Docosahexaenoic acid

Higher Plasma Omega-3 Levels are Associated With Improved Exacerbation Risk and Respiratory-Specific Quality of Life in COPD.[Pubmed:38687147]

Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis. 2024 Apr 22.

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been associated with systemic anti-inflammatory responses. Dietary intake of omega-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has also been associated with lower COPD morbidity using self-report food frequency questionnaires. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between measured PUFA intake using plasma EPA+DHA levels and COPD morbidity. METHODS: Former smokers with moderate-severe COPD living in low-income communities were enrolled in a 6-month prospective cohort study. Participants completed standardized questionnaires, spirometry, and plasma samples at 3-month intervals. Total plasma PUFAs were analyzed using gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry for DHA and EPA concentrations. Linear or logistic mixed model regression was used to evaluate EPA+DHA's and COPD morbidity's association, accounting for demographics, lung function, pack years, comorbidities, and neighborhood poverty. RESULTS: 133 plasma EPA+DHA samples from 57 participants were available. Participants exhibited average plasma EPA and DHA levels of 14.7+/-7.3 microg/mL and 40.2+/-17.2 microg/mL, respectively, across the three clinic visits. Each standard deviation increase in EPA+DHA levels was associated with 2.7 points lower SGRQ score (95% CI -5.2, -0.2) and lower odds of moderate exacerbation (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.2, 0.9) but lacked significant association with CAT score (95% CI -2.4, 0.8), mMRC (95% CI -02, 0.2), or severe exacerbations (95% CI 0.3, 1.4). CONCLUSION: Plasma EPA+DHA levels are associated with better respiratory-specific quality of life and lower odds of moderate exacerbations in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. Further research is warranted to investigate the efficacy of an omega-3 dietary intervention in the management of COPD morbidities.

Nutritional interventions to prevent retinopathy of prematurity.[Pubmed:38684884]

Pediatr Res. 2024 Apr 29.

Very preterm infants are at high risk of growth failure. Poor weight gain is a prominent risk factor for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and optimizing nutrition could potentially promote growth and reduce ROP. Most infants at risk of ROP need parenteral nutrition initially and studies of enhanced parenteral provision of lipids and amino acids have suggested a beneficial effect on ROP. Higher amino acid intake was associated with lower incidence of hyperglycemia, a risk factor for ROP. For very preterm infants, providing unpasteurized fortified raw maternal breast milk appears to have a dose-dependent preventive effect on ROP. These infants become deficient in arachidonic acid (ArA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) after birth when the maternal supply is lost. Earlier studies have investigated the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on ROP with mixed results. In a recent study, early enteral supplementation of ArA 100 mg/kg/d and DHA 50 mg/kg/d until term equivalent age reduced the incidence of severe ROP by 50%. IMPACT: Previous reviews of nutritional interventions to prevent morbidities in preterm infants have mainly addressed bronchopulmonary dysplasia, brain lesions and neurodevelopmental outcome. This review focusses on ROP. Neonatal enteral supplementation with arachidonic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid, at levels similar to the fetal accretion rate, has been found to reduce severe ROP by 50% in randomized controlled trials.

Effect of Perilla seeds inclusion on the performance, egg quality characteristics, biochemical parameters and egg yolk fatty acid composition of laying hens.[Pubmed:38684622]

Trop Anim Health Prod. 2024 Apr 30;56(4):147.

This study investigates the effect of supplementation of Perilla seeds (PS) on the performance, egg quality, blood biochemical parameters, and egg yolk fatty acids composition in the diet of egg-laying chicken. A total of 1600 Lohmann laying hens were randomly assigned to four different groups with 4 replicates each (100 chickens/replicate) and were subjected to varying PS concentrations (PS0, PS6, PS12, and PS18; 0%, 6%, 12%, and 18%, respectively) for four weeks, including an acclimation period of one week. The results showed no significant differences among the groups for average egg weight (P > 0.005). The laying rate (%), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and average feed intake (AFI) decreased significantly for birds fed on 18% PS as compared to the other treatments (P < 0.005). Haugh unit, albumin height, egg-shape index and eggshell thickness among hens fed PS diets were greater averaging 80.53, 7.00, 1.29, 0.34 compared to 76.84, 6.86, 1.25 and 0.32 from Control hen eggs (P < 0.05). Serum analysis showed a trend towards elevated levels of glucose (Glu), total protein (TP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) among treatments. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) decreased for the birds fed on 6% PS. The fatty acid composition of egg yolk showed a substantial reduction for alpha-linolenic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid increased significantly by the incorporating PS in the diet (P < 0.001). PS incorporation in diets resulted in significant improvements in both performance indicators and greater amounts of alpha-linolenic acid and DHA in egg yolks. These findings indicate that PS at 6% inclusion has the potential to improve fatty acid profiles of egg yolk without any adverse effect on performance of egg quality.

Application of Goat and Lamb Lipases on the Development of New Immobilized Biocatalysts Aiming at Fish Oil Hydrolysis.[Pubmed:38683451]

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2024 Apr 29.

The use of lipases from animal sources for the synthesis of new biocatalysts is barely studied in the literature. The present work focused on the immobilization of lipases from kid goat's and lamb's epiglottis in different ionic supports. For this, anionic supports (monoaminoethyl-N-aminoethyl-agarose (MANAE) and diethylaminoethyl-agarose (DEAE)) and cationic supports (carboxymethyl-agarose and sulfopropyl-agarose) were used. The immobilization parameters were evaluated, as well as the thermal stability of the immobilized enzymes and their stability at different values of pH. Then, the performance of the biocatalysts was evaluated in hydrolysis reactions for obtaining omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)). Values of 100% of recovered activity were obtained for lipase from goats, indicating that it was possible to maintain all the enzymatic activities of the immobilized enzymes on the supports. The immobilized enzymes were more stable in different pH conditions and at a temperature of 50 degrees C, reaching values of stabilization factor of 12.17 and t(1/2) of 9.86 h(-1), for lamb lipase immobilized in sulfopropyl agarose. In general, the anionic supports led to lower Km values and the cationic ones to a higher Vmax. Lamb lipase showed the highest selectivity values for EPA/DHA, reaching values of 6.43 using MANAE. Thus, the high potential for using such biocatalysts from animal sources in the food or pharmaceutical industries is observed.

Contribution of phospholipase B to the formation of characteristic flavor in steamed sturgeon meat.[Pubmed:38681231]

Food Chem X. 2024 Apr 13;22:101391.

Sensory analysis and untargeted lipidomics were employed to study the impact of phospholipase B (PLB) on lipid oxidation and flavor in steamed sturgeon meat, revealing the inherent relationship between lipid oxidation and flavor regulation. The research verified that PLB effectively suppresses fat oxidation and improves the overall taste of steamed sturgeon meat. Furthermore, the PLB group identified 52 compounds, and the content of odor substances such as isoamyl alcohol and hexanal was reduced compared with other groups. Finally, lipid substances containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were screened out from 32 kinds of differential phospholipids. Through Pearson correlation analysis, it was observed that certain differential phospholipids such as PC (22:6) and PC (22:5) exhibited varying correlations with odor substances like hexanal and isovaleraldehyde. These findings suggest that PLB specifically affects certain phospholipids, leading to the production of distinct volatile substances through oxidative degradation.

Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation for Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia: A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.[Pubmed:38680033]

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2024 Apr 28:99228241250139.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential component for brain development during fetal and early postnatal life. Hyperbilirubinemia is characterized by abnormally high levels of bilirubin in the bloodstream, frequently leading to jaundice in newborns. In severe instances, this condition can progress to neurological damage or kernicterus, a form of brain damage. Initial cell-based experiments conducted by our research team revealed that DHA significantly enhances the survival rate of nerve cells treated with bilirubin and diminishes the oxidative stress indicated by reduced peroxide activity caused by unconjugated bilirubin (UCB). Further investigations through animal studies demonstrated that DHA effectively mitigates bilirubin-induced brain injury in neonatal rats. However, the potential of DHA to decrease the incidence of bilirubin-induced brain damage in clinical settings has not been previously explored or reported. Infants with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (n = 30 per group) participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled parallel study. They received either 100 mg/d DHA or placebo syrup immediately when they were diagnosed. The study found that the bilirubin level at 48 hours of treatment, serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels, mean phototherapy duration, and abnormal rate of cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were lower in the DHA group than those in the control group (P < .05). These results suggested that DHA is effective as an adjuvant treatment for hyperbilirubinemia in children. It can reduce the incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia brain injury and plays a certain protective role. Clinical study on protective effect of DHA on neonatal bilirubin injury is registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry as ChiCTR2300070250.

Polyunsaturated fatty acid-derived lipid mediator Resolvin D1 alleviates sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation via Caspase-1/Gasdermin D pyroptotic pathway.[Pubmed:38678822]

Clin Nutr. 2024 Apr 20;43(6):1372-1383.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is characterised by abnormal blood clotting resulting from severe infection, contributing to organ dysfunction in sepsis. Resolvin D1 (RvD1) is an endogenous lipid mediator, synthesised from the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) through enzymatic processes involving 15-LOX and 5-LOX. RvD1 is recognised for its protective properties against various inflammatory conditions. This study aims to investigate its potential to modulate coagulation dysfunction in sepsis and to evaluate coagulation disorders in septic patients. METHODS: Sepsis models were established by intraperitoneal injection LPS (20 mg/kg) or cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) followed by injection of RvD1 (10 mug/kg) or saline. The impact of RvD1 on coagulation dysfunction was assessed by clotting time and coagulation indicators such as TAT, D-dimer, PAI-1, and fibrinogen. The activity of the coagulation system in vivo was observed by evaluating dynamic microcirculation, platelets and thrombin in mice using intravital microscopy. The effect of RvD1 on pyroptosis was investigated by measuring NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, Caspase-11, and Gasdermin D (GSDMD) levels via western blot. Caspase-1 knockout mice, GSDMD knockout mice and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were used to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Lastly, the concentration of RvD1 in plasma from septic patients was quantified to explore its relationship with coagulation and pyroptosis. RESULTS: RvD1 significantly attenuated coagulation dysfunction in septic mice induced by LPS and CLP, and inhibited Caspase-1/GSDMD-dependent pyroptosis in septic mice and bone marrow-derived macrophages. In septic patients, the plasma concentrations of RvD1 was negatively correlated with both coagulation-related indicators and markers of GSDMD activation. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that RvD1 can improve coagulation dysfunction in sepsis by regulating the Caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptotic pathway. Additionally, the concentration of RvD1 in septic patient plasma is related to prognosis and DIC development. RvD1 could be a potential biomarker and a promising therapeutic alternative in sepsis-induced DIC.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Risk of Ischemic Stroke in REGARDS.[Pubmed:38676880]

Transl Stroke Res. 2024 Apr 27.

We examined associations between lipidomic profiles and incident ischemic stroke in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort. Plasma lipids (n = 195) were measured from baseline blood samples, and lipids were consolidated into underlying factors using exploratory factor analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were used to test associations between lipid factors and incident stroke, linear regressions to determine associations between dietary intake and lipid factors, and the inverse odds ratio weighting (IORW) approach to test mediation. The study followed participants over a median (IQR) of 7 (3.4-11) years, and the case-cohort substudy included 1075 incident ischemic stroke and 968 non-stroke participants. One lipid factor, enriched for Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid), was inversely associated with stroke risk in a base model (HR = 0.84; 95%CI 0.79-0.90; P = 8.33 x 10(-8)) and fully adjusted model (HR = 0.88; 95%CI 0.83-0.94; P = 2.79 x 10(-4)). This factor was associated with a healthy diet pattern (beta = 0.21; 95%CI 0.12-0.30; P = 2.06 x 10(-6)), specifically with fish intake (beta = 1.96; 95%CI 0.95-2.96; P = 1.36 x 10(-4)). DHA was a mediator between fish intake and incident ischemic stroke (30% P = 5.78 x 10(-3)). Taken together, DHA-containing plasma lipids were inversely associated with incident ischemic stroke and mediated the relationship between fish intake and stroke risk.

The Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Abilities of Fish Oil Derived Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Manuka Honey.[Pubmed:38674722]

Microorganisms. 2024 Apr 11;12(4):778.

Both honey and fish oil have been historically used in medicine and identified as having antimicrobial properties. Although analyses of the substances have identified different components within them, it is not fully understood how these components interact and contribute to the observed effect. With the increase in multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria found in infections, new treatment options are needed. This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial abilities of fish oil components, including Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and derived resolvins (RvE1, RvD2, and RvD3), as well as two varieties of manuka honey, against a panel of medically relevant microorganisms and antimicrobial resistant organisms, such as Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were identified; further minimum biofilm eradication concentrations (MBEC) were investigated for responsive organisms, including S. aureus, E. coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Concurrent with the existing literature, manuka honey was found to be a broad-spectrum antimicrobial with varied potency according to methylglyoxal content. DHA and EPA were both effective against Gram-positive and negative bacteria, but some drug-resistant strains or pathogens were not protected by a capsule. Only E. coli was inhibited by the resolvins.

Nutritional Composition and Safety Aspects of Deep-Sea Whelks (Buccinum tenuissimum Kuroda).[Pubmed:38672842]

Foods. 2024 Apr 11;13(8):1169.

The deep-sea whelk Buccinum tenuissimum Kuroda is highly sought-after as food in East Asian countries, notably, Korea and Japan. However, it lacks official recognition as a food product in Korea. This study aimed to assess its nutritional composition and safety for the potential development of seafood products. The nutritional analysis revealed high protein (13.54-20.47 g/100 g whelk), fat (0.85-8.59 g/100 g whelk), carbohydrate (1.55-12.81 g/100 g whelk), and dietary fiber (1.25-1.95 g/100 g whelk) contents in both muscle and gut samples, with energy contents ranging from 339.11 +/- 1.64 to 692.00 +/- 3.21 kJ/100 g. Key minerals, including iron, potassium, calcium, and sodium, and essential fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid, Docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids, were abundant, making it a potential supplementary food. Notably, heavy metal levels met the Korean standards for seafood safety. No trans fats, radioactivity concerning the radioactive isotopes (134)Cs/(137)Cs and (131)I, or pathogenic bacteria were detected. This confirms the safety and nutritional value of deep-sea whelks, suggesting their potential for developing seafood products rich in beneficial components, which could enhance nutrition and food security while contributing to economic growth.

Krill Oil and Its Bioactive Components as a Potential Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Insights from In Vivo and In Vitro Studies.[Pubmed:38672464]

Biomolecules. 2024 Apr 6;14(4):447.

Krill oil is extracted from krill, a small crustacean in the Antarctic Ocean. It has received growing attention because of krill oil's unique properties and diverse health benefits. Recent experimental and clinical studies suggest that it has potential therapeutic benefits in preventing the development of a range of chronic conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Krill oil is enriched with long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic acids, and the potent antioxidant astaxanthin, contributing to its therapeutic properties. The possible underlying mechanisms of krill oil's health benefits include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions, maintaining intestinal barrier functions, and modulating gut microbiota. This review aims to provide an overview of the beneficial effects of krill oil and its bioactive components on intestinal inflammation and to discuss the findings on the molecular mechanisms associated with the role of krill oil in IBD prevention and treatment.

The Conventional and Breakthrough Tool for the Study of L-Glutamate Transporters.[Pubmed:38668105]

Membranes (Basel). 2024 Mar 27;14(4):77.

In our recent report, we clarified the direct interaction between the excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) 1/2 and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by applying electrophysiological and molecular biological techniques to Xenopus oocytes. Xenopus oocytes have a long history of use in the scientific field, but they are still attractive experimental systems for neuropharmacological studies. We will therefore summarize the pharmacological significance, advantages (especially in the study of EAAT2), and experimental techniques that can be applied to Xenopus oocytes; our new findings concerning L-glutamate (L-Glu) transporters and PUFAs; and the significant outcomes of our data. The data obtained from electrophysiological and molecular biological studies of Xenopus oocytes have provided us with further important questions, such as whether or not some PUFAs can modulate EAATs as allosteric modulators and to what extent Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) affects neurotransmission and thereby affects brain functions. Xenopus oocytes have great advantages in the studies about the interactions between molecules and functional proteins, especially in the case when the expression levels of the proteins are small in cell culture systems without transfections. These are also proper to study the mechanisms underlying the interactions. Based on the data collected in Xenopus oocyte experiments, we can proceed to the next step, i.e., the physiological roles of the compounds and their significances. In the case of EAAT2, the effects on the neurotransmission should be examined by electrophysiological approach using acute brain slices. For new drug development, pharmacokinetics pharmacodynamics (PKPD) data and blood brain barrier (BBB) penetration data are also necessary. In order not to miss the promising candidate compounds at the primary stages of drug development, we should reconsider using Xenopus oocytes in the early phase of drug development.