Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: The Way Forward in Times of Mixed Evidence

Omega-3 fatty acids and health of auditory and vestibular systems: a comprehensive review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to comprehensively review animal and human studies that explore the role of omega-3 PUFAs in maintaining the health of the auditory organ across all life stages.

METHODS

This narrative review involved searching Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases for relevant articles from December 1980 to July 2023.

RESULTS

some animal and human studies suggest that both deficiency and excessive intake of long-chain omega-3 PUFAs, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can lead to auditory neural conduction impairment and reduced hearing acuity from fetal development to old age (presbycusis). These effects are likely to be dependent on the dosage. Some research indicates that an excessive intake of omega-3, rather than a deficiency, can result in nutritional toxicity and hearing impairments. Animal studies highlight the positive impact of omega-3 supplements with high DHA content in addressing hearing damage, but human research on this subject is limited. Furthermore, certain studies propose that omega-3 PUFAs may prevent or delay age-related hearing loss, with high plasma omega-3 concentration, particularly long-chain omega-3 PUFA, linked to reduced hearing loss. Additionally, consuming fish more than twice a week may be associated with a lower risk of hearing loss in adulthood, with these effects potentially influenced by age and gender. However, the majority of studies have been conducted on animals, and clinical trials are scarce. Research on the influence of omega-3 PUFAs on the peripheral and central vestibular systems remains limited.

CONCLUSION

This article delves into the impact of omega-3 on the auditory-vestibular system, exploring its influence on neurodevelopment, protection, and treatment. It not only highlights specific research gaps but also offers valuable insights for potential future studies.

Marine Animal Co-Products-How Improving Their Use as Rich Sources of Health-Promoting Lipids Can Foster Sustainability

Marine lipids are recognized for their-health promoting features, mainly for being the primary sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and are therefore critical for human nutrition in an age when the global supply for these nutrients is experiencing an unprecedent pressure due to an ever-increasing demand. The seafood industry originates a considerable yield of co-products worldwide that, while already explored for other purposes, remain mostly undervalued as sustainable sources of healthy lipids, often being explored for low-value oil production. These co-products are especially appealing as lipid sources since, besides the well-known nutritional upside of marine animal fat, which is particularly rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, they also have interesting bioactive properties, which may garner them further interest, not only as food, but also for other high-end applications. Besides the added value that these co-products may represent as valuable lipid sources, there is also the obvious ecological upside of reducing seafood industry waste. In this sense, repurposing these bioresources will contribute to a more sustainable use of marine animal food, reducing the strain on already heavily depleted seafood stocks. Therefore, untapping the potential of marine animal co-products as valuable lipid sources aligns with both health and environmental goals by guaranteeing additional sources of healthy lipids and promoting more eco-conscious practices.

Comparison of the effects of a phospholipid-enhanced fish oil versus krill oil product on plasma levels of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids after acute administration: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study

OBJECTIVE

This randomized, double-blind, crossover study evaluated the bioavailability of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA+DHA) in a phospholipid-enhanced fish oil (PEFO) product versus a krill oil (KO) product (337 versus 206 mg EPA+DHA/1 g capsule) in healthy adults (N = 24). The aim of this study was to assess the plasma levels of EPA, DHA, and EPA+DHA following a single capsule of PEFO versus KO products in healthy adult men and women.

METHODS

Participants consumed a single dose of the assigned product, and plasma was obtained at baseline and periodically for 24 h after dosing.

RESULTS

The geometric mean ratio (GMR; 90% confidence interval) of incremental areas under the curve over 24 h PEFO:KO was 319/385 = 0.83 (0.60, 1.15 nmol/L*h), indicating a similar average increment for EPA+DHA with PEFO compared with KO across the 24-h period. The baseline-adjusted maximum concentration of EPA+DHA was greater for PEFO than KO (GMR: 1.25; 90% CI, 1.03-1.51). Finally, the geometric mean for the time to maximum concentration for EPA+DHA was lower for PEFO versus KO (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Absorption of EPA+DHA from the two products was similar, but the absorption profiles differed (higher and earlier peak for PEFO).

NAFLD and nutraceuticals: a review of completed phase III and IV clinical trials

Background

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has become a significant public health concern, affecting approximately one-fourth of the population. Despite its prevalence, no FDA-approved drug treatments specifically target NAFLD.

Aim

To provide a review of clinical trials investigating the use of herbal remedies and dietary supplements in NAFLD management, utilizing the ClinicalTrials.gov database.

Methods

This review evaluates the current evidence by examining completed phase III and IV clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. An exhaustive search was performed on April 17, 2023, using the terms "Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease" and "NAFLD." Two independent reviewers appraised eligible trials based on pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

An initial search yielded 1,226 clinical trials, with 12 meeting the inclusion criteria after filtration. The majority of trials focused on Omega-3 fatty acids (20.0%) and vitamin D (26.7%), followed by caffeine, chlorogenic acid, ginger, phosphatidylcholine, Trigonella Foenum-graecum seed extract, vitamin C, and vitamin E (each 6.7%). Most studies were Phase 3 (75.0%) and used a parallel assignment model (91.7%). Quadruple masking was the most prevalent technique (58.3%), and Iran was the leading country in terms of trial locations (25.0%). These interventions constitute two herbal interventions and nine supplement interventions.

Conclusion

This reveals a diverse range of nutraceuticals, with Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D being predominant in the management of NAFLD. The global distribution of trials highlights the widespread interest in these therapeutics. However, more rigorous, large-scale trials are needed to establish safety, efficacy, and optimal dosages.

Assessing the Highest Level of Evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials in Omega-3 Research

Over the years, there has been heightened interest in the health benefits of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in reducing chronic diseases such as, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, type 2 diabetes, and acute macular degeneration (AMD). Due to inconsistent findings in the evidence, a review to critically examine the plethora of evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in n-3 PUFA research was undertaken. The aim of this review is to study the highest level of evidence and to identify gaps in n-3 PUFA research. RCTs were originally designed for pharmaceutical research and later adopted for nutrition and food-related research. RCTs with active diseases assume that n-3 PUFA will have "drug" like effects, and this high expectation may have led to the inconsistent evidence in the literature. The inconsistency in the literature may be related to varying doses of n-3 PUFA, sources of n-3 PUFA (food vs. supplement; plant vs. marine), type of n-3 PUFA (mixture vs. purified), trial duration, population characteristics, sample size, and genetic variation. For future research, there is a need to distinguish between primary and secondary prevention, and to focus RCTs on primary prevention of chronic diseases by n-3 PUFA which is lacking in the literature.

Profil of omega-3 food intake and its association with socioeconomic status in smoker on online motorcycle drivers

Introduction: Omega-3 fatty acids were found to be effective in reducing inflammation and free radicals caused by air pollution (cigarette smoke), as well as improving lung function. Furthermore, economic conditions can influence a person's food consumption habits. The type of food consumed will certainly affect the amount of omega-3 absorbed by the body, and the quality of food consumed is influenced by socioeconomic status (SES). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine omega-3 intake and its relationship with the socioeconomic status of online motorcycle drivers. Design and Methods: This was an observational study with a cross-sectional method of measuring omega-3 consumption using a 24-hour food recall questionnaire and assessing the mean of omega-3 intake after 3 days. The was conducted from May-August 2020, in Kali Rungkut, Surabaya City, and the subjects were online motorcycle drivers. A Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between omega-3 intake and SES (income and education). Results: There were 49 respondents in this study with most of them having a classification of omega-3 intake at the deficit level (57.14%), and none belonging to the good and more level. There was a significant difference in omega-3 intake on income (p=0.000) and education (p=0.000). Conclusions: Income and education must be prioritized to improve a healthy diet that includes omega-3.

Comprehensive Investigation on Associations between Dietary Intake and Blood Levels of Fatty Acids and Colorectal Cancer Risk

BACKGROUND

Increasingly, studies have discovered that different fatty acids (Fas) are linked to colorectal cancer (CRC) risk.

METHODS

We systematically searched Embase and Medline databases to identify eligible studies that examined the associations of different types of Fas with CRC risk. The effect estimates and their 95% confidence intervals (Cis) were pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the robustness of the study findings.

RESULTS

This study evaluated the associations of 28 dietary and 18 blood Fas with CRC risk by summarizing the most updated evidence from 54 observational and four Mendelian Randomization (MR) studies. The present findings suggested that high dietary intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexanoic acid (DHA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) are related to low risk of CRC, while the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio and trans-FA are related to high risk of CRC. The summary of all cohort studies found that a high intake of SFA and DHA was a protective factor for CRC, and a high intake of the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio was a risk factor for CRC. In the subgroup analysis of cancer subsites, we found that the dietary intake of linoleic acid (LA) and trans-FA are risk factors, while DPA is a protective factor for colon cancer. High dietary DHA intake was associated with a lower risk of rectal cancer, while the dietary n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio was associated with a higher risk of rectal cancer. Meta-analysis of blood FA levels showed a significant reverse association between blood pentadecanoic acid and CRC risk, whilst other blood Fas showed no significant association with CRC risk. All included MR studies showed that high plasma arachidonic acid (AA) is associated with increased CRC risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence on the dietary intake and blood levels of Fas in relation to CRC risk is less consistent. Future studies are needed to investigate how the metabolism of Fas contributes to CRC development.

Promising Sources of Plant-Derived Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: A Narrative Review

(1) Background: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are known for their ability to protect against numerous metabolic disorders. The consumption of oily fish is the main source of PUFAs in human nutrition and is commonly used for supplement production. However, seafood is an overexploited source that cannot be guaranteed to cover the global demands. Furthermore, it is not consumed by everyone for ecological, economic, ethical, geographical and taste reasons. The growing demand for natural dietary sources of PUFAs suggests that current nutritional sources are insufficient to meet global needs, and less and less will be. Therefore, it is crucial to find sustainable sources that are acceptable to all, meeting the world population's needs. (2) Scope: This review aims to evaluate the recent evidence about alternative plant sources of essential fatty acids, focusing on long-chain omega-3 (n-3) PUFAs. (3) Method: A structured search was performed on the PubMed search engine to select available human data from interventional studies using omega-3 fatty acids of non-animal origin. (4) Results: Several promising sources have emerged from the literature, such as algae, microorganisms, plants rich in stearidonic acid and GM plants. However, the costs, acceptance and adequate formulation deserve further investigation.

N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Gut Microbiota

For several decades, studies have reported that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a beneficial role in cardiovascular, immune, cognitive, visual, mental and metabolic health. The mammalian intestine is colonized by microbiota, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, protozoans, and fungi. The composition of the gut microbiota is influenced by long-term dietary habits, disease-associated dysbiosis, and the use of antibiotics. Accumulating evidence suggests a relationship between n-3 PUFAs and the gut microbiota. N-3 PUFAs can alter the diversity and abundance of the gut microbiome, and gut microbiota can also affect the metabolism and absorption of n-3 PUFAs. Changes in the populations of certain gut microbiota can lead to negative effects on inflammation, obesity, and metabolic diseases. An imbalanced consumption of n-3/n-6 PUFAs may lead to gut microbial dysbiosis, in particular, a significant increase in the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, which eventually results in being overweight and obesity. N-3 PUFA deficiency disrupts the microbiota community in metabolic disorders. In addition, accumulating evidence indicates that the interplay between n-3 PUFAs, gut microbiota, and immune reactions helps to maintain the integrity of the intestinal wall and interacts with host immune cells. Supplementation with n-3 PUFAs may be an effective therapeutic measure to restore gut microbiota homeostasis and correct metabolic disturbances associated with modern chronic diseases. In particular, marine extracts from seaweed contain a considerable dry weight of lipids, including n-3 PUFAs such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20: 5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22: 6). This review describes how gut microbiota function in intestinal health, how n-3 PUFAs interact with the gut microbiota, and the potential of n-3 PUFAs to influence the gut-brain axis, acting through gut microbiota composition.

Upcycling Fish By-Products into Bioactive Fish Oil: The Suitability of Microwave-Assisted Extraction

The seafood industry is often left out of the food waste discussion, but this sector is no exception, as it generates large amounts of various by-products. This study aimed to explore the potential of the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique to obtain high-quality oil from fish by-products. The independent variables, which were time (1-30 min), microwave power (50-1000 W), and solid/liquid ratio (70-120 g/L) were combined in a 20-run experimental design coupled with the response surface methodology (RSM) for process optimization. The obtained oil yield values were fitted to a quadratic equation to build the theoretical models, which were statistically validated based on statistical criteria and used to predict the optimal MAE condition. The oil yields were significantly affected by the three independent variables through linear, quadratic, and/or interactive effects. Compared to a conventional Soxhlet extraction (SE), the optimal MAE conditions allowed between 60 and 100% of oil to be recovered in less than 19 min and with less solvent consumption. The fatty acid profiles of the oils obtained through SE and optimized MAE were characterized by gas chromatography with flame ionizing detection (GC-FID) after a derivatization process. These oils were constituted mainly of health, beneficial unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic, docosahexaenoic (DHA), linoleic, and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids, which were not affected (p > 0.05) by the extraction methods. Interestingly, the oils obtained through MAE showed the best microbial growth inhibition results may have been due to thermolabile compounds, preserved via this unconventional non-thermal method. The oils also exhibited anti-inflammatory effects via nitric oxide production inhibition and cytotoxic potential especially, against breast and gastric adenocarcinoma cells. However, the threshold of toxicity should be further investigated. Overall, this work emerges as a future-oriented approach to upcycling fish by-products into high-quality oils that can be used in the formulation of pet food and other products.

Effects of Dietary Omega-3 Enrichment on the Chemical Composition and the Pathogenic Microbiota of Ovine Milk

The demand for ovine milk and ovine dairy products is constantly increasing due to their exceptional sensorial characteristics and their health benefits for consumers. However, dairy fat content and composition are of particular concern for consumers as well as the medical community, as there are risk factors for coronary disease, diabetes mellitus, cancer, and other serious diseases. For this reason, attempts have been made to control/regulate the fat composition of ovine milk by modifying sheep dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In this experimental trial, a group of sheep were fed for 30 days a diet enriched in flaxseeds and lupines, feed ingredients rich in omega-3 fatty acids, aiming to investigate the effects on fat composition and the microbiota of ovine milk. Chemical analysis of the collected milk showed that the omega-3 and omega-6 content was increased. On the opposite, the atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes decreased. Of importance was the semi-protective effect on the udder by the increased omega-3 dietary intake, as depicted by its impact on the biodiversity of the pathogenic microbiota. These findings suggest that ovine milk could be modified under specific conditions to be more appropriate for the consumption by people belonging to high-risk groups for various diseases.

Health Benefits, Food Applications, and Sustainability of MI-Croalgae-Derived N-3 Pufa

Today’s consumers are increasingly aware of the beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA in preventing, delaying, and intervening various diseases, such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, depression, and many other ailments. The role of n-3 PUFA on aging and cognitive function is also one of the hot topics in basic research, product development, and clinical applications. For decades, n-3 PUFA, especially EPA and DHA, have been supplied by fish oil and seafood. With the continuous increase of global population, awareness about the health benefits of n-3 PUFA, and socioeconomic improvement worldwide, the supply chain is facing increasing challenges of insufficient production. In this regard, microalgae have been well considered as promising sources of n-3 PUFA oil to mitigate the supply shortages. The use of microalgae to produce n-3 PUFA-rich oils has been explored for over two decades and some species have already been used commercially to produce n-3 PUFA, in particular EPA- and/or DHA-rich oils. In addition to n-3 PUFA, microalgae biomass contains many other high value biomolecules, which can be used in food, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical ingredient, and feedstock. The present review covers the health benefits of n-3 PUFA, EPA, and DHA, with particular attention given to the various approaches attempted in the nutritional interventions using EPA and DHA alone or combined with other nutrients and bioactive compounds towards improved health conditions in people with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. It also covers the applications of microalgae n-3 PUFA in food and dietary supplement sectors and the economic and environmental sustainability of using microalgae as a platform for n-3 PUFA-rich oil production.

Changing of Balanced Nutrition Behavior and the Immune System during the New Normal Era of COVID-19 in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

LATAR BELAKANG : Kasus COVID-19 di Indonesia mengalami peningkatan selama era New Normal COVID-19. Selain menerapkan protokol kesehatan, gizi seimbang untuk mendukung daya tahan tubuh sangat penting untuk mencegah dampak lanjutan dari kontraksi COVID-19. TUJUAN: Penelitian ini mengidentifikasi pola perilaku gizi seimbang sebelum dan selama penerapan konsep New Normal di Sulawesi Selatan.  METODE : Survei potong lintang terhadap penduduk berusia 15 tahun ke atas yang tinggal di Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan dilakukan pada bulan November hingga Desember 2021 dengan menggunakan kuesioner online. Survei dilakukan melalui WhatsApp dengan menyebarkan tautan kuesioner. Pengolahan dan analisis data dilakukan dengan software SPSS v.16.0. Perbedaan pola gizi seimbang sebelum dan selama era New Normal dianalisis menggunakan uji Wilcoxon Signed-Rank dengan taraf signifikansi 0,05.   HASIL : Kajian menunjukkan bahwa pola konsumsi masyarakat menurun secara signifikan selama penerapan konsep New Normal, terutama komposisi makanan (p=0,000), makanan hewani (p=0,000), sayuran (p=0,000), buah (p=0,000), dan susu (p=0,000).  KESIMPULAN : Penerapan perilaku New Normal menurunkan kesadaran masyarakat dalam mengkonsumsi gizi seimbang di Sulawesi Selatan. Dengan demikian mungkin berkontribusi pada penurunan sistem kekebalan tubuh.

Effect of Concentration of Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) and Duration of Administration on Fatty Acid Profile, and Oxidative Stability of Pork Meat

Flaxseed is a common ingredient used for livestock feed. The aim of this work was to study the effect of a diet supplemented with flaxseed at 5% and 10% concentrations in the intervals of 3 and 6 weeks prior slaughter on fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of pork meat. Meat samples were collected after slaughter from each animal (five groups, n = 6). Samples of the musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD) and the musculus gluteobiceps (MGB) were selected. Chemical composition, fatty acid profile and oxidative stability during the storage of meat under chilling conditions (4 °C, 7 days) was analyzed. The addition of flaxseed significantly affected the composition of fatty acid profile and the shelf life of the produced meat. The fat content was changed in the experimental groups with 10% flaxseed supplementation (10.84% in MGB and 9.56% MLD) versus the control group. Despite the different concentrations of flaxseed, the best EPA/AA ratio was observed in the experimental groups fed with flaxseed supplementation for 3 weeks. The worst oxidative stability of meat samples (p < 0.05) was recorded in the experimental groups with the addition of flaxseed for 6 weeks, which was related to higher PUFA content in samples of the experimental groups and higher susceptibility of PUFAs to lipid oxidation. The oxidative stability of meat in the experimental group fed 5% flaxseed supplementation for 3 weeks was not affected.

Biochemical and Metabolical Pathways Associated with Microbiota-Derived Butyrate in Colorectal Cancer and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Implications: A Narrative Review

Knowledge regarding the influence of the microbial community in cancer promotion or protection has expanded even more through the study of bacterial metabolic products and how they can modulate cancer risk, which represents an extremely challenging approach for the relationship between intestinal microbiota and colorectal cancer (CRC). This review discusses research progress on the effect of bacterial dysbiosis from a metabolic point of view, particularly on the biochemical mechanisms of butyrate, one of the main short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties in CRC. Increased daily intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) significantly increases the density of bacteria that are known to produce butyrate. Omega-3 PUFAs have been proposed as a treatment to prevent gut microbiota dysregulation and lower the risk or progression of CRC.

Polyphenols and ω-3 PUFAs: Beneficial Outcomes to Obesity and Its Related Metabolic Diseases

Obesity is associated with the leading causes of death in the worldwide. On the other hand, the intake of vegetables, fruits and fish is related to the reduction of obesity and other metabolic syndromes. This review aims to highlight the role of ingestion of polyphenols and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) in reducing obesity and related metabolic diseases (RMDs). The consumption of vegetables, fish and by-products rich in polyphenols and α-linolenic acid (ALA), as well as oils rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are associated with a decrease in obesity and its RMDs in consumers. Furthermore, we discussed the adequate amount of extracts, powder, polyphenols, ω-3 PUFAs administrated in animal models and human subjects, and the relevant outcomes obtained. Thus, we appeal to the research institutions and departments of the Ministries of Health in each country to develop a food education joint project to help schools, businesses and families with the aim of reducing obesity and other metabolic diseases.

Increased lipogenesis is critical for self-renewal and growth of breast cancer stem cells: Impact of omega-3 fatty acids

Aberrant lipid metabolism has recently been recognized as a new hallmark of malignancy, but the characteristics of fatty acid metabolism in breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) and potential interventions targeting this pathway remain to be addressed. Here, by using the in vitro BCSC models, mammosphere‐derived MCF‐7 cells and HMLE‐Twist‐ER cells, we found that the cells with stem cell‐like properties exhibited a very distinct profile of fatty acid metabolism compared with that of their parental cancer cells, characterized by increased lipogenesis, especially the activity of stearoyl‐CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) responsible for the production of monounsaturated fatty acids, and augmented synthesis and utilization of the omega‐6 arachidonic acid (AA). Suppression of SCD1 activity by either enzyme inhibitors or small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown strikingly limited self‐renewal and growth of the BCSC, suggesting a key role for SCD1 in BCSC proliferation. Furthermore, elevated levels of SCD1 and other lipogenic enzymes were observed in human breast cancer tissues relative to the noncancer tissues from the same patients and correlated with the pathological grades. Interestingly, treatment of BCSC with omega‐3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, effectively downregulated the expression of the lipogenic enzymes and markedly suppressed BCSC self‐renewal and growth. Dietary supplementation of nude mice bearing BCSC‐derived tumors with omega‐3 fatty acids also significantly reduced their tumor load. These findings have demonstrated that increased lipogenesis is critical for self‐renewal and growth of BCSC, and that omega‐3 fatty acids are effective in targeting this pathway to exert their anticancer effect.

Effect of Oil Extract from Microalgae (Schizochytrium sp.) on the Viability and Apoptosis of Human Osteosarcoma Cells

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor type that starts in bone and occurs most frequently in adolescents. Traditional techniques are insufficient, especially for metastatic ones. As alternative treatment techniques, natural products are worthy of examining due to being safe and innovative. Essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, have various positive effects on human health and growth. In addition, some PUFAs show anti-cancer activity by inducing apoptosis, specifically in cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE

Here, the study aims to investigate the time and dose-dependent effects of oil extract from Schizochytrium sp. against the osteosarcoma cell line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human Fetal Osteoblast Cells (hFOB) and osteosarcoma cells (SAOS-2) were treated with different concentrations of fatty acid samples. GC-FID was performed for fatty acid composition analysis of Schizochytrium sp. MTT-cell viability and Annexin V-apoptosis assays were performed to investigate the time and dose-dependent effects of the samples on cell lines.

RESULTS

The oil extract sample has a specific activity against the SAOS-2 cancer line and decreases cell proliferation, especially at high dose treatments. Apoptosis assay results indicate that the oil extract sample causes a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells in the SAOS-2 cell line (71.7% of SAOS-2 cells), which shows its selective activity against bone cancer cell line as a natural anti-cancer molecule.

CONCLUSION

It was observed that Schizochytrium sp. extract has a time and dose-dependent ability to induce apoptosis, specifically in SAOS-2 cells.

The efficacy of probiotics and/or n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids intervention on maternal prenatal and postnatal depressive and anxiety symptoms among overweight and obese women

BACKGROUND

Maternal depression and anxiety may endanger well-being of both mother and child. We investigated the efficacy of probiotics and/or fish oil (FO) in modifying pre- and postnatal depressive and anxiety symptoms. Symptom trajectories were identified and the influence of lifestyle factors on symptoms was evaluated.

METHODS

Overweight women (n = 439) were randomized to intervention groups (probiotics+FO, probiotics+placebo, FO+placebo, placebo+placebo) from early pregnancy until six months postpartum, and assessed for depressive and anxiety symptoms with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Anxiety subscale of Symptoms Checklist (SCL-90) at early and late pregnancy and three, six and 12 months postpartum. Latent growth mixture modeling was used to model the symptom courses. Dietary quality and physical activity were assessed with validated indices.

RESULTS

Symptom scores were generally low. Statistically significant intervention effect was seen during pregnancy (p = 0.017): EPDS scores increased (by 1.11 points) in the FO+probiotics group and decreased (by 0.85 points) in the FO+placebo group. At 12 months postpartum, FO+placebo group had lower EPDS scores compared to probiotics+placebo group (p = 0.039). No differences in SCL scores were seen in response to the intervention. Irrespective of the intervention, three depressive and two anxiety symptoms trajectories were identified. Dietary quality correlated negatively with depressive symptoms in early pregnancy and six months postpartum and with anxiety symptoms in early pregnancy. Perinatal events including mother-reported colic were related to symptoms.

LIMITATIONS

Secondary outcomes of the primary trial.

CONCLUSIONS

Intervention had a modest impact on depressive symptoms. Diet and obstetric events were associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Total long-chain polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids level is an independent predictive factor of breast cancer multifocality in women with positive hormone-receptors tumors

In a previous pilot study, we showed that polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids of breast adipose tissues were associated with breast cancer multifocality. In the present study, we investigated biochemical, clinical and histological factors associated with breast cancer focality in a large cohort of women with positive hormone-receptors tumors. One hundred sixty-one consecutive women presenting with positive hormone-receptors breast cancer underwent breast-imaging procedures including a Magnetic Resonance Imaging prior to treatment. Breast adipose tissue specimens were collected during surgery of tumors. A biochemical profile of breast adipose tissue fatty acids was established by gas chromatography. Clinicopathologic characteristics were correlated with multifocality. We assessed whether these factors were predictive of breast cancer focality. We found that tumor size (OR = 1.06 95%CI [1.02-1.09], p < 0.001) and decreased levels in breast adipose tissue of long-chain polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids (OR = 0.11 95%CI [0.01-0.98], p = 0.03), were independent predictive factors of multifocality. Low levels of long chain polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids in breast adipose tissue appear to contribute to breast cancer multifocality. The present results reinforce the link between dietary habits and breast cancer clinical presentation.

Microbial production of omega-3 fatty acids: an overview

The essence of appropriate nutritional intake on a regular basis has a great impact in maintaining fundamental physiological functions and the body metabolism. Considering how pivotal maintaining a nourishing fat diet is to human health, Omega-3 fatty acids have gained a lot of attention in recent times. Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA are considered as essential fatty acids (EFAs) offering enormous nutritional benefits: from playing a major role in the prevention and treatment of a number of human diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders and neurological disorders, to having anti-inflammatory properties, to providing joint support, etc. Hence, their incorporation into our daily diet is of great importance. Also, both EPA and DHA have been shown to be therapeutically significant in treating several infectious diseases. EFAs were initially thought to be marine in origin, produced by fishes. Consequentially, this led to the increase in the industrial extraction of fish oils for meeting the commercial need for of n-3-rich dietary supplements. Although fish oil supplementation met almost all of the dietary demand for EFAs, they did come with a fair share of drawbacks such as undesirable odour and flavour, heavy metal contamination, extinction of fish species, etc. Oleaginous micro-organisms are a promising alternative for the production of a more sustainable, consistent and quality production of n-3 FAs. Thus, the entire review focuses on understanding the eco-friendlier production of n-3 FAs by micro-organisms.

Immunometabolism, Micronutrients, and Bariatric Surgery: The Use of Transcriptomics and Microbiota-Targeted Therapies

BACKGROUND

Obesity is associated with the gut microbiota and decreased micronutrient status. Bariatric surgery is a recommended therapy for obesity. It can positively affect the composition of the gut bacteria but also disrupt absorption of nutrients. Low levels of micronutrients can affect metabolic processes, like glycolysis, TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, that are associated with the immune system also known as immunometabolism.

METHODS

MEDLINE, PUBMED, and Google Scholar were searched. Articles involving gut microbiome, micronutrient deficiency, gut-targeted therapies, transcriptome analysis, micronutrient supplementation, and bariatric surgery were included.

RESULTS

Studies show that micronutrients play a pivotal role in the intestinal immune system and regulating immunometabolism. Research demonstrates that gut-targeting therapies may improve the microbiome health for bariatric surgery populations. There is limited research that examines the role of micronutrients in modulating the gut microbiota among the bariatric surgery population.

CONCLUSIONS

Investigations are needed to understand the influence that micronutrient deficiencies have on the gut, particularly immunometabolism. Nutritional transcriptomics shows great potential in providing this type of analysis to develop gut-modulating therapies as well as more personalized nutrition recommendations for bariatric surgery patients.

Beyond Fish Oil Supplementation: The Effects of Alternative Plant Sources of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids upon Lipid Indexes and Cardiometabolic Biomarkers-An Overview

Cardiovascular diseases remain a global challenge, and lipid-associated biomarkers can predict cardiovascular events. Extensive research on cardiovascular benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFAs) is geared towards fish oil supplementation and fish-rich diets. Nevertheless, vegetarianism and veganism are becoming more popular across all segments of society, due to reasons as varied as personal, ethical and religious values, individual preferences and environment-related principles, amongst others. Due to the essentiality of PUFAs, plant sources of n3-PUFAs warrant further consideration. In this review, we have critically appraised the efficacy of plant-derived n3-PUFAs from foodstuffs and supplements upon lipid profile and selected cardiometabolic markers. Walnuts and flaxseed are the most common plant sources of n3-PUFAs, mainly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and feature the strongest scientific rationale for applicability into clinical practice. Furthermore, walnuts and flaxseed are sources of fibre, potassium, magnesium, and non-essential substances, including polyphenols and sterols, which in conjunction are known to ameliorate cardiovascular metabolism. ALA levels in rapeseed and soybean oils are only slight when compared to flaxseed oil. Spirulina and Chlorella, biomasses of cyanobacteria and green algae, are important sources of n3-PUFAs; however, their benefits upon cardiometabolic markers are plausibly driven by their antioxidant potential combined with their n3-PUFA content. In humans, ALA is not sufficiently bioconverted into eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. However, evidence suggests that plant sources of ALA are associated with favourable cardiometabolic status. ALA supplementation, or increased consumption of ALA-rich foodstuffs, combined with reduced omega-6 (n6) PUFAs intake, could improve the n3/n6 ratio and improve cardiometabolic and lipid profile.

Acyl-CoA synthetases as regulators of brain phospholipid acyl-chain diversity

Each individual cell-type is defined by its distinct morphology, phenotype, molecular and lipidomic profile. The importance of maintaining cell-specific lipidomic profiles is exemplified by the numerous diseases, disorders, and dysfunctional outcomes that occur as a direct result of altered lipidome. Therefore, the mechanisms regulating cellular lipidome diversity play a role in maintaining essential biological functions. The brain is an organ particularly rich in phospholipids, the main constituents of cellular membranes. The phospholipid acyl-chain profile of membranes in the brain is rather diverse due in part to the high degree of cellular heterogeneity. These membranes and the acyl-chain composition of their phospholipids are highly regulated, but the mechanisms that confer this tight regulation are incompletely understood. A family of enzymes called acyl-CoA synthetases (ACSs) stands at a pinnacle step allowing influence over cellular acyl-chain selection and subsequent metabolic flux. ACSs perform the initial reaction for cellular fatty acid metabolism by ligating a Coenzyme A to a fatty acid which both traps a fatty acid within a cell and activates it for metabolism. The ACS family of enzymes is large and diverse consisting of 25-26 family members that are nonredundant, each with unique distribution across and within cell types, and differential fatty acid substrate preferences. Thus, ACSs confer a critical intracellular fatty acid selecting step in a cell-type dependent manner providing acyl-CoA moieties that serve as essential precursors for phospholipid synthesis and remodeling, and therefore serve as a key regulator of cellular membrane acyl-chain compositional diversity. Here we will discuss how the contribution of individual ACSs towards brain lipid metabolism has only just begun to be elucidated and discuss the possibilities for how ACSs may differentially regulate brain lipidomic diversity.

Kerja Harmoni Zat Gizi dalam Meningkatkan Imunitas Tubuh Terhadap Covid-19: Mini Review

ABSTRACTBackground: The Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia has been running since March 2020. Efforts to break the chain of transmission of the disease caused by the new SARS-CoV 2 coronavirus are by avoiding contact by practicing social & physical distancing and improving personal hygiene, and increase immunity or body defense against the corona virus.Purpose: This article discusses the role of macro nutrients and micronutrients that have the potential to increase immunity such as omega-3 fatty acids, several water soluble vitamins such as vitamin B6, vitamin C, as well as fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E. as well as several minerals such as Fe, Zn, Se. The mechanisms of innate immunity and adaptive immunity that involve these nutrients will be discussed in depth, as well as how the cellular mechanism fights the corona virus.Discussion: The mechanism for the entry of the corona virus into the cell is through a mechanism called endocytosis, in which the virus is captured by the receptors on the surface of the cell, then drawn into the cell. Spike protein (protein S) facilitates the entry of viruses into target cells, especially lung cells.Conclusion The body's defense mechanisms against the corona virus are: 1) strengthening the body's frontline defenses or innate immunity; 2) stimulates the production of IgM and IgG immunoglobulins in the circulation; 3) blocking the virus from binding to the ACE-2 receptor; 4) reduce the intensity of cytokine storms; 5) reduce the speed of virus replication. ABSTRAKLatar Belakang: Pandemi Covid-19 di Indonesia telah berjalan sejak bulan Maret 2020. Upaya untuk memutus rantai penularan penyakit yang disebabkan oleh virus corona jenis baru SARS-CoV 2 adalah dengan menghidari kontak dengan cara mempraktekkan social & physical distancing dan meningkatkan kebersihan diri, serta meningkatkan imunitas atau pertahanan tubuh terhadap virus corona. Tujuan: Artikel ini membahas peran zat gizi makro dan zat gizi mikro yang berpotensi untuk meningkatkan imunitas seperti asam lemak omega-3, beberapa vitamin larut air seperti vitamin B6, vitamin C, juga vitamin larut lemak seperti vitamin A, vitamin D dan vitamin E, serta beberapa mineral seperti Fe, Zn, Se. Mekanisme innate immunity dan adaptive immunity yang melibatkan zat gizi tersebut akan dibahas secara mendalam, serta bagaimana mekanisme selular melawan virus corona. Ulasan: Mekanisme masuknya virus corona ke dalam sel adalah melalui mekanisme yang disebut endositosis, yaitu virus ditangkap oleh reseptor yang terdapat di permukaan sel, kemudian ditarik masuk ke dalam sel. Spike protein (protein S) bertugas memfasilitasi masuknya virus ke dalam sel target, terutama sel paru.Kesimpulan Mekanisme pertahanan tubuh melawan virus corona adalah: 1) menguatkan pertahanan tubuh garis depan atau innate immunity; 2) menstimulasi produksi immunoglobulin IgM dan IgG di dalam sirkulasi; 3) memblokir agar virus tidak terikat oleh receptor ACE-2; 4) menurunkan intensitas badai sitokin; 5) menurunkan kecepatan replikasi virus.

ω-3 and ω-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Obesity and Cancer

Recently, nutraceutical bioactive compounds in foods have been discovered for their potential health benefits regarding the prevention of chronic disorders, such as cancer, and inflammatory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3PUFAs), including alpha-linolenic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid, are mostly attractive. They are available for the customers worldwide from commonly used foods and/or as components of commercial food supplements. The anti-inflammatory and hypotriglyceridemic effects of these fatty acids are well known, whereas pro-inflammatory properties have been recognized in their dietary counterparts, the ω-6PUFAs. Both ω-3 and ω-6PUFAs contribute to the production of lipid mediators such as endocannabinoids that are notably involved in control of food intake, energy sensing, and food-related disorders. In this review, we present ω-3 and ω-6PUFAs and their derivatives, endocannabinoids; discuss the anti-obesity effects of ω-3PUFAs; their roles in inflammation and colorectal cancer development; and how their action can be co-preventative and co-therapeutic.

Recent progress in the use of functional foods for older adults: A narrative review

The number and proportion of older adults are increasing globally, and it is predicted that in 2020, there will be 723 million people worldwide aged 66 and older. In recent decades, numerous studies showed that healthy eating is positively associated with better nutritional status and quality of life, and the decreased incidence of noncommunicable diseases. As older adults become health conscious, the demand for foods and beverages rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds has increased. The increased demand for healthy food stimulated a recent rapid increase in designing, producing, and marketing functional foods to prevent or correct nutrient deficiencies and to improve the nutritional status of older adults. These functional products contain and/or are enriched with dietary fiber; omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; phytoestrogens; polyphenols; carotenoids such as alpha- and beta-carotene; lutein and zeaxanthin; pre-, pro-, and synbiotics; and plant sterols and stanols. A limited number of publications have thoroughly addressed the effect of functional foods on the nutritional status of older adults. The goal of this review was to review existing recent research on the role of functional foods in healthy and active aging.

Evaluation of the Effect of Fish Oil Alone and in Combination with a Proprietary Chromium Complex on Endothelial Dysfunction, Systemic Inflammation and Lipid Profile in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of fish oil alone and with an adjunct, a proprietary chromium complex (PCC), on cardiovascular parameters - endothelial dysfunction, lipid profile, systemic inflammation and glycosylated hemoglobin - in a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study in type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this randomized, double-blind, parallel group study, 59 subjects in three groups completed the study: Group A, fish oil 2000 mg; Group B, fish oil 2000 mg + PCC 10 mg (200 µg of Cr³⁺); and Group C, fish oil 2000 mg + PCC 20 mg (400 µg of Cr³⁺) daily for 12 weeks (2000 mg of fish oil contained 600 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and 400 mg of docosahexaenoic acid [DHA], the omega-3 fatty acids). Endothelial function, by estimating reflection index (RI), biomarkers of oxidative stress (nitric oxide [NO], malondialdehyde [MDA], glutathione [GSH]) and inflammatory biomarkers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP], intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1], vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1], endothelin-1) were evaluated at baseline, and 4 and 12 weeks. Lipid profile, platelet aggregation and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c) were tested at baseline and 12 weeks. Any reported adverse drug reactions were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 8.

RESULTS

The present study shows that fish oil by itself, at a dose of 2000 mg (600 mg of EPA + 400 mg of DHA) per day, led to significant, but only modest, improvement in cardiovascular parameters (RI from -2.38±0.75 to -3.92±0.60, MDA from 3.77±0.16 to 3.74±0.16 nM/mL, NO from 30.60±3.18 to 32.12±3.40 µM/L, GSH from 568.93±5.91 to 583.95±6.53 µM/L; p≤0.0001), including triglyceride levels. However, when PCC was added to fish oil, especially at the 20 mg dose, there were highly significant improvements in all the parameters tested (RI from -2.04±0.79 to -8.73±1.36, MDA from 3.67±0.39 to 2.89±0.34 nM/mL, NO from 28.98±2.93 to 40.01±2.53 µM/L, GSH from 553.82±8.18 to 677.99±10.19 µM/L; p≤0.0001), including the lipid profile. It is noteworthy that the triglycerides were decreased significantly by addition of 20 mg of PCC although the dose of fish oil was only 2 g/day and the baseline triglyceride levels were only about 200 mg/dL. Fish oil alone did not significantly decrease the HbA1c, whereas the addition of 20 mg of PCC did.

CONCLUSION

Addition of PCC, especially at 20 mg dose, significantly improves the efficacy of fish oil in addressing cardiovascular risk factors compared to fish oil given alone.

A combination of LCPUFA ameliorates airway inflammation in asthmatic mice by promoting pro-resolving effects and reducing adverse effects of EPA

Lipid mediators derived from omega (n)-3 and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) play key roles in bronchoconstriction, airway inflammation, and resolution processes in asthma. This study compared the effects of dietary supplementation with either a combination of LCPUFAs or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) alone to investigate whether the combination has superior beneficial effects on the outcome of asthmatic mice. Mice were sensitized with house dust mite (HDM) extract, and subsequently supplemented with either a combination of LCPUFAs or EPA alone in a recall asthma model. After the final HDM and LCPUFA administration, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), bronchoalveolar lavages, and lung histochemistry were examined. Lipid mediator profiles were determined by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). The LCPUFA combination reduced AHR, eosinophilic inflammation, and inflammatory cytokines (IL-5, IFN-γ, and IL-6) in asthmatic mice, whereas EPA enhanced inflammation. The combination of LCPUFAs was more potent in downregulating EPA-derived LTB₅ and LTC₅ and in supporting DHA-derived RvD1 and RvD4 (2.22-fold and 2.58-fold higher levels) than EPA alone. Ex vivo experiments showed that LTB₅ contributes to granulocytes' migration and M1-polarization in monocytes. Consequently, the LCPUFA combination ameliorated airway inflammation by inhibiting adverse effects of EPA and promoting pro-resolving effects supporting the lipid mediator-dependent resolution program.

Calanus oil in the treatment of obesity-related low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis

Calanus oil (COil) is a natural product extracted from marine zooplankton Calanus finmarchicus found in the North Atlantic Ocean. This oil is rich in wax esters of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and has been projected as the best alternative to fish oil because its production cannot keep pace with the demands from the growing markets. The COil is the only commercially available marine source of wax esters, whereas classic ω-3 PUFAs comes from triglycerides, ethyl esters, and phospholipids. It has, in recent decades, been seen that there is an unprecedented rise in the use of PUFA-rich oil in the aquaculture industry. A simultaneous rise in the demand of PUFAs is also observed in the health care industry, where PUFAs are suggested preventing various disorders related to lifestyles such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic low-grade inflammation, atherosclerosis, and brain and cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). In this review, we will explore the metabolic aspects related to the use of COil as an antioxidant, anticholesterinemic, and anti-inflammatory dietary source and its impact on the prevention and therapy of obesity-related metabolic disorders.

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Prevent Toxoplasma gondii Infection by Inducing Autophagy via AMPK Activation

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3-PUFAs) have potential protective activity in a variety of infectious diseases, but their actions and underlying mechanisms in Toxoplasma gondii infection remain poorly understood. Here, we report that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) robustly induced autophagy in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Treatment of T. gondii-infected macrophages with DHA resulted in colocalization of Toxoplasma parasitophorous vacuoles with autophagosomes and reduced intracellular survival of T. gondii. The autophagic and anti-Toxoplasma effects induced by DHA were mediated by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling. Importantly, BMDMs isolated from Fat-1 transgenic mice, a well-known animal model capable of synthesizing ω3-PUFAs from ω6-PUFAs, showed increased activation of autophagy and AMPK, leading to reduced intracellular survival of T. gondii when compared with wild-type BMDMs. Moreover, Fat-1 transgenic mice exhibited lower cyst burden in the brain following infection with the avirulent strain ME49 than wild-type mice. Collectively, our results revealed mechanisms by which endogenous ω3-PUFAs and DHA control T. gondii infection and suggest that ω3-PUFAs might serve as therapeutic candidate to prevent toxoplasmosis and infection with other intracellular protozoan parasites.

Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Intake of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Switzerland

Population-based data suggest that high intake of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may be beneficial in a variety of health conditions. It is likely that mainly those patients with preexisting n-3 deficiency are those that benefit most from n-3 fatty acid supplementation. Therefore, for targeted interventions, a fast and reliable screening tool for n-3 PUFA intake is necessary. Thus, the aim of this project was to adapt and validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for n-3 PUFA intake in Switzerland while using as references the following: (1) 7-day food records (FR), and (2) n-3 fatty acid composition of red blood cells (RBC). We recruited 46 healthy adults for the first part of the study and 152 for the second. We used the dietary software EBISpro for the analysis of n-3 PUFA intake. RBC fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Using correlation analysis, we found a moderate significant association between FFQ and FR for α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), docosahexanoic acid (DHA), and total n-3 fatty acids (all r between 0.523 and 0.586, all p < 0.001). Bland Altman analysis further showed good agreement between the two methods and no proportional bias. Correlations between FFQ and RBC fatty acid composition were also moderate for EPA and DHA (r = 0.430 and r = 0.605, p < 0.001), but weaker for ALA and total n-3 (r = 0.314 and r = 0.211, p < 0.01). The efficacy of the FFQ to classify individuals into the same or adjacent quartile of RBC PUFA content ranged between 70% and 87% for the different fatty acids. In conclusion, we showed that the Swiss n-3 PUFA FFQ is a valid tool to assess dietary n-3 PUFA intake, especially DHA and EPA, to determine population groups at risk for low intake.

Multi-omic analysis in transgenic mice implicates omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid imbalance as a risk factor for chronic disease

An unbalanced increase in dietary omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and decrease in omega-3 (n-3) PUFA in the Western diet coincides with the global rise in chronic diseases. Whether n-6 and n-3 PUFA oppositely contribute to the development of chronic disease remains controversial. By using transgenic mice capable of synthesizing PUFA to eliminate confounding factors of diet, we show here that alteration of the tissue n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio leads to correlated changes in the gut microbiome and fecal and serum metabolites. Transgenic mice able to overproduce n-6 PUFA and achieve a high tissue n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio exhibit an increased risk for metabolic diseases and cancer, whereas mice able to convert n-6 to n-3 PUFA, and that have a lower n-6/n-3 ratio, show healthy phenotypes. Our study demonstrates that n-6 PUFA may be harmful in excess and suggests the importance of a low tissue n-6/n-3 ratio in reducing the risk for chronic diseases.

A Role for Lipid Mediators in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

In spite of therapeutic improvements in the treatment of different hematologic malignancies, the prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated solely with conventional induction and consolidation chemotherapy remains poor, especially in association with high risk chromosomal or molecular aberrations. Recent discoveries describe the complex interaction of immune effector cells, as well as the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in the development, maintenance and progression of AML. Lipids, and in particular omega-3 as well as omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to play a vital role as signaling molecules of immune processes in numerous benign and malignant conditions. While the majority of research in cancer has been focused on the role of lipid mediators in solid tumors, some data are showing their involvement also in hematologic malignancies. There is a considerable amount of evidence that AML cells are targetable by innate and adaptive immune mechanisms, paving the way for immune therapy approaches in AML. In this article we review the current data showing the lipid mediator and lipidome patterns in AML and their potential links to immune mechanisms.

A specific combined long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation reverses fatty acid profile alterations in a mouse model of chronic asthma

Background

The immune-modulating potential of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) based on their conversion into lipid mediators in inflammatory situations has been proven by several studies. Respecting the immune-modulative role of lipid mediators in bronchoconstriction, airway inflammation and resolution of inflammatory processes, LCPUFAs play an important role in asthma. To design a disease-specific and most beneficial LCPUFA supplementation strategy, it is essential to understand how asthma alters LCPUFA profiles. Therefore, this study characterizes the alterations of LCPUFA profiles induced by allergic asthma. In addition, this study explores whether a simple eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) alone or a specific combined LCPUFA supplementation could restore imbalanced LCPUFA profiles.

Methods

Mice were sensitized with a daily dose of 40 μg house dust mite (HDM)-extract in a recall model and fed with either normal diet, EPA or a specific combined (sc)-LCPUFA supplementation containing EPA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), γ -linolenic acid (GLA) and stearidonic acid (SDA) for 24 days. After recall with HDM, mice were sacrificed and blood and lung tissue were collected. Fatty acid profiles were determined in plasma, blood cells and lung cells of asthmatic mice by capillary gas-chromatography.

Results

In lung cells of asthmatic mice, arachidonic acid (AA, p < 0.001) and DHA (p < 0.01) were increased while dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA, p < 0.05) was decreased. EPA supplementation increased only EPA (p < 0.001) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, p < 0.001), but neither DGLA nor DHA in lung cells of asthmatic mice. In contrast, a specific combined dietary supplementation containing n-3 and n-6 LCPUFAs could decrease AA (p < 0.001), increase EPA (p < 0.001), DPA (p < 0.001) and DHA (p < 0.01) and could reverse the lack of DGLA (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

In summary, allergic asthma alters LCPUFA profiles in blood and lung tissue. In contrast to the EPA supplementation, the distinct combination of n-3 and n-6 LCPUFAs restored the LCPUFA profiles in lung tissue of asthmatic mice completely. Subsequently, sc-LCPUFA supplementation is likely to be highly supportive in limiting and resolving the inflammatory process in asthma.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12944-018-0947-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Fatty acids: Adiposity and breast cancer chemotherapy, a bad synergy?

Globally, breast cancer continues to be a major concern in women's health. Lifestyle related risk factors, specifically excess adipose tissue (adiposity) has reached epidemic proportions and has been identified as a major risk factor in the development of breast cancer. Dysfunctional adipose tissue has evoked research focusing on its association with metabolic-related conditions, breast cancer risk and progression. Adipose dysfunction in coordination with immune cells and inflammation, are responsible for accelerated cell growth and survival of cancer cells. Recently, evidence also implicates adiposity as a potential risk factor for chemotherapy resistance. Chemotherapeutic agents have been shown to negatively impact adipose tissue. Since adipose tissue is a major storage site for fatty acids, it is not unlikely that these negative effects may disrupt adipose tissue homeostasis. It is therefore argued that fatty acid composition may be altered due to the chemotherapeutic pharmacokinetics, which in turn could have severe health related outcomes. The underlying molecular mechanisms elucidating the effects of fatty acid composition in adiposity-linked drug resistance are still unclear and under explored. This review focuses on the potential role of adiposity in breast cancer and specifically emphasizes the role of fatty acids in cancer progression and treatment resistance.

Application of metabolomics part II: Focus on fatty acids and their metabolites in healthy adults

Fatty acids (FAs) play critical roles in health and disease. The detection of FA imbalances through metabolomics can provide an overview of an individual’s health status, particularly as regards chronic inflammatory disorders. In this study, we aimed to establish sensitive reference value ranges for targeted plasma FAs in a well-defined population of healthy adults. Plasma samples were collected from 159 participants admitted as outpatients. A total of 24 FAs were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and physiological values and 95% reference intervals were calculated using an approximate method of analysis. The differences among the age groups for the relative levels of stearic acid (P=0.005), the omega-6/omega-3 ratio (P=0.027), the arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid ratio (P<0.001) and the linoleic acid-produced dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (P=0.046) were statistically significant. The majority of relative FA levels were higher in males than in females. The levels of myristic acid (P=0.0170) and docosahexaenoic acid (P=0.033) were signifi-cantly different between the sexes. The reference values for the FAs examined in this study represent a baseline for further studies examining the reproducibility of this methodology and sensitivities for nutrient deficiency detection and investigating the biochemical background of pathological conditions. The application of these values to clinical practice will allow for the discrimination between health and disease and contribute to early prevention and treatment.

Are Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids the Link between the Immune System and the Microbiome towards Modulating Cancer?

Three recent studies revealed synergy between immune-checkpoint inhibitors and the microbiome as a new approach in the treatment of cancer. Incidentally, there has been significant progress in understanding the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in modulating cancer and the immune system, as well as in regulating the microbiome. Inflammation seems to be the common denominator among these seemingly unrelated biological entities-immune system, the microbiome, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs). This commentary presents a hypothesis proposing the existence of an optimal level of LC-PUFAs that nurtures the suitable gut microbiota preventing dysbiosis. This synergy between optimal LC-PUFAs and gut microbiota helps the immune system overcome the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment including enhancing the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. A model on how LC-PUFAs (such as omega(n)-3 and n-6 fatty acids) forms a synergistic triad with the immune system and the microbiome in regulating inflammation to maintain homeostasis is presented. The principles underlying the hypothesis provide a basis in managing and even preventing cancer and other chronic diseases associated with inflammation.

Intra-individual variability of long-chain fatty acids (C12-C24) in plasma and red blood cells

Long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) play key roles in mammalian cells as sources of energy, structural components and signaling molecules. Given their importance in numerous physiological processes, the roles of LCFAs in health and disease have been extensively investigated. In the majority of studies, correlations are established using a single measurement in plasma or red blood cells (RBCs). Although a few studies have reported on reproducibility of individual fatty acid measurements, the comprehensive analysis of intra-individual LCFA variability has not been performed. Therefore, our goal was to determine intra-individual variability for the 22 most abundant LCFAs in both plasma and RBC samples collected from healthy individuals on a regular diet after overnight fasting. The measurements of LCFAs in RBCs were consistent throughout the course of study reflecting long-term nutritional status. In contrast, the results in plasma showed considerable LCFA intra-individual variability, even between fatty acids of the same type. Plasma intra-individual variability for omega-3 alpha-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acids in some participants were >40% whereas the variability of docosahexaenoic acid was consistently <12.8%. Omega-6 linoleic and arachidonic acids also showed low variability in plasma. The results suggest that some LCFAs have less variability and would be more reliable as biomarkers. Reliability of biomarkers can have a profound impact on the research outcomes. Intra-individual variability of LCFAs should be taken into consideration in designing, conducting and interpreting results of clinical studies.

Evaluation of Consumption of Poultry Products Enriched withOmega-3Fatty Acids in Anthropometric, Biochemical, and Cardiovascular Parameters

An alternative for prevention and treatment for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is increasing the intake of bioactive compounds asomega-3. However, several countries as México do not consume regularly foods with high content ofomega-3, mainly fish products due to cultural, social, and economic factors. Therefore, the addition ofomega-3in other food sources could contribute to completing the requirements established of these fatty acids. To evaluate the effect of the consumption of poultry products supplemented withomega-3in healthy population, a phase 1, double blind randomized, controlled parallel-group trial was carried out. After 14 weeks, the supplemented group had an increase in HDL, reducing the atherogenic index. The supplementation withomega-3in poultry products could contribute to a cardioprotective effect. It is necessary to complete studies with a higher evaluation period to determine the improvement in anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters.

The ω-3 fatty acid α-linolenic acid extends Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan via NHR-49/PPARα and oxidation to oxylipins

The dietary intake of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has been linked to a reduction in the incidence of aging-associated disease including cardiovascular disease and stroke. Additionally, long-lived Caenorhabditis elegans glp-1 germ line-less mutant animals show a number of changes in lipid metabolism including the increased production of the ω-3 fatty acid, α-linolenic acid (ALA). Here, we show that the treatment of C. elegans with ALA produces a dose-dependent increase in lifespan. The increased longevity of the glp-1 mutant animals is known to be dependent on both the NHR-49/PPARα and SKN-1/Nrf2 transcription factors, although the mechanisms involved are incompletely understood. We find that ALA treatment increased the lifespan of wild-type worms and that these effects required both of these transcription factors. Specifically, NHR-49 was activated by ALA to promote the expression of genes involved in the β-oxidation of lipids, whereas SKN-1 is not directly activated by ALA, but instead, the exposure of ALA to air results in the oxidation of ALA to a group of compounds termed oxylipins. At least one of the oxylipins activates SKN-1 and enhances the increased longevity resulting from ALA treatment. The results show that ω-3 fatty acids inhibit aging and that these effects could reflect the combined effects of the ω-3 fatty acid and the oxylipin metabolites. The benefits of ω-3 fatty acid consumption on human health may similarly involve the production of oxylipins, and differences in oxylipin conversion could account for at least part of the variability found between observational vs. interventional clinical trials.

Modulation of the endogenous omega-3 fatty acid and oxylipin profile in vivo-A comparison of the fat-1 transgenic mouse with C57BL/6 wildtype mice on an omega-3 fatty acid enriched diet

Dietary intervention and genetic fat-1 mice are two models for the investigation of effects associated with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFA). In order to assess their power to modulate the fatty acid and oxylipin pattern, we thoroughly compared fat-1 and wild-type C57BL/6 mice on a sunflower oil diet with wild-type mice on the same diet enriched with 1% EPA and 1% DHA for 0, 7, 14, 30 and 45 days. Feeding led after 14–30 days to a high steady state of n3-PUFA in all tissues at the expense of n6-PUFAs. Levels of n3-PUFA achieved by feeding were higher compared to fat-1 mice, particularly for EPA (max. 1.7% in whole blood of fat-1 vs. 7.8% following feeding). Changes in PUFAs were reflected in most oxylipins in plasma, brain and colon: Compared to wild-type mice on a standard diet, arachidonic acid metabolites were overall decreased while EPA and DHA oxylipins increased with feeding more than in fat-1 mice. In plasma of n3-PUFA fed animals, EPA and DHA metabolites from the lipoxygenase and cytochrome P450 pathways dominated over ARA derived counterparts.Fat-1 mice show n3-PUFA level which can be reached by dietary interventions, supporting the applicability of this model in n3-PUFA research. However, for specific questions, e.g. the role of EPA derived mediators or concentration dependent effects of (individual) PUFA, feeding studies are necessary.

Intake of meat and fish and risk of head-neck cancer subtypes in the Netherlands Cohort Study

PURPOSE

To date, the role of meat and fish intake in head-neck cancer (HNC) etiology is not well understood and prospective evidence is limited. This prompted us to study the association between meat, fish, and HNC subtypes, i.e., oral cavity cancer (OCC), oro- and hypopharyngeal cancer (OHPC), and laryngeal cancer (LC), within the Netherlands Cohort Study (NLCS).

METHODS

In 1986, 120,852 participants (aged 55-69 years) completed a baseline 150-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), from which daily meat and fish intake were calculated. After 20.3 years of follow-up, 430 HNC overall (134 OCC, 90 OHPC and 203 LC) cases and 4,111 subcohort members were found to be eligible for case-cohort analysis. Multivariate hazard ratios were calculated using Cox's proportional hazards model within quartiles of energy-adjusted meat and fish intake.

RESULTS

Processed meat intake, but not red meat intake, was positively associated with HNC overall [HR(Q4 vs. Q1) = 1.46, 95% CI 1.06-2.00; ptrend = 0.03]. Among HNC subtypes, processed meat was positively associated with OCC, while no associations were found with OHPC and LC. Fish intake was not associated with HNC risk. Tests for interaction did not reveal statistically significant interaction between meat, fish, and alcohol or smoking on HNC overall risk.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort study, processed meat intake was positively associated with HNC overall and HNC subtype OCC, but not with OHPC and LC.