have activated the cannabinoid system differently, possibly more locally along the gastrointestinal tract. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the synergy between DHA encapsulation, fasting, hormones regulating food intake, and animal growth.

Infection, Inflammation, and Immunity in Sepsis.

Sepsis is triggered by microbial infection, injury, or even major surgery. Both innate and adaptive immune systems are involved in its pathogenesis. Cytoplasmic presence of DNA or RNA of the invading organisms or damaged nuclear material (in the form of micronucleus in the cytoplasm) in the host cell need to be eliminated by various nucleases; failure to do so leads to the triggering of inflammation by the cellular cGAS-STING system, which induces the release of IL-6, TNF-α, and IFNs. These cytokines activate phospholipase A2 (PLA2), leading to the release of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which form precursors to various pro- and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. On the other hand, corticosteroids inhibit PLA2 activity and, thus, suppress the release of GLA, AA, EPA, and DHA. PUFAs and their metabolites have a negative regulatory action on the cGAS-STING pathway and, thus, suppress the inflammatory process and initiate inflammation resolution. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and corticosteroids (corticosteroids > IL-6, TNF-α) suppress desaturases, which results in decreased formation of GLA, AA, and other PUFAs from the dietary essential fatty acids (EFAs). A deficiency of GLA, AA, EPA, and DHA results in decreased production of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids and failure to suppress the cGAS-STING system. This results in the continuation of the inflammatory process. Thus, altered concentrations of PUFAs and their metabolites, and failure to suppress the cGAS-STING system at an appropriate time, leads to the onset of sepsis. Similar abnormalities are also seen in radiation-induced inflammation. These results imply that timely administration of GLA, AA, EPA, and DHA, in combination with corticosteroids and anti-IL-6 and anti-TNF-α antibodies, may be of benefit in mitigating radiation-induced damage and sepsis.

Fatty acid desaturation by stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 controls regulatory T cell differentiation and autoimmunity

The imbalance between pathogenic and protective T cell subsets is a cardinal feature of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Emerging evidence indicates that endogenous and dietary-induced changes in fatty acid metabolism have a major impact on both T cell fate and autoimmunity. To date, however, the molecular mechanisms that underlie the impact of fatty acid metabolism on T cell physiology and autoimmunity remain poorly understood. Here, we report that stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), an enzyme essential for the desaturation of fatty acids and highly regulated by dietary factors, acts as an endogenous brake on regulatory T-cell (Treg) differentiation and augments autoimmunity in an animal model of MS in a T cell-dependent manner. Guided by RNA sequencing and lipidomics analysis, we found that the absence of Scd1 in T cells promotes the hydrolysis of triglycerides and phosphatidylcholine through adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL). ATGL-dependent release of docosahexaenoic acid enhanced Treg differentiation by activating the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. Our findings identify fatty acid desaturation by SCD1 as an essential determinant of Treg differentiation and autoimmunity, with potentially broad implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies and dietary interventions for autoimmune disorders such as MS.

Docosahexaenoic Acid-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for the Treatment of Peri-Implantitis in Rats.

Being the most common cause of implant failure, peri-implantitis is defined as a pathological condition associated with the occurrence of peri-implant plaque, characterized by peri-implant mucosal inflammation and progressive loss of the supporting bone tissue attributed to the persistence of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is a type of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, is generally used for the treatment of many inflammatory diseases. However, a suitable form for dosing and its therapeutic effect on peri-implantitis remain unclear. In this study, a novel nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) loaded with squalene and DHA was fabricated (DHA-loaded NLC). The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading efficiency values of the DHA-loaded NLC were 78.13% ± 1.85% and 28.09% ± 0.48%, respectively. The release of DHA was gradual and steady until 144 h. In addition, the free-radical-scavenging rate of DHA-loaded NLC (0.57 ± 0.03) was much higher than that of sole DHA (0.17 ± 0.003). By inhibiting nuclear factor-κB p65 nuclear translocation, DHA-loaded NLC prevented the activation of nuclear factor-κB downstream inflammatory pathways and exerted anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages. Moreover, DHA-loaded NLC showed better effects on preventing alveolar bone resorption of rat peri-implantitis model than sole DHA. Hence, DHA-loaded NLC enhanced the anti-inflammatory bioavailability of DHA, offering a novel approach for the treatment of peri-implantitis.

Co-delivery of paclitaxel (PTX) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by targeting lipid nanoemulsions for cancer therapy

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in female patients with high morbidity and mortality. Multi-drug chemotherapy has significant advantages in the treatment of malignant tumors, especially in reducing drug toxicity, increasing drug sensitivity and reducing drug resistance. The objective of this research is to fabricate lipid nanoemulsions (LNs) for the co-delivery of PTX and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with folic acid (FA) decorating (PTX/DHA-FA-LNs), and investigate the anti-tumor activity of the PTX/DHA-FA-LNs against breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. PTX/DHA-FA-LNs showed a steady release of PTX and DHA from the drug delivery system (DDS) without any burst effect. Furthermore, the PTX/DHA-FA-LNs exhibited a dose-dependent cytotoxicity and a higher rate of apoptosis as compared with the other groups in MCF-7 cells. The cellular uptake study revealed that this LNs were more readily uptaken by MCF-7 cells and M2 macrophages in vitro. Additionally, the targeted effect of PTX/DHA-FA-LNs was aided by FA receptor-mediated endocytosis, and its cytotoxicity was proportional to the cellular uptake efficiency. The anti-tumor efficiency results showed that PTX/DHA-FA-LNs significant inhibited tumor volume growth, prolonged survival time, and reduced toxicity when compared with the other groups. These results indicated that DHA increases the sensitivity of tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages (ATM2) to PTX, and synergistic effects of folate modification in breast cancer treatment, thus PTX/DHA-FA-LNs may be a promising nanocarrier for breast cancer treatment.

In Vivo Digestion of Egg Products Enriched with DHA: Effect of the Food Matrix on DHA Bioavailability.

The aim of the present study was to determine to what extent the food matrix could affect the release of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during digestion and its incorporation into systemic circulation. In this aim, three DHA-enriched egg products having the same composition but different structure were developed: omelet, hard-boiled egg, and mousse. Then, nine pigs fitted with T-shape cannulas at duodenal level and a jugular venous catheter were fed with the DHA-enriched egg products, and duodenal effluents and plasma were collected throughout the postprandial period. Results highlighted an undeniable effect of the food matrix on digestion parameters and DHA bioavailability. The transit of DHA and protein through the duodenum was faster after the ingestion of the mousse than after the ingestion of the omelet and hard-boiled egg. While most of the DHA and protein ingested under the form of mousse had already passed through the duodenum 4.5 h after its ingestion, significantly higher quantities were still present in the case of the omelet and hard-boiled egg. In terms of bioavailability, the omelet was the most efficient vector for delivering DHA into systemic circulation. It supplied 56% and 120% more DHA than the hard-boiled egg and the mousse, respectively.

Docosahexaenoic Acid-Loaded Polylactic Acid Core-Shell Nanofiber Membranes for Regenerative Medicine after Spinal Cord Injury: In Vitro and In Vivo Study.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with disability and a drastic decrease in quality of life for affected individuals. Previous studies support the idea that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-based pharmacological approach is a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of acute SCI. We postulated that a nanostructured material for controlled delivery of DHA at the lesion site may be well suited for this purpose. Toward this end, we prepare drug-loaded fibrous mats made of core-shell nanofibers by electrospinning, which contained a polylactic acid (PLA) shell for encapsulation of DHA within the core, for delivery of DHA in situ. In vitro study confirmed sustained DHA release from PLA/DHA core-shell nanofiber membrane (CSNM) for up to 36 days, which could significantly increase neurite outgrowth from primary cortical neurons in 3 days. This is supported by the upregulation of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) neural marker genes from qRT-PCR analysis. Most importantly, the sustained release of DHA could significantly increase the neurite outgrowth length from cortical neuron cells in 7 days when co-cultured with PLA/DHA CSNM, compared with cells cultured with 3 μM DHA. From in vivo study with a SCI model created in rats, implantation of PLA/DHA CSNM could significantly improve neurological functions revealed by behavior assessment in comparison with the control (no treatment) and the PLA CSNM groups. According to histological analysis, PLA/DHA CSNM also effectively reduced neuron loss and increased serotonergic nerve sprouting. Taken together, the PLA/DHA CSNM may provide a nanostructured drug delivery system for DHA and contribute to neuroprotection and promoting neuroplasticity change following SCI.

Encapsulation of Fish Oil Into Low‐Cost Alginate Beads and EPA‐DHA Release in a Rumino‐Intestinal In Vitro Digestion Model

Fish oil‐origin eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are encapsulated with formulated alginate to prevent biohydrogenation in the rumen. Beads are formulated with 0.3%, 1.0%, and 2.0% of alginate. Bead surface pore‐formation is characterized by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Observed pore sizes according to alginate concentration are 17–33 μm (0.3%), 10–18 μm (1.0%), and 5–10 μm (2.0%). Release of EPA and DHA is evaluated during ruminal, abomasal, and intestinal simulated digestion. Beads shows high percentage of encapsulation efficiency (91.39% from EPA and 93.51% from DHA). Beads designed (1.0%) allows to obtain EPA release of 13.65% (ruminal digestion), 29.07% (abomasal digestion), and 28.21% (intestinal digestion); while, DHA releases under the same conditions are: 18.55%, 26.78%, and 43.16%, respectively. Beads with 1.0% of alginate had the best release pattern during ruminal simulated digestion allowing an increased intestinal availability of EPA and DHA.Practical Applications: Fish oil encapsulation into alginate beads is a good alternative for ruminant diets supplementation, which will allow to get animal origin food (milk and meat, mainly) enriched with essential fatty acids such as EPA and DHA.Alginate beads are used as encapsulating material to prevent the biohydrogenation of EPA and DHA fatty acids during simulated ruminal digestion. The encapsulated efficiency and the release are calculated by GC

Defining a mechanistic link between pigment epithelium–derived factor, docosahexaenoic acid, and corneal nerve regeneration

The cornea is densely innervated to sustain the integrity of the ocular surface. Corneal nerve damage produced by aging, diabetes, refractive surgeries, and viral or bacterial infections impairs tear production, the blinking reflex, and epithelial wound healing, resulting in loss of transparency and vision. A combination of the known neuroprotective molecule, pigment epithelium–derived factor (PEDF) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has been shown to stimulate corneal nerve regeneration, but the mechanisms involved are unclear. Here, we sought to define the molecular events of this effect in an in vivo mouse injury model. We first confirmed that PEDF + DHA increased nerve regeneration in the mouse cornea. Treatment with PEDF activates the phospholipase A2 activity of the PEDF-receptor (PEDF-R) leading to the release of DHA; this free DHA led to enhanced docosanoid synthesis and induction of bdnf, ngf, and the axon growth promoter semaphorin 7a (sema7a), and as a consequence, their products appeared in the mouse tears. Surprisingly, corneal injury and treatment with PEDF + DHA induced transcription of neuropeptide y (npy), small proline-rich protein 1a (sprr1a), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (vip) in the trigeminal ganglia (TG). The PEDF-R inhibitor, atglistatin, blocked all of these changes in the cornea and TG. In conclusion, we uncovered here an active cornea–TG axis, driven by PEDF-R activation, that fosters axon outgrowth in the cornea.

Role of prefrontal cortical calcium-independent phospholipase A2 in antinociceptive effect of the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepresssant maprotiline

The prefrontal cortex is essential for executive functions such as decision-making and planning. There is also accumulating evidence that it is important for the modulation of pain. In this study, we investigated a possible role of prefrontal cortical calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) in antinociception induced by the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) and tetracyclic (tricyclic) antidepressant, maprotiline. Intraperitoneal injections of maprotiline increased iPLA2 mRNA and protein expression in the prefrontal cortex. This treatment also reduced grooming responses to von-Frey hair stimulation of the face after facial carrageenan injection, indicating decreased sensitivity to pain. The antinociceptive effect of maprotiline was abrogated by iPLA2 antisense oligonucleotide injection to the prefrontal cortex, indicating a role of this enzyme in antinociception. In contrast, injection of iPLA2 antisense oligonucleotide to the somatosensory cortex did not reduce the antinociceptive effect of maprotiline. Lipidomic analysis of the prefrontal cortex showed decrease in phosphatidylcholine species, but increase in lysophosphatidylcholine species, indicating increased PLA2 activity, and release of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) after maprotiline treatment. Differences in sphingomyelin/ceramide were also detected. These changes were not observed in maprotiline-treated mice that received iPLA2 antisense oligonucleotide to the prefrontal cortex. Metabolites of DHA and EPA may help to strengthen a known supraspinal antinociceptive pathway from the prefrontal cortex to the periaqueductal gray. Together, results indicate a role of prefrontal cortical iPLA2 and its enzymatic products in the antinociceptive effect of maprotiline.

P.1.b.006 - Investigation of long-term potentiation in young and old hyperthyroid rats

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a 22 carbon, six cis-double bonded (22:6, w3) omega-3 polyunsaturated acid (PUFA), found highly enriched with neuronal membranes, and believed to play a critical role in synaptic plasticity and cognitive correlates of learning and memory. DHA is released from the neuronal membrane via the action of the cytostolic calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) enzyme. Previous studies have demonstrated that inhibition of iPLA2 by bromoenol lactone (BEL), results in inhibition of CA1 long-term potentiation (LTP), restored following acute application of DHA. In the present study, we investigated the effect of selective iPLA2 inhibition and acute application of DHA on corticostriatal synaptic plasticity. We demonstrate that acute application of 30 μM DHA facilitates cotricostriatal LTP, whilst long-term depression (LTD), basal transmission, and paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) are unaffected. Conversely, selective inhibition of iPLA2, via acute application of 10 μM BEL, inhibits the expression of corticostriatal LTP, with no effect on LTD. Furthermore, we show that 10 μM BEL inhibition of LTP is reversed following acute application of 30 μM DHA. Finally, we demonstrate that 10 μM BEL inhibits depotentiation of corticostriatal LTP, which is restored following acute application of 30 μM DHA. Our findings indicate that appropriate release of DHA is a critical facet of corticostriatal LTP and depotentiation, and thus provides an exciting cellular target for the positive facilitation of cognitive function observed following DHA dietary supplementation.

Thai Silk Fibroin/Gelatin Sponges for the Dual Controlled Release of Curcumin and Docosahexaenoic Acid for Anticancer Treatment

In this study, curcumin and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were encapsulated in Thai silk fibroin/gelatin (SF/G) sponges, prepared at different blending ratios, aimed to be applied as a controlled release system for localized cancer therapy. The SF/G sponges were fabricated by freeze-drying and glutaraldehyde cross-linking techniques. Physicochemical properties of the SF/G sponges were characterized. Then, curcumin and/or DHA were loaded in the sponges by physical adsorption. The encapsulation efficiency and the in vitro release of curcumin and/or DHA from the sponges were evaluated. SF/G sponges could encapsulate curcumin and/or DHA at high encapsulation efficiency. The highly cross-linked and slowly degrading SF/G (50/50) sponge released curcumin and/or DHA at the slowest rate. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the sponges against noncancer cells (L929 mouse fibroblast) and anticancer of curcumin and/or DHA released from the sponges against cervical cancer cells (CaSki) were tested. All sponges were not toxic to L929 mouse fibroblast. The mixed curcumin–DHA at the ratio of 1:4 had the highest inhibiting effect on the growth of CaSki, comparing with the release of curcumin or DHA alone. SF/G sponges could be a potential carrier for dual release of curcumin and DHA for anticancer effect.

Impaired corticostriatal LTP and depotentiation following iPLA2 inhibition is restored following acute application of DHA.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a 22 carbon, six cis-double bonded (22:6, w3) omega-3 polyunsaturated acid (PUFA), found highly enriched with neuronal membranes, and believed to play a critical role in synaptic plasticity and cognitive correlates of learning and memory. DHA is released from the neuronal membrane via the action of the cytostolic calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) enzyme. Previous studies have demonstrated that inhibition of iPLA2 by bromoenol lactone (BEL), results in inhibition of CA1 long-term potentiation (LTP), restored following acute application of DHA. In the present study, we investigated the effect of selective iPLA2 inhibition and acute application of DHA on corticostriatal synaptic plasticity. We demonstrate that acute application of 30μM DHA facilitates cotricostriatal LTP, whilst long-term depression (LTD), basal transmission, and paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) are unaffected. Conversely, selective inhibition of iPLA2, via acute application of 10μM BEL, inhibits the expression of corticostriatal LTP, with no effect on LTD. Furthermore, we show that 10μM BEL inhibition of LTP is reversed following acute application of 30μM DHA. Finally, we demonstrate that 10μM BEL inhibits depotentiation of corticostriatal LTP, which is restored following acute application of 30μM DHA. Our findings indicate that appropriate release of DHA is a critical facet of corticostriatal LTP and depotentiation, and thus provides an exciting cellular target for the positive facilitation of cognitive function observed following DHA dietary supplementation.

Retinoid X receptor activation is essential for docosahexaenoic acid protection of retina photoreceptors

We have established that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the major polyunsaturated fatty acid in the retina, promotes survival of rat retina photoreceptors during early development in vitro and upon oxidative stress by activating the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway. Here we have investigated whether DHA turns on this pathway through activation of retinoid X receptors (RXRs) or by inducing tyrosine kinase (Trk) receptor activation. We also evaluated whether DHA release from phospholipids was required for its protective effect. Addition of RXR antagonists (HX531, PA452) to rat retinal neuronal cultures inhibited DHA protection during early development in vitro and upon oxidative stress induced with Paraquat or H2O2. In contrast, the Trk inhibitor K252a did not affect DHA prevention of photoreceptor apoptosis. These results imply that activation of RXRs was required for DHA protection whereas Trk receptors were not involved in this protection. Pretreatment with 4-bromoenol lactone, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, blocked DHA prevention of oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of photoreceptors. It is noteworthy that RXR agonists (HX630, PA024) also rescued photoreceptors from H2O2-induced apoptosis. These results provide the first evidence that activation of RXRs prevents photoreceptor apoptosis and suggest that DHA is first released from phospholipids and then activates RXRs to promote the survival of photoreceptors.

Effects of Docosahexaenoic Acid on Neurotransmission

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the major polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in the brain and a structural component of neuronal membranes. Changes in DHA content of neuronal membranes lead to functional changes in the activity of receptors and other proteins which might be associated with synaptic function. Accumulating evidence suggests the beneficial effects of dietary DHA supplementation on neurotransmission. This article reviews the beneficial effects of DHA on the brain; uptake, incorporation and release of DHA at synapses, effects of DHA on synapses, effects of DHA on neurotransmitters, DHA metabolites, and changes in DHA with age. Further studies to better understand the metabolome of DHA could result in more effective use of this molecule for treatment of neurodegenerative or neuropsychiatric diseases.

Increases in seizure latencies induced by subcutaneous docosahexaenoic acid are lost at higher doses

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) which has been found to have anticonvulsant properties. Our group has previously reported in a pilot study that the acute administration of subcutaneous (s.c.) DHA increases seizure latencies in the maximal pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) seizure test, however it loses its effect at higher doses. The purpose of the present experiments was (1) to confirm that DHA loses its effect at higher doses, (2) to correlate the anticonvulsant properties of DHA with DHA levels in the different lipid pools of serum and (3) to evaluate whether an anticonvulsant dose of DHA resulted in an increase in DHA release from the brain phospholipids following induction of seizure. In the first experiment, male Wistar rats were injected s.c. with 200, 300, 400 or 600 mg/kg of DHA, or 400mg/kg oleic acid (OA, isocaloric control), and seizure tested with the maximal PTZ test 1h post injection (Experiment 1). In a second experiment, subjects received either: (1) an effective dose of DHA (400mg/kg), (2) a higher, non-effective dose (600 mg/kg; based on the findings of Experiment 1), or (3) OA (400mg/kg). Subjects were sacrificed 1h post injection and blood was collected for fatty acid analysis (Experiment 2). In the third experiment, subjects were injected with either the effective dose of DHA (400mg/kg) or OA (400mg/kg). One hour post lipid injection, animals received either PTZ or saline, and animals were euthanized via microwave fixation. Brain were extracted and unesterified fatty acid concentrations were measured (Experiment 3). Experiment 1 confirmed that DHA loses its effects at higher doses in the maximal PTZ test. The 400mg/kg dose was maximally effective but effects were lost at 600 mg/kg. Experiment 2 showed that only the unesterified DHA pool in serum was statistically increased by an acute injection of s.c. DHA (P<0.05, as compared to OA), whereas esterified DHA pools were unchanged (P>0.05). Curiously, unesterified DHA levels were similar in both the 400mg/kg and 600 mg/kg dosage groups. Experiment 3 showed that an anticonvulsant dose of DHA (400mg/kg) did not increase DHA release from brain phospholipids following seizure induction (P>0.05). In conclusion, DHA has anticonvulsant properties when injected s.c., but these properties are lost at higher doses. The anticonvulsant effects of DHA are accompanied by increased levels of unesterified DHA in the serum, but not in increased DHA release from brain phospholipids.

Role of prefrontal cortical calcium independent phospholipase A2 in antidepressant-like effect of maprotiline

There is increasing interest in the pathophysiology and neurochemistry of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in depression. Blood flow and metabolism are decreased in the PFC of patients with depression compared to controls. Changes in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are also associated with depression. This study was conducted to elucidate a possible role of PFC activity of an enzyme involved in the release of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), i.e. calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA₂), in the effects of the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) antidepressant, maprotiline, in mice. Treatment of Balb/C mice with maprotiline for 4 wk resulted in reduction in the level of behavioural despair, as determined by decreased immobility and increased climbing during the forced swim test. In contrast, mice treated with maprotiline plus bilateral prefrontal cortical injections of antisense oligonucleotide to iPLA₂, showed significantly increased immobility and decreased climbing, to levels comparable to saline-treated controls, indicating abolishment of the antidepressant-like effect of maprotiline. Lipidomic analyses showed significant decreases in phosphatidylcholine species containing long-chain PUFAs and increases in lysophosphatidylcholine after maprotiline treatment, indicating increased PLA₂ activity and endogenous release of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or DHA after maprotiline treatment. These changes in lipid profiles were absent in mice that received maprotiline and PFC injections of antisense oligonucleotide to iPLA₂. Together, the results indicate that PFC iPLA₂ activity plays an important role in the antidepressant-like effect of maprotiline, possibly through endogenous release of long-chain PUFAs.

A Novel Halophilic Lipase, LipBL, Showing High Efficiency in the Production of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)

BackgroundAmong extremophiles, halophiles are defined as microorganisms adapted to live and thrive in diverse extreme saline environments. These extremophilic microorganisms constitute the source of a number of hydrolases with great biotechnological applications. The interest to use extremozymes from halophiles in industrial applications is their resistance to organic solvents and extreme temperatures. Marinobacter lipolyticus SM19 is a moderately halophilic bacterium, isolated previously from a saline habitat in South Spain, showing lipolytic activity.Methods and FindingsA lipolytic enzyme from the halophilic bacterium Marinobacter lipolyticus SM19 was isolated. This enzyme, designated LipBL, was expressed in Escherichia coli. LipBL is a protein of 404 amino acids with a molecular mass of 45.3 kDa and high identity to class C β-lactamases. LipBL was purified and biochemically characterized. The temperature for its maximal activity was 80°C and the pH optimum determined at 25°C was 7.0, showing optimal activity without sodium chloride, while maintaining 20% activity in a wide range of NaCl concentrations. This enzyme exhibited high activity against short-medium length acyl chain substrates, although it also hydrolyzes olive oil and fish oil. The fish oil hydrolysis using LipBL results in an enrichment of free eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), but not docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), relative to its levels present in fish oil. For improving the stability and to be used in industrial processes LipBL was immobilized in different supports. The immobilized derivatives CNBr-activated Sepharose were highly selective towards the release of EPA versus DHA. The enzyme is also active towards different chiral and prochiral esters. Exposure of LipBL to buffer-solvent mixtures showed that the enzyme had remarkable activity and stability in all organic solvents tested.ConclusionsIn this study we isolated, purified, biochemically characterized and immobilized a lipolytic enzyme from a halophilic bacterium M. lipolyticus, which constitutes an enzyme with excellent properties to be used in the food industry, in the enrichment in omega-3 PUFAs.

Oral bioavailability of the ether lipid plasmalogen precursor, PPI-1011, in the rabbit: a new therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease

IntroductionDocosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and DHA-containing ethanolamine plasmalogens (PlsEtn) are decreased in the brain, liver and the circulation in Alzheimer's disease. Decreased supply of plasmalogen precursors to the brain by the liver, as a result of peroxisomal deficits is a process that probably starts early in the AD disease process. To overcome this metabolic compromise, we have designed an orally bioavailable DHA-containing ether lipid precursor of plasmalogens. PPI-1011 is an alkyl-diacyl plasmalogen precursor with palmitic acid at sn-1, DHA at sn-2 and lipoic acid at sn-3. This study outlines the oral pharmacokinetics of this precursor and its conversion to PlsEtn and phosphatidylethanolamines (PtdEtn).MethodsRabbits were dosed orally with PPI-1011 in hard gelatin capsules for time-course and dose response studies. Incorporation into PlsEtn and PtdEtn was monitored by LC-MS/MS. Metabolism of released lipoic acid was monitored by GC-MS. To monitor the metabolic fate of different components of PPI-1011, we labeled the sn-1 palmitic acid, sn-2 DHA and glycerol backbone with13C and monitored their metabolic fates by LC-MS/MS.ResultsPPI-1011 was not detected in plasma suggesting rapid release of sn-3 lipoic acid via gut lipases. This conclusion was supported by peak levels of lipoic acid metabolites in the plasma 3 hours after dosing. While PPI-1011 did not gain access to the plasma, it increased circulating levels of DHA-containing PlsEtn and PtdEtn. Labeling experiments demonstrated that the PtdEtn increases resulted from increased availability of DHA released via remodeling at sn-2 of phospholipids derived from PPI-1011. This release of DHA peaked at 6 hrs while increases in phospholipids peaked at 12 hr. Increases in circulating PlsEtn were more complex. Labeling experiments demonstrated that increases in the target PlsEtn, 16:0/22:6, consisted of 2 pools. In one pool, the intact precursor received a sn-3 phosphoethanolamine group and desaturation at sn-1 to generate the target plasmalogen. The second pool, like the PtdEtn, resulted from increased availability of DHA released during remodeling of sn-2. In the case of sn-1 18:0 and 18:1 plasmalogens with [13C3]DHA at sn-2, labeling was the result of increased availability of [13C3]DHA from lipid remodeling. Isotope and repeated dosing (2 weeks) experiments also demonstrated that plasmalogens and/or plasmalogen precursors derived from PPI-1011 are able to cross both the blood-retinal and blood-brain barriers.ConclusionsOur data demonstrate that PPI-1011, an ether lipid precursor of plasmalogens is orally bioavailable in the rabbit, augmenting the circulating levels of unesterified DHA and DHA-containing PlsEtn and PtdEtn. Other ethanolamine plasmalogens were generated from the precursor via lipid remodeling (de-acylation/re-acylation reactions at sn-2) and phosphatidylethanolamines were generated via de-alkylation/re-acylation reactions at sn-1. Repeated oral dosing for 2 weeks with PPI-1011 resulted in dose-dependent increases in circulating DHA and DHA-containing plasmalogens. These products and/or precursors were also able to cross the blood-retinal and blood-brain barriers.

Extracellular-derived calcium does not initiate in vivo neurotransmission involving docosahexaenoic acid

In vitro studies show that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can be released from membrane phospholipid by Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)), Ca(2+)-independent plasmalogen PLA(2) or secretory PLA(2 (sPLA2)), but not by Ca(2+)-dependent cytosolic PLA(2) (cPLA2), which selectively releases arachidonic acid (AA). Since glutamatergic NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor activation allows extracellular Ca(2+) into cells, we hypothesized that brain DHA signaling would not be altered in rats given NMDA, to the extent that in vivo signaling was mediated by Ca(2+)-independent mechanisms. Isotonic saline, a subconvulsive dose of NMDA (25 mg/kg), MK-801, or MK-801 followed by NMDA was administered i.p. to unanesthetized rats. Radiolabeled DHA or AA was infused intravenously and their brain incorporation coefficients k*, measures of signaling, were imaged with quantitative autoradiography. NMDA or MK-801 compared with saline did not alter k* for DHA in any of 81 brain regions examined, whereas NMDA produced widespread and significant increments in k* for AA. In conclusion, in vivo brain DHA but not AA signaling via NMDA receptors is independent of extracellular Ca(2+) and of cPLA(2). DHA signaling may be mediated by iPLA(2), plasmalogen PLA(2), or other enzymes insensitive to low concentrations of Ca(2+). Greater AA than DHA release during glutamate-induced excitotoxicity could cause brain cell damage.