Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids suppress acute hepatitis, alter gene expression and prolong survival of female Long-Evans Cinnamon rats, a model of Wilson disease

Hepatic oxylipin profiles in mouse models of Wilson disease: New insights into early hepatic manifestations

Hepatic inflammation is commonly identified in Wilson disease (WD), a genetic disease of hepatic and brain copper accumulation. Copper accumulation is associated with increased oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species generation which may result in non-enzymatic oxidation of membrane-bound polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). PUFA can be oxidized enzymatically via lipoxygenases (LOX), cyclooxygenases (COX), and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP). Products of PUFA oxidation are collectively known as oxylipins (OXL) and are bioactive lipids that modulate hepatic inflammation. We examined hepatic OXL profiles at early stages of WD in two mouse models, the toxic milk mouse from The Jackson Laboratory (tx-j) and the Atp7b knockout on a C57Bl/6 background (Atp7b-/-B6). Targeted lipidomic analysis performed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry showed that in both tx-j and Atp7b-/-B6 mice, hepatic OXL profiles were altered with higher thromboxane and prostaglandins levels. The levels of oxidative stress marker, 9-HETE were increased more markedly in tx-j mice. However, both genotypes showed upregulated transcript levels of many genes related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Both genotypes showed higher prostaglandins, thromboxin along with higher PUFA-derived alcohols, diols, and ketones with altered epoxides; the expression of Alox5 was upregulated and many CYP-related genes were dysregulated. Pathway analyses show dysregulation in arachidonic acid and linoleic acid metabolism characterizes mice with WD. Our findings indicate alterations in hepatic PUFA metabolism in early-stage WD and suggest the upregulation of both, non-enzymatic ROS-dependent and enzymatic PUFA oxidation, which could have implications for hepatic manifestations in WD and represent potential targets for future therapies.

HR-MS Based Untargeted Lipidomics Reveals Characteristic Lipid Signatures of Wilson's Disease

Background and Aims: The diagnosis of Wilson's disease (WD) is challenging by clinical or genetic criteria. A typical early pathological change of WD is the increased liver lipid deposition and lowered serum triglyceride (TG). Therefore, the contents of serum lipids may provide evidence for screening of biomarkers for WD. Methods: 34 WD patients, 31 WD relatives, and 65 normal controls were enrolled in this study. Serum lipidomics data was acquired by an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry system, and the data were analyzed by multivariate statistical methods. Results: Of all 510 identified lipids, there are 297 differential lipids between the WD and controls, 378 differential lipids between the relatives and controls, and 119 differential lipids between the patients and relatives. In WD, the abundances of most saturated TG were increased, whereas other unsaturated lipids decreased, including phosphatidylcholine (PC), sphingomyelin (SM), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), ceramide (Cer), and phosphatidylserine (PS). We also found many serum lipid species may be used as biomarkers for WD. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of PS (35:0), PS (38:5), and PS (34:0) were 0.919, 0.843, and 0.907. The AUCs of TG (38:0) and CerG1 (d42:2) were 0.948 and 0.915 and the AUCs of LPC (17:0) and LPC (15:0) were 0.980 and 0.960, respectively. The lipid biomarker panel exhibits good diagnostic performance for WD. The correlation networks were built among the different groups and the potential mechanisms of differential lipids were discussed. Interestingly, similar lipid profile of WD is also found in their relatives, which indicated the changes may also related to the mutation of the ATP7B gene. Conclusions: Lipid deregulation is another important hallmark of WD besides the deposition of copper. Our lipidomic results provide new insights into the diagnostic and therapeutic targets of WD.

Dietary n-9, n-6 and n-3 fatty acids modulate the oxidative stress in brain and liver of mice. Effect of trans fatty acids supplementation

BACKGROUND: Arachidonic (20:4n-6) and docosahexaenoic (22:6n-3) acids interaction affects brain structure and function. Unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) generate oxygenated lipid-derived eicosanoids which modulate the inflammatory response. The presence of trans fatty acids (TFA) in neuronal membranes can favor to generation of pro-oxidant metabolites. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of supplementation with TFA to diets containing different proportions of FA, on the oxidative stress (OS) generation and the inflammatory response in mice brain and liver. METHODS: CF1 mice were fed diets (16 weeks) with olive (O), corn (C) or rapeseed (R) oils. OS parameters and gene expression of some key liver and brain enzymes involved in OS production were evaluated. RESULTS: In brain and liver, lipoperoxidation was increased and catalase activity was decreased in C. In brain, glutathione was diminished by supplementation with TFA in all diets and histological sections showed lymphocytes in O and C. In liver, decreased amount of lipid vacuoles and increased of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and PPARγ mRNA levels were observed in R and Rt. IL-1b and IL-6 in serum were augmented in O and Ot. CONCLUSIONS: Rapeseed oil could have protective effects on the development of OS and inflammation, while TFA supplementation did not showed marked effects on these parameters.

Oxylipin Profiles in Plasma of Patients with Wilson's Disease

Wilson’s disease (WD) is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder resulting from mutations in the copper-transporting, P-type ATPase gene ATP7B gene, but influences of epigenetics, environment, age, and sex-related factors on the WD phenotype complicate diagnosis and clinical manifestations. Oxylipins, derivatives of omega-3, and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are signaling mediators that are deeply involved in innate immunity responses; the regulation of inflammatory responses, including acute and chronic inflammation; and other disturbances related to any system diseases. Therefore, oxylipin profile tests are attractive for the diagnosis of WD. With UPLC-MS/MS lipidomics analysis, we detected 43 oxylipins in the plasma profiles of 39 patients with various clinical manifestations of WD compared with 16 healthy controls (HCs). Analyzing the similarity matrix of oxylipin profiles allowed us to cluster patients into three groups. Analysis of the data by VolcanoPlot and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) showed that eight oxylipins and lipids stand for the variance between WD and HCs: eicosapentaenoic acid EPA, oleoylethanolamide OEA, octadecadienoic acids 9-HODE, 9-KODE, 12-hydroxyheptadecatrenoic acid 12-HHT, prostaglandins PGD2, PGE2, and 14,15-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids 14,15-DHET. The compounds indicate the involvement of oxidative stress damage, inflammatory processes, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathways in this disease. The data reveal novel possible therapeutic targets and intervention strategies for treating WD.

Mitochondria and Reactive Oxygen Species in Aging and Age-Related Diseases

Aging has been linked to several degenerative processes that, through the accumulation of molecular and cellular damage, can progressively lead to cell dysfunction and organ failure. Human aging is linked with a higher risk for individuals to develop cancer, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and metabolic disorders. The understanding of the molecular basis of aging and associated diseases has been one major challenge of scientific research over the last decades. Mitochondria, the center of oxidative metabolism and principal site of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, are crucial both in health and in pathogenesis of many diseases. Redox signaling is important for the modulation of cell functions and several studies indicate a dual role for ROS in cell physiology. In fact, high concentrations of ROS are pathogenic and can cause severe damage to cell and organelle membranes, DNA, and proteins. On the other hand, moderate amounts of ROS are essential for the maintenance of several biological processes, including gene expression. In this review, we provide an update regarding the key roles of ROS-mitochondria cross talk in different fundamental physiological or pathological situations accompanying aging and highlighting that mitochondrial ROS may be a decisive target in clinical practice.

How does high DHA fish oil affect health? A systematic review of evidence

The health benefits of fish oil, and its omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid content, have attracted much scientific attention in the last four decades. Fish oils that contain higher amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) than docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), in a distinctive ratio of 18/12, are typically the most abundantly available and are commonly studied. Although the two fatty acids have traditionally been considered together, as though they were one entity, different physiological effects of EPA and DHA have recently been reported. New oils containing a higher quantity of DHA compared with EPA, such as fractionated and concentrated fish oil, tuna oil, calamari oil and microalgae oil, are increasingly becoming available on the market, and other oils, including those extracted from genetically modified oilseed crops, soon to come. This systematic review focuses on the effects of high DHA fish oils on various human health conditions, such as the heart and cardiovascular system, the brain and visual function, inflammation and immune function and growth/Body Mass Index. Although inconclusive results were reported in several instances, and inconsistent outcomes observed in others, current data provides substantiated evidence in support of DHA being a beneficial bioactive compound for heart, cardiovascular and brain function, with different, and at times complementary, effects compared with EPA. DHA has also been reported to be effective in slowing the rate of cognitive decline, while its possible effects on depression disorders are still unclear. Interestingly, gender- and age- specific divergent roles for DHA have also been reported. This review provides a comprehensive collection of evidence and a critical summary of the documented physiological effects of high DHA fish oils for human health.

Comparison of endogenous loss and maintenance need for minerals in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed fishmeal or plant ingredient-based diets

Mineral needs as affected by changes in dietary protein and oil sources were studied in rainbow trout. Duplicate groups (n = 30 fish per replicate) of rainbow trout (initial BW: 37 g) were fed either a fish meal/fish oil-based (M) or a complete plant ingredient (V)-based diet at four graded ration (R) levels [apparent satiation (AS), R75, R50 and R25 % of AS]; one treatment group was maintained under starvation. The feeding trial lasted 12 weeks at a water temperature of 17 °C. Dietary intake, apparent digestibility and initial and final whole-body composition data were used to calculate mineral gain which was regressed against digestible mineral intake (both expressed as mg or µg kg(-0.8) day(-1)). Starvation loss (SL), endogenous loss of fed fish (ELF, y-intercept at x = 0) and point of intake for zero balance (PZB, x-intercept at y = 0) were used as estimates of maintenance requirements. SL provided the lowest estimate, ELF provided the net requirement of a mineral for maintenance and PZB provided the digestible dietary intake required to meet maintenance (SL < ELF < PZB). Dietary ingredient composition did not significantly affect the digestible mineral supply required for maintenance (PZB) for any of the minerals (P, Mg, K, Cu and Zn) studied. However, ELF of micro-minerals such as Cu and Zn were significantly affected. The ELF of Cu was significantly lower and that of Zn was significantly higher in V group compared with M-fed fish. Further studies on the effects of such changes in dietary formulations on micro-mineral metabolism are warranted.

Three dissimilar high fat diets differentially regulate lipid and glucose metabolism in obesity-resistant Slc:Wistar/ST rats

Epidemiologic and ecologic studies suggest that dietary fat plays an important role in the development of obesity. Certain Wistar rat strains do not become obese when fed high-fat diets unlike others. In a preliminary study, we confirmed that Slc:Wistar/ST rats did not become obese when fed high-fat diets. The mechanisms governing the response of hepatic lipid-metabolizing enzymes to large quantities of dietary lipids consumed by obesity-resistant animals are unknown. The aim of the present study is to examine how obesity-resistant animals metabolize various types of high-fat diets and why they do not become obese. For this purpose, male Slc:Wistar/ST rats were fed a control low-fat diet (LS) or a high-fat diet containing fish oil (HF), soybean oil (HS), or lard (HL) for 4 weeks. We observed their phenotypes and determined lipid profiles in plasma and liver as well as mRNA expression levels in liver of genes related to lipid and glucose metabolism using DNA microarray and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain analyses. The body weights of all dietary groups were similar due to isocaloric intakes, whereas the weight of white adipose tissues in the LS group was significantly lower. The HF diet lowered plasma lipid levels by accelerated lipolysis in the peroxisomes and suppressed levels of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion. The HS diet promoted hepatic lipid accumulation by suppressed lipolysis in the peroxisomes and normal levels of VLDL secretion. The lipid profiles of rats fed the LS or HL diet were similar. The HL diet accelerated lipid and glucose metabolism.

Dietary copper triggers onset of fulminant hepatitis in the Long-Evans cinnamon rat model

AIM: To investigate the impact of dietary copper given at different time points on the onset of fulminant hepatitis.

METHODS: The Long-Evans cinnamon (LEC) rat model of Wilson’s disease (WD) was used to study the impact of high dietary copper (hCu) on the induction of fulminant hepatitis at early or late time points of life. High Cu diet was started in rat pups or in adults (month 5) for three months. Animals that received reduced dietary copper (rCu) throughout their lifetime served as a control. Hepatitis-associated serum markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, bilirubin) were analyzed in animal groups receiving hCu or rCu. Liver copper content and liver histology were revealed at sacrifice. A set of 5 marker genes previously found to be affected in injured liver and which are related to angiogenesis (Vegfa), fat metabolism (Srebf1), extracellular matrix (Timp1), oxidative stress (Hmox1), and the cell cycle (Cdkn1a) were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: Regardless of the time point when hCu was started, LEC rats (35/36) developed fulminant hepatitis and died. Animals receiving rCu (36/36) remained healthy, did not develop hepatitis, and survived long term without symptoms of overt disease, although liver copper accumulated in adult animals (477 ± 75 μg/g). With regard to start of hCu, onset of fulminant hepatitis was significantly (P < 0.001) earlier in adults (35 ± 9 d) that showed pre-accumulation of liver copper as compared to the pup group (77 ± 15 d). Hepatitis-associated serum markers, liver copper and liver histology, as well as gene expression, were affected in LEC rats receiving hCu. However, except for early and rapid onset of hepatitis, biochemical and molecular markers were similar at the early and late time points of disease.

CONCLUSION: Rapid onset of fulminant hepatitis in asymptomatic LEC rats with elevated liver copper suggests that there is a critical threshold of liver copper which is important to trigger the course of WD.

Maternal dietary fat intake during gestation and lactation alters tissue fatty acid composition in the adult offspring of C57Bl/6 mice

We investigated the effects of maternal dietary fat intake during gestation and lactation on the tissue fatty acid composition of the adult offspring. Female C57Bl/6 mice were fed high fat diets enriched with lard or safflower oil or chow during mating, gestation and lactation. The offspring obtained from each group of mothers were continued on diets rich in lard, safflower oil or chow post-weaning until 11 weeks of age. Livers and hearts were collected for fatty acid analysis. A maternal diet rich in safflower oil was associated with enrichment of hepatic tissue with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the offspring fed chow post-weaning compared to the offspring fed chow throughout. However, a continuous exposure to a safflower oil- as well as lard-rich diet during the pre- and post-weaning time periods was associated with reduced content of docosahexaenoic acid in both liver and heart tissues compared to the offspring fed chow throughout. In conclusion, this study demonstrated lasting effects of maternal dietary fat intake, as well as an interaction between pre- and post-weaning diets, on the tissue fatty composition in adult offspring.

Interleukin-6 and Cyclooxygenase-2 downregulation by fatty-acid fractions of Ranunculus constantinopolitanus

Background

Medicinal plants represent alternative means for the treatment of several chronic diseases, including inflammation. The genus Ranunculus, a representative of the Ranunculaceae family, has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic and antifungal activities, possibly due to the presence of anemonin and other. Different studies have shown the occurrence of unusual fatty acids (FAs) in Ranunculaceae; however, their therapeutic role has not been investigated. The purpose of this study is to characterize potential anti-inflammatory bioactivities in Ranunculus constantinopolitanus D'Urv., traditionally used in Eastern Mediterranean folk medicine.

Methods

The aerial part of R. constantinopolitanus was subjected to methanol (MeOH) extraction and solvent fractionation. The bioactive fraction (I.2) was further fractionated using column chromatography, and the biologically active subfraction (Y₂₊₃) was identified using infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The effects of I.2 and Y₂₊₃ on cell viability were studied in mouse mammary epithelial SCp2 cells using trypan blue exclusion method. To study the anti-inflammatory activities of I.2 and Y₂₊₃, their ability to reduce interleukin (IL)-6 levels was assessed in endotoxin (ET)-stimulated SCp2 cells using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, the ability of Y₂₊₃ to reduce cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression was studied in IL-1-treated mouse intestinal epithelial Mode-K cells via western blotting. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK), Tukey HSD, two-sample t-test and Dunnett t-tests for multiple comparisons.

Results

The chloroform fraction (I.2) derived from crude MeOH extract of the plant, in addition to Y₂₊₃, a FA mix isolated from this fraction and containing palmitic acid, C18:2 and C18:1 isomers and stearic acid (1:5:8:1 ratio), reduced ET-induced IL-6 levels in SCp2 cells without affecting cell viability or morphology. When compared to fish oil, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and to individual FAs as palmitic, linoleic, oleic and stearic acid or to a mix of these FAs (1:5:8:1 ratio), Y₂₊₃ exhibited higher potency in reducing ET-induced IL-6 levels within a shorter period of time. Y₂₊₃ also reduced COX-2 expression in IL-1-treated Mode-K cells.

Conclusion

Our studies demonstrate the existence of potential anti-inflammatory bioactivities in R. constantinopolitanus and attribute them to a FA mix in this plant.

Greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris) develop liver lesions when exposed to a chronic and dietary low dose of an environmental organohalogen cocktail

We assessed the relationship between exposure to organohalogen polluted minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) blubber and liver morphology and function in a generational controlled study of 28 Greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris). The prevalence of portal fibrosis, mild bile duct hyperplasia, and vascular leukocyte infiltrations was significantly higher in the exposed group (all Chi-square: p<0.05). In case of granulomas, the frequency was significantly highest in the bitches (P generation) while the prevalence of portal fibrosis was highest in the F generation (pups) (both Chi-square: p<0.05). No significant difference between exposed and controls was found for bile acid, ALAT, and ALKP, while ASAT and LDH were significantly highest in the control group (both ANOVA: p<0.05). We therefore suggest that a daily intake of 50-200g environmentally organohalogen polluted minke whale blubber can cause liver lesions in Greenland sledge dogs. It is reasonable to infer that other apex predators such as polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and humans may suffer from similar impacts.

Evidence for the immunostimulatory effects of low-dose orally delivered human IFN-alpha in cattle

Orally delivered interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has been associated with systemic protection against various disorders in humans and animals. In an attempt to understand how IFN-alpha delivers a systemic signal following its local oral administration, the present study aimed at identifying genes differentially regulated in bovine peripheral blood through the use of cDNA microarrays following oral therapy with IFN-alpha. We identified thousands of genes to be IFN-alpha regulated. Of these, about 8.5% had a minimum 4-fold degree of change, the majority of which represented novel IFN-stimulated genes (ISG). Several upregulated ISGs were transcripts with key and diverse biologic functions, including antigen processing and presentation, leukocyte migration, lymphocyte activation, immune effector and modulation functions, apoptosis, and hematopoiesis. Interestingly, IFN-alpha expression itself was not modulated in bovine peripheral blood, suggesting that the blood levels of IFN-alpha are not the hallmark of the immunostimulatory effects of oral IFN-alpha therapy. Rather, IFN-alpha seems to interact with local mucosal lymphoid cells in the gastrointestinal tract. This interaction may initiate a signaling cascade eventually leading to the transcriptional induction of ISGs, which in turn encode immunostimulatoiry proteins. Thus, ISGs, through the proteins they encode, may potentially perform critical immune modulation functions.

The LEC rat: a useful model for studying liver carcinogenesis related to oxidative stress and inflammation

Growing evidence indicates oxidative stress as a mechanism of several diseases including cancer. Oxidative stress can be defined as the imbalance between cellular oxidant species production and antioxidant capability shifted towards the former. Lipid peroxidation is one of the processes that takes place during oxidative stress. Lipid peroxidation products, such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), are closely related to carcinogenesis as they are potent mutagens and they have been suggested as modulators of signal pathways related to proliferation and apoptosis, two processes implicated in cancer development. Mechanisms by which oxidative stress leads to tumor formation are still under investigation. The need of suitable in vivo models that could reflect that inflammation-related human carcinogenesis is evident. In this regard, the mutant strain Long Evans Cinnamon-like (LEC) rat provides a promising model for investigation of the relationship between hepatitis induced by oxidative stress and hepatocarcinogenesis because it has been demonstrated to develop spontaneous liver tumor formation related to copper accumulation and oxidative stress. In this review, the findings regarding oxidative stress and its relation with liver pathologies in LEC rats are discussed; we focus on the mechanisms proposed for HNE carcinogenesis.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) blunts liver injury by conversion to protective lipid mediators: protectin D1 and 17S-hydroxy-DHA

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a omega-3 essential fatty acid that reduces the incidence and severity of a number of diseases. Recently, a novel series of DHA-derived lipid mediators with potent protective actions has been identified. In this study we demonstrate that dietary amplification of these DHA-derived products protects the liver from necroinflammatory injury. In vitro, supplementation of hepatocytes with DHA significantly reduced hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage, evaluated by the "comet assay," and oxidative stress, determined by measurement of malondialdehyde levels. In vivo, dietary supplementation of mice with DHA ameliorated carbon tetrachloride-induced necroinflammatory damage. In addition, hepatic cyclooxygenase-2 expression and PGE2 levels were significantly reduced in mice fed DHA-enriched diets. In these animals, increased hepatic formation of DHA-derived lipid mediators (i.e., 17S-hydroxy-DHA (17S-HDHA) and protectin D1) was detected by HPLC-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Consistent with these findings, synthetic 17-HDHA abrogated genotoxic and oxidative damage in hepatocytes and decreased TNF-alpha release and 5-lipoxygenase expression in macrophages. In a transactivation assay, 17-HDHA acted in a concentration-dependent manner as a PPARgamma agonist. Taken together, these findings identify a potential role for DHA-derived products, specifically 17S-HDHA and protectin D1, in mediating the protective effects of dietary DHA in necroinflammatory liver injury.

Association of smoking, alcohol drinking and dietary factors with esophageal cancer in high- and low-risk areas of Jiangsu Province, China

AIM: To study the main environmental and lifestyle factors that account for the regional differences in esophageal cancer (EC) risk in low- and high-risk areas of Jiangsu Province, China.

METHODS: Since 2003, a population-based case-control study has been conducted simultaneously in low-risk (Ganyu County) and high-risk (Dafeng County) areas of Jiangsu Province, China. Using identical protocols and pre-tested standardized questionnaire, following written informed consent, eligible subjects were inquired about their detail information on potential determinants of EC, including demographic information, socio-economic status, living conditions, disease history, family cancer history, smoking, alcohol drinking, dietary habits, frequency, amount of food intake, etc. Conditional logistic regression with maximum likelihood estimation was used to obtain Odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (95% CI), after adjustment for potential confounders.

RESULTS: In the preliminary analysis of the ongoing study, we recruited 291 pairs of cases and controls in Dafeng and 240 pairs of cases and controls in Ganyu, respectively. In both low-risk and high-risk areas, EC was inversely associated with socio-economic status, such as level of education, past economic status and body mass index. However, this disease was more frequent among those who had a family history of cancer or encountered misfortune in the past 10 years. EC was also more frequent among smokers, alcohol drinkers and fast eaters. Furthermore, there was a geographic variation of the associations between smoking, alcohol drinking and EC risk despite the similar prevalence of these risk factors in both low-risk and high-risk areas. The dose-response relationship of smoking and smoking related variables, such as age of the first smoking, duration and amount were apparent only in high-risk areas. On the contrary, a dose-response relationship on the effect of alcohol drinking on EC was observed only in low-risk areas.

CONCLUSION: The environmental risk factors, together with genetic factors and gene-environmental interactions might be the main reason for this high-risk gradient in Jiangsu Province, China.

Maternal dietary fat alters amniotic fluid and fetal intestinal membrane essential n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in the rat

We investigated whether maternal fat intake alters amniotic fluid and fetal intestine phospholipid n-6 and n-3 fatty acids. Female rats were fed a 20% by weight diet from fat with 20% linoleic acid (LA; 18:2n-6) and 8% alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n-3) (control diet, n = 8) or 72% LA and 0.2% ALA (n-3 deficient diet, n = 7) from 2 wk before and then throughout gestation. Amniotic fluid and fetal intestine phospholipid fatty acids were analyzed at day 19 gestation using HPLC and gas-liquid chromotography. Amniotic fluid had significantly lower docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) and higher docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; 22:5n-6) levels in the n-3-deficient group than in the control group (DHA: 1.29 +/- 0.10 and 6.29 +/- 0.33 g/100 g fatty acid; DPA: 4.01 +/- 0.35 and 0.73 +/- 0.15 g/100 g fatty acid, respectively); these differences in DHA and DPA were present in amniotic fluid cholesterol esters and phosphatidylcholine (PC). Fetal intestines in the n-3-deficient group had significantly higher LA, arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), and DPA levels; lower eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and DHA levels in PC; and significantly higher DPA and lower EPA and DHA levels in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) than in the control group; the n-6-to-n-3 fatty acid ratio was 4.9 +/- 0.2 and 32.2 +/- 2.1 in PC and 2.4 +/- 0.03 and 17.1 +/- 0.21 in PE in n-3-deficient and control group intestines, respectively. We demonstrate that maternal dietary fat influences amniotic fluid and fetal intestinal membrane structural lipid essential fatty acids. Maternal dietary fat can influence tissue composition by manipulation of amniotic fluid that is swallowed by the fetus or by transport across the placenta.

Wilson disease: new insights into pathogenesis, diagnosis, and future therapy

Wilson disease is caused by disease-specific mutations of the copper transporting ATPase, ATP7B. The diagnosis is established by clinical and biochemical means, though advances in molecular diagnostics will someday permit de novo diagnosis. The patient may present with hepatic, neurologic, or psychiatric symptoms, or a combination of these. Both environmental and extragenic effects contribute to the varied phenotypic presentations of this disease. Patients can be treated effectively with chelating agents or zinc salts, or with liver transplantation. Liver cell transplant and gene therapy offer potential cures for this disorder, but at present only data from preclinical studies on animal models are available. Future advances in immunotolerization and gene therapy will likely enable human trials for treatment of this disorder and other genetic disorders of hepatic metabolism.