Decreasing the Linoleic Acid to α-Linolenic Acid Diet Ratio Increases Eicosapentaenoic Acid in Erythrocytes in Adults

The n-6/n-3 fatty acid (FA) ratio has increased in the Western-style diet to ~10–15:1 during the last century, which may have contributed to the rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Prior studies have evaluated the effects on CVD risk factors of manipulating the levels of n-6 and n-3 FA using food and supplements or investigated the metabolic fate of linoleic acid (LNA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) by varying the n-6/n-3 ratios. However, no previous studies have investigated the potential interaction between diet ratios and supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3). We used a factorial design approach with adults (n = 24) in a controlled feeding trial to compare the accretion of EPA and DHA into red blood cell membranes (RBC) by adding a direct source (algal oil supplement) of EPA and DHA in a diet with a 10:1 versus 2:1 ratio of n-6/n-3 FA. Subjects were randomized into 8-week crossover diet sequences and each subject consumed three of four diets [10:1, 10:1 plus supplement (10:1 + S), 2:1 and 2:1 + S]. LNA and ALA intakes were 9.4 and 7.7%, and 1.0 and 3.0% during the low and high ALA diets, respectively. Compared to the Western-style 10:1 diet, the 2:1 diet increased EPA by 60% (P < 0.0001) in RBC membranes without the direct EPA source and a 34% increase (P = 0.027) was observed with the 10:1 + S diet; however, DHA levels increased in both diet ratios only with a direct DHA source. Shifting towards a 2:1 diet is a valid alternative to taking EPA-containing supplements.     

Linolenic Acid Project in Liaoning

The agreement on the construction ofAsia's biggest Y-linolenic acid projecthas recently been signed.The project willbe located in Liaoning Dalian Develop-     

Unduly increasing Sulfuric Acid Capacity in East China

1 Rise in the price ofsulfuric acid in 2004The output of phosphate fertilizers inChina exceeded 10 million tons in 2004,showing an increase of more than15.7% over the previous year.As theoutput still falls short of the demand,the net import amount of NPK(nitrogenous,phosphorus andpotassium)compound fertilizers wasaround 1.8 million tons.Efficient pro-     

Enantioselective Pharmacokinetics of α-Lipoic Acid in Rats

α-Lipoic acid (LA) is widely used for nutritional supplements as a racemic mixture, even though the R enantiomer is biologically active. After oral administration of the racemic mixture (R-α-lipoic acid (RLA) and S-α-lipoic acid (SLA) mixed at the ratio of 50:50) to rats, RLA showed higher plasma concentration than SLA, and its area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to the last (AUC) was significantly about 1.26 times higher than that of SLA. However, after intravenous administration of the racemic mixture, the pharmacokinetic profiles, initial concentration (C₀), AUC, and half-life (T_1/2) of the enantiomers were not significantly different. After oral and intraduodenal administration of the racemic mixture to pyrolus-ligated rats, the AUCs of RLA were significantly about 1.24 and 1.32 times higher than that of SLA, respectively. In addition, after intraportal administration the AUC of RLA was significantly 1.16 times higher than that of SLA. In conclusion, the enantioselective pharmacokinetics of LA in rats arose from the fraction absorbed multiplied by gastrointestinal availability (F_aF_g) and hepatic availability (F_h), and not from the total clearance.     

General Regulation of Advertising in SulPhuric Acid Industry

Sulphuric Acid Industry is an only state-published journal concerning sulphuric acid manufacture in China. It has a broad readership of executives, scientific and technical workers and managing staff who are engaged in sulphuric acid industry. The journal is published bimonthly and distributed over five thousand copies each issue domestically and abroad.     

Joint Venture Producing Sulfuric Acid from Sulfur in Zhejiang

Zhejiang Longsheng Group Co.,Ltd.recently allied with the Itochu Cor-poration of Japan,one of the world     

FPEX γ‐Radiolysis in the Presence of Nitric Acid

Abstract

The solvent formulation known as FPEX (Fission Product Extraction) contains calix[4]arene‐bis‐(tert‐octylbenzo‐crown‐6) (BOBCalixC6) for Cs extraction; 4,4′,(5′)‐di‐(t‐butyldicyclohexano)‐18‐crown‐6 (DtBuCH18C6) for Sr extraction; 1‐(2,2,3,3,‐tetrafluoropropoxy)‐3‐(4‐sec‐butylphenoxy)‐2‐propanol (Cs‐7SB) modifier and trioctylamine (TOA) to aid in Cs stripping, all in an Isopar L diluent. This formulation has favorable extraction efficiency for Cs and Sr from acidic solution, and was investigated here for γ‐radiation stability. When FPEX was irradiated in contact with aqueous nitric acid, the extraction efficiency decreased only slightly when irradiated to absorbed doses as high as 200 kGy. The color of the organic phase changed to a deep yellow‐orange, and several new peaks related to radiolysis of the Cs‐7SB modifier were detected by GC‐ECD analysis. This had little effect on the solvent extraction distribution ratios. Possible reasons for this unexpected robustness under conditions of high radiation and acidity are discussed.     

400000 T/A Sulfuric Acid Unit in Luhua Expansion

After nearly one month's capacityexpansion,preliminary results havebeen achieved in the 400000 t/a sulfu-ric acid unit of Luzai Chemical Fertil-izer Co.,Ltd (LCFCL).The daily outputof sulfuric acid has increased from 1220 tons to 1350 tons and the annualoutput is expected to increase from 400000 tons to 450000 tons. To fully use the sulfuric acid unit     

17β-Estradiol Increases Liver and Serum Docosahexaenoic Acid in Mice Fed Varying Levels of α-Linolenic Acid

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is considered to be important for cardiac and brain function, and 17β-estradiol (E2) appears to increase the conversion of α-linolenic acid (ALA) into DHA. However, the effect of varying ALA intake on the positive effect of E2 on DHA synthesis is not known. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of E2 supplementation on tissue and serum fatty acids in mice fed a low-ALA corn oil-based diet (CO, providing 0.6 % fatty acids as ALA) or a high ALA flaxseed meal-based diet (FS, providing 11.2 % ALA). Ovariectomized mice were implanted with a slow-release E2 pellet at 3 weeks of age and half the mice had the pellet removed at 7 weeks of age. Mice were then randomized onto either the CO or FS diet. After 4 weeks, the DHA concentration was measured in serum, liver and brain. A significant main effect of E2 was found for liver and serum DHA, corresponding to 25 and 15 % higher DHA in livers of CO and FS rats, respectively, and 19 and 13 % in serum of CO and FS rats, respectively, compared to unsupplemented mice. There was no effect of E2 on brain DHA. E2 results in higher DHA in serum and liver, at both levels of dietary ALA investigated presently, suggesting that higher ALA intake may result in higher DHA in individuals with higher E2 status.     

Serum n-3 Tetracosapentaenoic Acid and Tetracosahexaenoic Acid Increase Following Higher Dietary α-Linolenic Acid but not Docosahexaenoic Acid

n‐3 Tetracosapentaenoic acid (24:5n‐3, TPAn‐3) and tetracosahexaenoic acid (24:6n‐3, THA) are believed to be important intermediates to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3) synthesis. The purpose of this study is to report for the first time serum concentrations of TPAn‐3 and THA and their response to changing dietary α‐linolenic acid (18:3n‐3, ALA) and DHA. The responses will then be used in an attempt to predict the location of these fatty acids in relation to DHA in the biosynthetic pathway. Male Long Evans rats (n = 6 per group) were fed either a low (0.1% of total fatty acids), medium (3%) or high (10%) ALA diet with no added DHA, or a low (0%), medium (0.2%) or high (2%) DHA diet with a background of 2% ALA for 8 weeks post‐weaning. Serum n‐3 and n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations (nmol/mL ± SEM) were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Serum THA increases from low (0.3 ± 0.1) to medium (5.8 ± 0.7) but not from medium to high (4.6 ± 0.9) dietary ALA, while serum TPAn‐3 increases with increasing dietary ALA from 0.09 ± 0.04 to 0.70 ± 0.09 to 1.23 ± 0.14 nmol/mL. Following DHA feeding, neither TPAn‐3 or THA change across all dietary DHA intake levels. Serum TPAn‐3 demonstrates a similar response to dietary DHA. In conclusion, this is the first study to demonstrate that increases in dietary ALA but not DHA increase serum TPAn‐3 and THA in rats, suggesting that both fatty acids are precursors to DHA in the biosynthetic pathway.     

Direct Determination of MCPD Fatty Acid Esters and Glycidyl Fatty Acid Esters in Vegetable Oils by LC–TOFMS

Analysis of MCPD esters and glycidyl esters in vegetable oils using the indirect method proposed by the DGF gave inconsistent results when salting out conditions were varied. Subsequent investigation showed that the method was destroying and reforming MCPD during the analysis. An LC time of flight MS method was developed for direct analysis of both MCPD esters and glycidyl esters in vegetable oils. The results of the LC–TOFMS method were compared with the DGF method. The DGF method consistently gave results that were greater than the LC–TOFMS method. The levels of MCPD esters and glycidyl esters found in a variety of vegetable oils are reported. MCPD monoesters were not found in any oil samples. MCPD diesters were found only in samples containing palm oil, and were not present in all palm oil samples. Glycidyl esters were found in a wide variety of oils. Some processing conditions that influence the concentration of MCPD esters and glycidyl esters are discussed.     

Tetradecylthioacetic Acid Increases Hepatic Mitochondrial β-Oxidation and Alters Fatty Acid Composition in a Mouse Model of Chronic Inflammation

The administration of tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA), a hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory modified bioactive fatty acid, has in several experiments based on high fat diets been shown to improve lipid transport and utilization. It was suggested that increased mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation in the liver of Wistar rats results in reduced plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) levels. Here we assessed the potential of TTA to prevent tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α-induced lipid modifications in human TNFα (hTNFα) transgenic mice. These mice are characterized by reduced β-oxidation and changed fatty acid composition in the liver. The effect of dietary treatment with TTA on persistent, low-grade hTNFα overexpression in mice showed a beneficial effect through decreasing TAG plasma concentrations and positively affecting saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid proportions in the liver, leading to an increased anti-inflammatory fatty acid index in this group. We also observed an increase of mitochondrial β-oxidation in the livers of TTA treated mice. Concomitantly, there were enhanced plasma levels of carnitine, acetyl carnitine, propionyl carnitine, and octanoyl carnitine, no changed levels in trimethyllysine and palmitoyl carnitine, and a decreased level of the precursor for carnitine, called γ-butyrobetaine. Nevertheless, TTA administration led to increased hepatic TAG levels that warrant further investigations to ascertain that TTA may be a promising candidate for use in the amelioration of inflammatory disorders characterized by changed lipid metabolism due to raised TNFα levels.     

Synergism of α-Linolenic Acid, Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Calcium in Decreasing Adipocyte and Increasing Osteoblast Cell Growth

Whole fat milk and dairy products (although providing more energy compared to low- or non-fat products), are good sources of α-linolenic acid (ALA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and calcium, which may be favorable in modulating bone and adipose tissue metabolism. We examined individual and/or synergistic effects of ALA, CLA and calcium (at levels similar to those in whole milk/dairy products) in regulating bone and adipose cell growth. ST2 stromal, MC3T3-L1 adipocyte-like and MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells were treated with: (a) linoleic acid (LNA):ALA ratios = 1–5:1; (b) individual/combined 80–90 % c9, t11 (9,11) and 5–10 % t10, c12 (10,12) CLA isomers; (c) 0.5–3.0 mM calcium; (d) combinations of (a), (b), (c); and (e) control. Local mediators, including eicosanoids and growth factors, were measured. (a) The optimal effect was found at the 4:1 LNA:ALA ratio where insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) production was the lowest in MC3T3-L1 cells. (b) All CLA isomer blends decreased MC3T3-L1 and increased MC3T3-E1 cell differentiation. (c) 1.5–2.5 mM calcium increased ST2 and MC3T3-E1, and decreased MC3T3-L1 cell proliferation. (d) Combination of 4:1 LNA:ALA + 90:10 % CLA + 2.0 mM calcium lowered MC3T3-L1 and increased MC3T3-E1 cell differentiation. Overall, the optimal LNA:ALA ratio to enhance osteoblastogenesis and inhibit adipogenesis was 4:1. This effect was enhanced by 90:10 % CLA + 2.0 mM calcium, indicating possible synergism of these dietary factors in promoting osteoblast and inhibiting adipocyte differentiation in cell cultures.     

Effect of Calcium Salts of Glutaric Acid and Pimelic Acid on the Formation of β Crystalline Form in Isotactic Polypropylene

The effect of calcium glutarate (Cagt) and calcium pimelate (Capt) on the formation of β crystalline form in isotactic polypropylene (iPP) after isothermal crystallization at 130°C for 30 min has been investigated. The maximum K_WAXD and K_DSC values were 31.97% and 38.06%, respectively, for iPP doped with 0.2 wt.% Cagt. The maximum values of K_WAXD and K_DSC were 73.60% and 68.44% for iPP doped with 0.3 wt.% and 0.15 wt.% Capt, respectively. The crystal size of iPP doped with Capt is finer than that of iPP doped with Cagt. It is shown that the β nucleation ability of Capt is superior to that of Cagt. The difference in the β nucleation ability between Cagt and Capt is explained by the structural difference of the nucleators with β-iPP.     

Maintenance of Arachidonic Acid and Evidence of Δ5 Desaturation in Cats Fed γ-Linolenic and Linoleic Acid Enriched Diets

Cats have limited Δ6 desaturase activity. However, γ-linolenate (GLA) feeding may by-pass the Δ6 desaturase step allowing arachidonate (ARA) accumulation via Δ5-desaturation. Alternatively, high dietary linoleate (LNA) may induce limited Δ6 desaturase also resulting in ARA accumulation. Fatty acid profiles were determined after feeding high LNA, high GLA, or adequate LNA diets. Adult female cats (n = 29) were assigned to one of three groups and fed for 8 weeks. Plasma samples were collected at weeks 0, 2, 4 and 8 for plasma triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterol (TC), lipoprotein (LP), and plasma and red blood cell membrane phospholipid fatty acid determinations. Time, but no diet, effects were observed for TAG, TC, and LP fractions at weeks 2 and 4 with significant increases likely due to increased dietary fat. However, all values were within feline normal limits. The GLA diet resulted in increased dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and ARA as early as week 2, supporting a ∆5 desaturase. Further evidence of Δ5 desaturase was found at high dietary LNA with the appearance of a novel fatty acid, 20:3 ∆7, 11, 14, apparently formed via ∆5 desaturation and chain elongation of LNA. However, Δ6 desaturase induction at high dietary LNA concentration was not observed. Cats are able to maintain plasma and red blood cell ARA when fed a practical diet containing GLA using what appears to be an active Δ5 desaturase enzyme.     

Acid‐catalyzed isobutane–isobutylene alkylation in liquid carbon dioxide solution

Liquid carbon dioxide was studied as a solvent for the isobutane–isobutylene alkylation. The acid catalysts in the reaction were anhydrous HF (AHF), pyridinium–poly(hydrogen fluoride) complex (PPHF), concentrated sulfuric acid and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFSA). The effect of the acid–hydrocarbon volume ratio, temperature and residence time on the alkylate quality were studied over the temperature range of 50 T 0 °C. Carbon dioxide as a competing weak base decreases the acidity of the system which parallels the alkylate quality. In the case of HF and TFSA catalysts, solvent CO₂ increased the octane number of the alkylate product (RON 95.6 for HF and 88.0 for TFSAcatalyzed alkylation with CO₂ solvent).     

Docosahexaenoic Acid Levels in Blood and Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Children: Is There a Link?

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing in the pediatric population. Considering the different existing criteria to define metabolic syndrome, the use of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria has been suggested in children. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been associated with beneficial effects on health. The evidence about the relationship of DHA status in blood and components of the metabolic syndrome is unclear. This review discusses the possible association between DHA content in plasma and erythrocytes and components of the metabolic syndrome included in the IDF criteria (obesity, alteration of glucose metabolism, blood lipid profile, and blood pressure) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children. The current evidence is inconsistent and no definitive conclusion can be drawn in the pediatric population. Well-designed longitudinal and powered trials need to clarify the possible association between blood DHA status and metabolic syndrome.     

n-3 Docosapentaenoic Acid Intake and Relationship with Plasma Long-Chain n-3 Fatty Acid Concentrations in the United States: NHANES 2003–2014

The long-chain n-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), play a crucial role in health, but previous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) analyses have shown that EPA and DHA intake in the United States is far below recommendations (~250–500 mg/day EPA + DHA). Less is known about docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), the metabolic intermediate of EPA and DHA; however, evidence suggests DPA may be an important contributor to long-chain n-3 fatty acid intake and impart unique benefits. We used NHANES 2003–2014 data (n = 45,347) to assess DPA intake and plasma concentrations, as well as the relationship between intake and plasma concentrations of EPA, DPA, and DHA. Mean DPA intake was 22.3 ± 0.8 mg/day from 2013 to 2014, and increased significantly over time (p < 0.001), with the lowest values from 2003 to 2004 (16.2 ± 1.2 mg/day). DPA intake was higher in adults (20–55 years) and seniors (55+ years) compared to younger individuals. In regression analyses, DPA intake was a significant predictor of plasma EPA (β = 138.5; p < 0.001) and DHA (β = 318.9; p < 0.001). Plasma DPA was predicted by EPA and DHA intake (β = 13.15; p = 0.001 and β = 7.4; p = 0.002), but not dietary DPA (p = 0.3). This indicates that DPA intake is not a good marker of plasma DPA status (or vice versa), and further research is needed to understand the factors that affect the interconversion of EPA and DPA. These findings have implications for future long-chain n-3 fatty acids dietary recommendations.