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Hull HR, Brown A, Gajewski B, Sullivan DK, Carlson SE. The Effect of Prenatal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation on Offspring Fat Mass and Distribution at 24 Months Old. Curr Dev Nutr 2024; 8:103771. [PMID: 38948108 PMCID: PMC11214179 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.103771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) is related to increased offspring fat accrual, and increased fat mass (FM) is related to obesity development. Prenatal DHA supplementation has been linked to lower levels of offspring FM; however, conflicting data exist. Objectives This study aimed to determine if there is a protective effect of prenatal DHA supplementation on offspring fat accrual and adipose tissue deposition at 24 mo in offspring born to females who gain excessive weight compared with nonexcessive weight during pregnancy. We also explored if the effect of DHA dose on FM differed by offspring sex. Methods Infants born to females who participated in the Assessment of DHA on Reducing Early Preterm Birth randomized controlled trial (ADORE) were recruited. In ADORE, females were randomly assigned to either a high or low prenatal DHA supplement. Offspring body composition and adipose tissue distribution were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). GWG was categorized as excessive or not excessive based on clinical guidelines. Results For total FM, there was a significant main effect for the DHA dose (P = 0.03); however, the dose by GWG status was nonsignificant (P = 0.44). Therefore, a higher prenatal DHA dose was related to greater offspring FM (622.9 g greater) and unrelated to GWG status. When investigating a DHA dose by sex effect, a significant main effect for DHA dose (P = 0.01) was detected for central FM. However, no interaction was detected (P = 0.98), meaning that both boys and girls had greater central FM if their mother was assigned to the higher DHA dose. Conclusions Greater prenatal DHA supplementation was associated with greater offspring FM and adipose tissue distribution at 24 mo. It will be important to understand if these effects persist into childhood.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03310983.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly R Hull
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Alexandra Brown
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Byron Gajewski
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Debra K Sullivan
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Susan E Carlson
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
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Hull HR, Gajewski BJ, Sullivan DK, Carson SE. Growth and adiposity in newborns study (GAINS): The influence of prenatal DHA supplementation protocol. Contemp Clin Trials 2023; 132:107279. [PMID: 37406769 PMCID: PMC10852997 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity and central fat mass (FM) accrual drive disease development and are related to greater morbidity and mortality. Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) increases fetal fat accretion resulting in greater offspring FM across the lifespan. Studies associate greater maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels with lower offspring FM and lower visceral adipose tissue during childhood, however, most U.S. pregnant women do not consume an adequate amount of DHA. We will determine if prenatal DHA supplementation is protective for body composition changes during infancy and toddlerhood in offspring exposed to excessive GWG. METHODS AND DESIGN Infants born to women who participated in the Assessment of DHA on Reducing Early Preterm Birth randomized controlled trial (ADORE; NCT02626299) will be invited to participate. Women were randomized to either a high 1000 mg or low 200 mg daily prenatal DHA supplement starting in the first trimester of pregnancy. Offspring body composition and adipose tissue distribution will be measured at 2 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Maternal GWG will be categorized as excessive or not excessive based on clinical guidelines. DISCUSSION Effective strategies to prevent obesity development are lacking. Exposures during the prenatal period are important in the establishment of the offspring phenotype. However, it is largely unknown which exposures can be successfully targeted to have a meaningful impact. This study will determine if prenatal DHA supplementation modifies the relationship between maternal weight gain and offspring FM and FM distribution at 24 months of age. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The University of Kansas Medical Center Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved the study protocol (STUDY00140895). The results of the trial will be disseminated at conferences and in peer reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03310983.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly R Hull
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States of America.
| | - Byron J Gajewski
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States of America
| | - Debra K Sullivan
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States of America
| | - Susan E Carson
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States of America
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Jackson KH, Klatt KC, Caudill MA, McDougall MQ, West AA, Perry CA, Malysheva OV, Harris WS. Baseline red blood cell and breast milk DHA levels affect responses to standard dose of DHA in lactating women on a controlled feeding diet. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2021; 166:102248. [PMID: 33516092 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2021.102248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The importance of providing the newborn infant with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from breast milk is well established. However, women in the United States, on average, have breast milk DHA levels of 0.20%, which is below the worldwide average (and proposed target) of >0.32%. Additionally, the relationship between maternal red blood cell (RBC) and breast milk DHA levels may provide insight into the sufficiency of DHA recommendations during lactation. Whether the standard recommendation of at least 200 mg/day of supplemental DHA during lactation is sufficient for most women to achieve a desirable RBC and breast milk DHA status is unknown. METHODS Lactating women (n = 27) at about 5 weeks postpartum were enrolled in a 10-12 week controlled feeding study that included randomization to 480 or 930 mg choline/d (diet plus supplementation). As part of the intervention, all participants were required to consume a 200 mg/d of microalgal DHA. RBC and breast milk DHA levels were measured by capillary gas chromatography in an exploratory analysis. RESULTS Median RBC DHA was 5.0% (95% CI: 4.3, 5.5) at baseline and 5.1% (4.6, 5.4) after 10 weeks of supplementation (P = 0.6). DHA as a percent of breast milk fatty acids increased from 0.19% (0.18, 0.33) to 0.34% (0.27, 0.38) after supplementation (P<0.05). The proportion of women meeting the target RBC DHA level of >5% was unchanged (52% at baseline and week 10). The proportion of women achieving a breast milk DHA level of >0.32% approximately doubled from 30% to 56% (p = 0.06). Baseline RBC and breast milk DHA levels affected their responses to supplementation. Those with baseline RBC and breast milk DHA levels above the median (5% and 0.19%, respectively) experienced no change or a slight decrease in levels, while those below the median had a significant increase. Choline supplementation did not significantly influence final RBC or breast milk DHA levels. CONCLUSIONS On average, the standard prenatal DHA dose of 200 mg/d did not increase RBC DHA but did increase breastmilk DHA over 10 weeks in a cohort of lactating women in a controlled-feeding study. Baseline DHA levels in RBC and breast milk affected the response to DHA supplementation, with lower levels being associated with a greater increase and higher levels with no change or a slight decrease. Additional larger, dose-response DHA trials accounting for usual intakes and baseline DHA status are needed to determine how to best achieve target breast milk DHA levels and to identify additional modifiers of the variable breast milk DHA response to maternal DHA supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Harris Jackson
- OmegaQuant Analytics, LLC. Sioux Falls, SD, 57105, USA; Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105, USA.
| | - Kevin C Klatt
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Marie A Caudill
- Division of Nutritional Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | | | - Allyson A West
- Division of Nutritional Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Cydne A Perry
- Division of Nutritional Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Olga V Malysheva
- Division of Nutritional Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - William S Harris
- Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105, USA; Fatty Acid Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105, USA
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Adjepong M, Yakah W, Harris WS, Annan RA, Pontifex MB, Fenton JI. Whole blood n-3 fatty acids are associated with executive function in 2-6-year-old Northern Ghanaian children. J Nutr Biochem 2018; 57:287-293. [PMID: 29852451 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2018.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Several studies demonstrate the importance of essential fatty acids (EFAs), and the long chain polyunsaturated FA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on cognition and brain development. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between whole-blood FAs and executive function in children from Northern Ghana. A total of 307, 2-to-6-year-old children attempted the dimensional change card sort (DCCS) task to assess executive function, and dried blood spot samples were collected and analyzed for FA content. Significant differences in mean % total whole-blood fatty acids were observed between children who could not follow directions on the DCCS test (49.8% of the sample) and those who could (50.2% of the sample). Positive associations with DCCS performance were observed for DHA (β=0.25, P=.06), total n-3 (β=0.17, P=.06) and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA; β=0.60, P=.06). Children with the highest levels of total n-3 and DHA were three and four times, respectively, more likely to pass at least one condition of the DCCS test of executive function than those with the lowest DHA levels. The results of this study indicate an association between n-3 FAs and high-level cognitive processes in children two to six years of age, providing impetus for further studies into possible interventions to improve EFA status of children in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Adjepong
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
| | - William Yakah
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
| | - William S Harris
- Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota and Omega Quant Analytics, LLC, Sioux Falls, SD
| | - Reginald A Annan
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Jenifer I Fenton
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
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Adjepong M, Pickens CA, Jain R, Harris WS, Annan RA, Fenton JI. Association of whole blood n-6 fatty acids with stunting in 2-to-6-year-old Northern Ghanaian children: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193301. [PMID: 29494645 PMCID: PMC5832227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In Northern Ghana, 33% of children are stunted due to economic disparities. Dietary fatty acids (FA) are critical for growth, but whether blood FA levels are adequate in Ghanaian children is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the association between whole blood FAs and growth parameters in Northern Ghanaian children 2-6 years of age. A drop of blood was collected on an antioxidant treated card and analyzed for FA composition. Weight and height were measured and z-scores were calculated. Relationships between FAs and growth parameters were analyzed by Spearman correlations, linear regressions, and factor analysis. Of the 307 children who participated, 29.7% were stunted and 8% were essential FA deficient (triene/tetraene ratio>0.02). Essential FA did not differ between stunted and non-stunted children and was not associated with height-for-age z-score (HAZ) or weight-for-age z-score (WAZ). In hemoglobin adjusted regression models, both HAZ and WAZ were positively associated with arachidonic acid (p≤0.01), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA, p≤0.05), docosatetraenoic acid (p≤0.01) and the ratio of DGLA/linoleic acid (p≤0.01). These data add to the growing body of evidence indicating n-6 FAs are critical in childhood linear growth. Our findings provide new insights into the health status of an understudied Northern Ghanaian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Adjepong
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - C. Austin Pickens
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Raghav Jain
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - William S. Harris
- Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota and Omega Quant Analytics, LLC, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States of America
| | | | - Jenifer I. Fenton
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
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Carlson SE, Gajewski BJ, Valentine CJ, Rogers LK, Weiner CP, DeFranco EA, Buhimschi CS. Assessment of DHA on reducing early preterm birth: the ADORE randomized controlled trial protocol. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2017; 17:62. [PMID: 28193189 PMCID: PMC5307851 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-017-1244-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm birth contributes to 0.5 million deliveries in the United States (one of eight pregnancies) and poses a huge burden on public health with costs in the billions. Of particular concern is that the rate of earliest preterm birth (<34 weeks) (ePTB), which has decreased little since 1990 and has the greatest impact on the overall infant mortality, resulting in the greatest cost to society. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation provides a potential high yield, low risk strategy to reduce early preterm delivery in the US by up to 75%. We propose a Phase III Clinical Trial (randomized to low or high dose DHA, double-blinded) to examine the efficacy and safety of high dose DHA supplementation to reduce ePTB. We also plan for a secondary pregnancy efficacy analysis to determine if there is a subset of pregnancies most likely to benefit from DHA supplementation. METHODS Between 900 and 1200 pregnant women who are ≥ 18 years old and between 12 and 20 weeks gestation will be recruited from three trial experienced academic medical institutions. Participants will be randomly assigned to two daily capsules of algal oil (totaling 800 mg DHA) or soybean and corn oil (0 mg DHA). Both groups will receive a commercially available prenatal supplement containing 200 mg DHA. Therefore, the experimental group will receive 1000 mg DHA/d and the control group 200 mg DHA/d. We will then employ a novel Bayesian response adaptive randomization design that assigns more subjects to the "winning" group and potentially allows for substantially smaller sample size while providing a stronger conclusion regarding the most effective group. The study has an overall Type I error rate of 5% and a power of 90%. Participants are followed throughout pregnancy and delivery for safety and delivery outcomes. DISCUSSION We hypothesize that DHA will decrease the frequency of ePTB <34 weeks. Reducing ePTB is clinically important as these earliest preterm deliveries carry the highest risk of neonatal morbidity, as well as contribute significant stress for families and post a large societal burden. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT02626299 ) on December 8, 2015. Additional summary details may be found in Table 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E. Carlson
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, MS 4013, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160 USA
| | - Byron J. Gajewski
- Department of Biostatistics, MS 1026, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160 USA
| | - Christina J. Valentine
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, PO Box 670526, Cincinnati, OH 45267 USA
| | - Lynette K. Rogers
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Center for Perinatal Research, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205 USA
| | - Carl P. Weiner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MS 2028, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160 USA
- Division Maternal Fetal Medicine, Center for the Developmental Origins of Adult Health and Disease, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160 USA
| | - Emily A. DeFranco
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, PO Box 670526, Cincinnati, OH 45267 USA
| | - Catalin S. Buhimschi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ohio State University, 370 W. 13th Ave., Rm 588, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
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Whole-blood fatty acids are associated with executive function in Tanzanian children aged 4-6 years: a cross-sectional study. Br J Nutr 2016; 116:1537-1545. [PMID: 27765078 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114516003494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Essential fatty acids (EFA) are PUFA that are metabolised to long-chain PUFA and are important for brain development and cognitive function. The objective of this study was to determine the association between whole-blood EFA and cognitive function in Tanzanian children. A total of 325 2-6-year-old children attempted the dimensional change card sort (DCCS) tasks to assess executive function. Blood samples were collected for fatty acid (FA) analysis by GC. Associations between executive function and FA levels were assessed by regression. Among the 130 4-6-year-old children who attempted the DCCS tasks, whole-blood levels of linoleic acid were positively associated with executive function, whereas whole-blood levels of α-linolenic acid and nervonic acid were inversely associated with executive function. A full model including all twenty-five FA explained 38 % of the variation in executive function, whereas a reduced model including only the EFA (α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid), DHA and EPA explained 25 % of the variation in executive function. Children who had sufficient whole-blood levels of EFA were 3·8 times more likely to successfully complete all DCCS tasks compared with children with insufficient EFA. These results suggest that whole-blood FA levels are associated with cognitive abilities. Intervention trials that include assessment of whole-blood FA levels are required to determine the relationships between intake, blood levels and executive function in Tanzanian children.
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Jumbe TJ, Pickens CA, Valentini K, Adjepong M, Li W, Kinabo JL, Fenton JI. Evaluation of fatty acid and mineral content of Tanzanian seeds and oils. J Food Compost Anal 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2016.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Ford R, Faber M, Kunneke E, Smuts CM. Dietary fat intake and red blood cell fatty acid composition of children and women from three different geographical areas in South Africa. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2016; 109:13-21. [PMID: 27269709 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Dietary fat intake, particularly the type of fat, is reflected in the red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid (FA) profile and is vital in growth, development and health maintenance. The FA profile (%wt/wt) of RBC membrane phospholipids (as determined by gas chromatography) and dietary intake (as determined by 24h recall) was assessed in 2-6y old South African children and their caregivers randomly selected from three communities, i.e. an urban Northern Cape community (urban-NC; n=104), an urban coastal Western Cape community (urban-WC; n=93) and a rural Limpopo Province community (rural-LP; n=102). Mean RBC FA values across groups were compared using ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test while controlling for age and gender (children); median dietary intake values were compared using a Kruskal-Wallis test. Dietary intakes for total fat, saturated FAs and polyunsaturated FAs were higher in the two urban areas compared to the rural area. Total fat intake in rural-LP, and omega-3 FA dietary intake in all three areas were lower than the South African adopted guidelines. Dietary SFA intake in both urban areas was higher than recommended by South African guidelines; this was reflected in the RBC membrane FA profile. Rural-LP children had the lowest intake of omega-3 and omega-6 FAs yet presented with the highest RBC docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) profile and highest arachidonic acid percentage. Although differences observed in dietary fat intake between the two urban and the rural area were reflected in the RBC membrane total phospholipid FA profile, the lowest total fat and α-linolenic acid (ALA) intake by rural children that presented with the highest RBC DHA profile warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalyn Ford
- Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstrom 2520, South Africa
| | - Mieke Faber
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, PO Box 19070, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
| | - Ernesta Kunneke
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Cornelius M Smuts
- Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstrom 2520, South Africa.
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Jumbe T, Comstock SS, Hahn SL, Harris WS, Kinabo J, Fenton JI. Whole Blood Levels of the n-6 Essential Fatty Acid Linoleic Acid Are Inversely Associated with Stunting in 2-to-6 Year Old Tanzanian Children: A Cross-Sectional Study. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154715. [PMID: 27137223 PMCID: PMC4854382 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Tanzania, 35% of all children below five years of age are stunted. Dietary fatty acids (FA) are critical for growth and development. However, whole blood FA levels in Tanzanian children are poorly described. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to assess 1) whole blood levels of essential fatty acids and 2) the association between whole blood FA levels and growth parameters in Tanzanian children 2-6 years of age. METHODS A drop of blood was collected on an antioxidant treated card and analyzed for FA composition. Weight and height were measured and z-scores calculated. Relationships between FAs and growth parameters were analyzed by linear regression. RESULTS Of the 334 children that participated, 30.3% were stunted. The average whole blood level of Mead acid was 0.15%. The anthropometric z-score height-for-age (HAZ) was inversely associated with Mead acid, the Mead acid to arachidonic acid (T/T) ratio, and total n-9 FA. Additionally, HAZ was positively associated with linoleic acid and total n-6 FA. BMI-for-age was positively associated with oleic acid, total n-9 FA and T/T ratio but inversely associated with arachidonic acid and total n-6 FA. Weight-for-height was inversely associated with arachidonic acid and total n-6 FAs and positively associated with oleic acid and total n-9 FA. Weight-for-age was not associated with any FA tested. Total n-3 FAs were not associated with any growth parameters measured. CONCLUSIONS The EFA linoleic acid and the markers of FA deficiency were associated with HAZ, an indicator for stunting in 2-6 year old Tanzanian children. Total n-6, total n-9, and a number of individual FAs were associated with growth. Increasing dietary intake of EFA and n-6 FAs may be a strategy to combat stunting in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresia Jumbe
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Sarah S. Comstock
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Samantha L. Hahn
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - William S. Harris
- Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota and OmegaQuant Analytics, LLC, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States of America
| | - Joyce Kinabo
- Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Jenifer I. Fenton
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Ruiz-Núñez B, Dijck-Brouwer DAJ, Muskiet FAJ. The relation of saturated fatty acids with low-grade inflammation and cardiovascular disease. J Nutr Biochem 2016; 36:1-20. [PMID: 27692243 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The mantra that dietary (saturated) fat must be minimized to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has dominated nutritional guidelines for decades. Parallel to decreasing intakes of fat and saturated fatty acids (SFA), there have been increases in carbohydrate and sugar intakes, overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The "lipid hypothesis" coined the concept that fat, especially SFA, raises blood low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and thereby CVD risk. In view of current controversies regarding their adequate intakes and effects, this review aims to summarize research regarding this heterogenic group of fatty acids and the mechanisms relating them to (chronic) systemic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and notably CVD. The intimate relationship between inflammation and metabolism, including glucose, fat and cholesterol metabolism, revealed that the dyslipidemia in Western societies, notably increased triglycerides, "small dense" low-density lipoprotein and "dysfunctional" high-density lipoprotein, is influenced by many unfavorable lifestyle factors. Dietary SFA is only one of these, not necessarily the most important, in healthy, insulin-sensitive people. The environment provides us not only with many other proinflammatory stimuli than SFA but also with many antiinflammatory counterparts. Resolution of the conflict between our self-designed environment and ancient genome may rather rely on returning to the proinflammatory/antiinflammatory balance of the Paleolithic era in consonance with the 21st century culture. Accordingly, dietary guidelines might reconsider recommendations for SFA replacement and investigate diet in a broader context, together with nondietary lifestyle factors. This should be a clear priority, opposed to the reductionist approach of studying the effects of single nutrients, such as SFA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Begoña Ruiz-Núñez
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - D A Janneke Dijck-Brouwer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Frits A J Muskiet
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Fasting enriches liver triacylglycerol with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: implications for understanding the adipose-liver axis in serum docosahexaenoic acid regulation. GENES AND NUTRITION 2015; 10:39. [PMID: 26386841 DOI: 10.1007/s12263-015-0490-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the effect of short-term fasting on coordinate changes in the fatty acid composition of adipose triacylglycerol (TAG), serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), liver TAG, and serum TAG and phospholipids in mice fed ad libitum or fasted for 16 h overnight. In contrast to previous reports under conditions of maximal lipolysis, adipose tissue TAG was not preferentially depleted of n-3 PUFA or any specific fatty acids, nor were there any striking changes in the serum NEFA composition. Short-term fasting did, however, increase the hepatic proportion of n-3 PUFA, and almost all individual species of n-3 PUFA showed relative and absolute increases. The relative proportion of n-6 PUFA in liver TAG also increased but to a lesser extent, resulting in a significant decrease in the n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio (from 14.3 ± 2.54 to 9.6 ± 1.20), while the proportion of MUFA decreased significantly and SFA proportion did not change. Examination of genes involved in PUFA synthesis suggested that hepatic changes in the elongation and desaturation of precursor lipids could not explain this effect. Rather, an increase in the expression of fatty acid transporters specific for 22:6n-3 and other long-chain n-3 and n-6 PUFA likely mediated the observed hepatic enrichment. Analysis of serum phospholipids indicated a specific increase in the concentration of 22:6n-3 and 16:0, suggesting increased specific synthesis of DHA-enriched phospholipid by the liver for recirculation. Given the importance of blood phospholipid in distributing DHA to neural tissue, these findings have implications for understanding the adipose-liver-brain axis in n-3 PUFA metabolism.
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Essential fatty acid intake and serum fatty acid composition among adolescent girls in central Mozambique. Br J Nutr 2015; 113:1086-95. [PMID: 25772191 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114515000306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Many African diets are low in fat but are currently changing because of nutrition transition. We studied fat and fatty acid (FA) intake and the essential fatty acid (EFA) status of adolescent girls (aged 14-19 years, n 262) in Zambezia Province, central Mozambique. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a city as well as in the towns and rural villages of a coastal and an inland district. Dietary intake and FA sources were studied in a 24 h dietary recall. FA compositions of cholesteryl esters and phospholipids of non-fasting serum samples were analysed by GLC. Fat intake was low (13-18 % of energy) in all areas. Coconut and palm oil were the main sources of fat, and soyabean oil and maize were the main sources of PUFA. Compared to Food and Agriculture Organization/WHO 2010 recommendations, intake of linoleic acid (LA, 18 : 2n-6) was inadequate in the coastal district, and intakes of n-3 PUFA were inadequate in all areas. FA compositions of serum lipids differed between areas. The proportions of LA tended to be highest in the city and lowest in the rural areas. The phospholipid mead (20 : 3n-9):arachidonic acid (20 : 4n-6) ratio did not indicate EFA insufficiency. LA proportions in phospholipids were low, but those of long-chain n-6 and n-3 PUFA were high in comparison with Western adolescents. To conclude, fat sources, FA intake and EFA status differed between adolescent girls living in different types of communities. Fat intake was low, but EFA insufficiency was not indicated.
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Luxwolda MF, Kuipers RS, Sango WS, Kwesigabo G, Dijck-Brouwer DAJ, Muskiet FAJ. A maternal erythrocyte DHA content of approximately 6 g% is the DHA status at which intrauterine DHA biomagnifications turns into bioattenuation and postnatal infant DHA equilibrium is reached. Eur J Nutr 2012; 51:665-75. [PMID: 21952690 PMCID: PMC3419349 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-011-0245-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2011] [Accepted: 09/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Higher long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) in infant compared with maternal lipids at delivery is named biomagnification. The decline of infant and maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) status during lactation in Western countries suggests maternal depletion. We investigated whether biomagnification persists at lifelong high fish intakes and whether the latter prevents a postpartum decline of infant and/or maternal DHA status. METHODS We studied 3 Tanzanian tribes with low (Maasai: 0/week), intermediate (Pare: 2-3/week), and high (Sengerema: 4-5/week) fish intakes. DHA and arachidonic acid (AA) were determined in maternal (m) and infant (i) erythrocytes (RBC) during pregnancy (1st trimester n = 14, 2nd = 103, 3rd = 88), and in mother-infant pairs at delivery (n = 63) and at 3 months postpartum (n = 104). RESULTS At delivery, infants of all tribes had similar iRBC-AA which was higher than, and unrelated to, mRBC-AA. Transplacental DHA biomagnification occurred up to 5.6 g% mRBC-DHA; higher mRBC-DHA was associated with "bioattenuation" (i.e., iRBC-DHA < mRBC-DHA). Compared to delivery, mRBC-AA after 3 months was higher, while iRBC-AA was lower. mRBC-DHA after 3 months was lower, while iRBC-DHA was lower (low fish intake), equal (intermediate fish intake), and higher (high fish intake) compared to delivery. We estimated that postpartum iRBC-DHA equilibrium is reached at 5.9 g%, which corresponds to a mRBC-DHA of 6.1 g% throughout pregnancy. CONCLUSION Uniform high iRBC-AA at delivery might indicate the importance of intrauterine infant AA status. Biomagnification reflects low maternal DHA status, and bioattenuation may prevent intrauterine competition of DHA with AA. A mRBC-DHA of about 6 g% during pregnancy predicts maternal-fetal equilibrium at delivery, postnatal iRBC-DHA equilibrium, but is unable to prevent a postnatal mRBC-DHA decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine F Luxwolda
- Laboratory Medicine, Groningen University Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Kuipers RS, Luxwolda MF, Offringa PJ, Boersma ER, Dijck-Brouwer DAJ, Muskiet FAJ. Gestational age dependent changes of the fetal brain, liver and adipose tissue fatty acid compositions in a population with high fish intakes. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2012; 86:189-99. [PMID: 22425685 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2012.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2011] [Revised: 02/21/2012] [Accepted: 02/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There are no data on the intrauterine fatty acid (FA) compositions of brain, liver and adipose tissue of infants born to women with high fish intakes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We analyzed the brain (n=18), liver (n=14) and adipose tissue (n=11) FA compositions of 20 stillborn infants with different gestational ages (range 8-38 weeks) born to Tanzanian women with low linoleic acid (LA) intakes and high intakes of docosahexaenoic (DHA) and arachidonic (AA) acids from local fish. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION With advancing gestation, brain saturated-FA (SAFA; in g/100g FA), polyunsaturated-FA (PUFA), DHA, 20:3ω6, 22:4ω6 and 22:5ω6 increased, while monounsaturated-FA (MUFA), 20:3ω9, 22:3ω9 and AA decreased. Decreasing brain AA might be caused by increasing AA-metabolism to 20:3ω6, 22:4ω6 and 22:5ω6. In the liver, SAFA, PUFA and LA increased, while MUFA decreased with gestation. The steep increase of (mostly de novo synthesized) SAFA in adipose tissue coincided with relative decreases of MUFA, PUFA, DHA, LA and AA with advancing gestation. Compared to Western infants, the currently studied African infants had higher DHA, lower AA, and a higher DHA/AA-ratio in brain and adipose tissue, while the LA content of adipose tissue was lower. CONCLUSION The low LA and high DHA and AA intakes by the mothers of these infants might support optimal α-linolenic (ALA) vs. LA competition for Δ5D and Δ6D-activities and DHA vs. AA antagonism. Conversely, the Western diet, characterized by high LA and lower DHA and AA intakes, might disturb these evolutionary conserved mechanisms aiming at an optimal ω3/ω6-balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remko S Kuipers
- Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Kuipers RS, Luxwolda MF, Offringa PJ, Martini IA, Boersma ER, Dijck-Brouwer DAJ, Muskiet FAJ. Gestational age dependent content, composition and intrauterine accretion rates of fatty acids in fetal white adipose tissue. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2012; 86:39-49. [PMID: 22093549 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2011.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2011] [Revised: 10/09/2011] [Accepted: 10/13/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the gestational age (GA) dependent content, composition and intrauterine accretion rates of fatty acids (FA) in fetal white adipose tissue (WAT). OBJECTIVE & DESIGN To acquire this information, we collected abdominal subcutaneous WAT samples from 40 preterm and term fetuses. Their GA ranged from 22 to 43 weeks. FA were expressed as mg/g wet WAT and g/100g FA (g%). Intrauterine WAT FA accretion rates were estimated for appropriate (AGA) and large (LGA) for gestational age infants. RESULTS From 25 to 40 weeks gestation, saturated-FA (SAFA) increased from 83 to 298 mg/g WAT and monounsaturated-FA (MUFA) from 83 to 226 mg/g WAT, while polyunsaturated-FA (PUFA) increased insignificantly from 18.0 to 23.2 mg/g WAT. As percentages of total FA, SAFA increased from 46 to 55 g%, MUFA decreased from 44 to 41 g%, and PUFA from 10.3 to 4.26 g%. Docosahexaenoic (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) accretion rates in WAT during the 3rd trimester for AGA infants were 88 and 193 mg/week, respectively. Contemporaneous DHA and AA accretion rates for 4500 g LGA infants were 184 and 402 mg/week, respectively. Compared to the whole 3rd trimester, increment rates during the last 5 weeks of gestation were about 2-fold higher. CONCLUSION FA accretion rates, notably those of DHA and AA, may be important for designing nutritional regiments for preterm infants. The current WAT-DHA and WAT-AA accretion rates are considerably lower than previously reported in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remko S Kuipers
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Kuipers RS, Luxwolda MF, Offringa PJ, Boersma ER, Dijck-Brouwer DAJ, Muskiet FAJ. Fetal intrauterine whole body linoleic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid contents and accretion rates. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2012; 86:13-20. [PMID: 22115845 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2011.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2011] [Revised: 10/24/2011] [Accepted: 10/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is no information on the whole body fatty acid (FA) contents of preterm or term infants, although scattered information on the FA-composition of many organs is available. MATERIAL AND METHODS We collected data on the weights, lipid contents and FA-compositions of the quantitatively most important fetal organs of appropriate for gestational age (AGA) Western infants. From these we estimated the total body contents of linoleic (LA), arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids at 25, 35 and 40 weeks of gestation. RESULTS Western infants accrete FA in the order of LA>AA>DHA at all stages during pregnancy and the highest accretion rates are reached in the last 5 weeks of gestation, i.e. 342 mg LA, 95 mg AA and 42 mg DHA/day. At term, most of the infant's LA, AA and DHA is located in adipose tissue (68, 44 and 50%, respectively), with substantial amounts of LA also located in skeletal muscle (17%) and skin (13%); of AA in skeletal muscle (40%) and brain (11%); and of DHA in brain (23%) and skeletal muscle (21%). The term AGA infant has accreted about 21 g LA, 7.5 g AA and 3 g DHA, which constitutes a gap of 12 g LA, 3.3 g AA and 1.5 g DHA compared to a 35 weeks old AGA infant. CONCLUSION The current fetal LA, AA and DHA pool sizes and accretion rates may especially be useful to estimate the preterm infant's requirements and the maternal LCP needs during pregnancy. Since they derive from populations with typically Western diets they do not necessarily reflect 'optimality' or 'health'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remko S Kuipers
- Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Postpartum changes in maternal and infant erythrocyte fatty acids are likely to be driven by restoring insulin sensitivity and DHA status. Med Hypotheses 2011; 76:794-801. [PMID: 21388747 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2011.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2010] [Revised: 12/20/2010] [Accepted: 02/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Perinatal changes in maternal glucose and lipid fluxes and de novo lipogenesis (DNL) are driven by hormones and nutrients. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) reduces, whereas insulin augments, nuclear abundance of sterol-regulatory-element-binding-protein-1 (SREBP-1), which promotes DNL, stearoyl-CoA-desaturase (SCD, also Δ9-desaturase), fatty acid-(FA)-elongation (Elovl) and FA-desaturation (FADS). Decreasing maternal insulin sensitivity with advancing gestation and compensatory hyperinsulinemia cause augmented postprandial glucose levels, adipose tissue lipolysis and hepatic glucose- and VLDL-production. Hepatic VLDL is composed of dietary, body store and DNL derived FA. Decreasing insulin sensitivity increases the contribution of FA from hepatic-DNL in VLDL-triacylglycerols, and consequently saturated-FA and monounsaturated-FA (MUFA) in maternal serum lipids increase during pregnancy. Although other authors described changes in maternal serum and RBC essential-FA (EFA) after delivery, none went into detail about the changes in non-EFA and the mechanisms behind -and/or functions of- the observed changes. HYPOTHESIS Postpartum FA-changes result from changing enzymatic activities that are influenced by the changing hormonal milieu after delivery and DHA-status. EMPIRICAL DATA We studied FA-profiles and FA-ratios (as indices for enzymatic activities) of maternal and infant RBC at delivery and after 3 months exclusive breastfeeding in three populations with increasing freshwater-fish intakes. DNL-, SCD- and FADS2-activities decreased after delivery. Elongation-6 (Elovl-6)- and FADS1-activities increased. The most pronounced postpartum changes for mothers were increases in 18:0, linoleic (LA), arachidonic acid (AA) and decreases in 16:0, 18:1ω9 and DHA; and for infants increases in 18:1ω9, 22:5ω3, LA and decreases in 16:0 and AA. Changes were in line with the literature. DISCUSSION Postpartum increases in 18:0, and decreases in 16:0 and 18:1ω9, might derive from reduced insulin-promoted DNL-activity, with more reduced SCD- than Elovl-activity that leaves more 16:0 to be converted to 18:0 (Elovl-activity) than to MUFA (SCD-activity). Postpartum changes in ΣDNL, saturated-FA and MUFA related negatively to RBC-DHA. This concurs with suppression of both SCD- and Elovl-6 activities by DHA, through its influence on SREBP. Infant MUFA and LA increased at expense of their mothers. Sustained transport might be important for myelination (MUFA) and skin barrier development (LA). Maternal postpartum decreases in FADS2-, and apparent increases in FADS1-activity, together with increases in LA, AA, and 22:5ω3, but decrease in DHA, confirm that FADS2 is rate limiting in EFA-desaturation. Maternal LA and AA increases might be the result of rerouting from transplacental transfer to the incorporation into milk lipids and discontinued placental AA-utilization. IMPLICATIONS Perinatal changes in maternal and infant FA status may be strongly driven by changing insulin sensitivity and DHA status.
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