Effects of dietary marine oils and olive oil on fatty acid composition, platelet membrane fluidity, platelet responses, and serum lipids in healthy humans

The influence of various dietary marine oils and olive oil on fatty acid composition of serum and platelets and effects on platelets and serum lipids were investigated as part of an extensive study of the effects of these oils on parameters associated with cardiovascular/thrombotic diseases. Healthy volunteers (266) consumed 15 mL/d of cod liver oil (CLO); whale blubber oil (refined or unrefined); mixtures of seal blubber oil and CLO; or olive oil/CLO for 12 wk. In the CLO, seal oil/CLO, and whale oil groups, serum levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were increased. In platelets, EPA was increased in the CLO, seal/CLO, and olive oil/CLO groups. The localization of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the triacylglycerols did not seem to influence their absorption. Intake of oleic acid is poorly reflected in serum and platelets. No significant differences in triacylglycerols (IG), total cholesterol, or high density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed, even though TG were reduced in the CLO, CLO/seal oil, and whale oil groups. Mean platelet volume increased significantly in both whale oil groups and the CLO/olive oil group. Platelet count was significantly reduced in the refined whale oil group only. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated blood tended to generate less thromboxane B₂ in CLO, CLO/seal, and CLO/olive groups. The whale oils tended to reduce in vivo release of β-thromboglobulin. In conclusion, intake of various marine oils causes changes in platelet membranes that are favorably antithrombotic. The combination of CLO and olive oil may produce better effects than these oils given separately. The changes in platelet function are directly associated with alterations of fatty acid composition in platelet membranes.     

Solvent-free enzymatic glycerolysis of marine oils

Marine triglyceride oils (cod liver oil and oils from blubber of harp seal and minke whale) were reacted with glycerol using lipase as a catalyst at low temperature. A solvent-free batch system with magnetic stirring was used. Solidification of the reaction mixture occurred, and a mixture of mono-, di-, and triglycerides was obtained in all cases. The recovered glyceride mixtures were solid at room temperature. The yield of monoglyceride (MG) and the fatty acid profile of the MG fractions were dependent on oil and the type of lipase used as a catalyst. Of the commercially-available lipases investigated, lipase AK fromPseudomonas sp. synthesized the highest yield of MG (42–53%) at 5°C. These MG fractions were low in saturated fatty acids (4–11%) and high in long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (52–69%). The concentration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was 12–20%.     

Enhanced incorporation of n−3 fatty acids from fish compared with fish oils

This work was undertaken to study the impact of the source of n−3 FA on their incorporation in serum, on blood lipid composition, and on cellular activation. A clinical trial comprising 71 volunteers, divided into five groups, was performed. Three groups were given 400 g smoked salmon (n=14), cooked salmon (n=15), or cooked cod (n=13) per week for 8 wk. A fourth group was given 15 mL/d of cod liver oil (CLO) (n=15), and a fifth group served as control (n=14) without supplementation. The serum content of EPA and DHA before and after intervention revealed a higher rise in EPA and DHA in the cooked salmon group (129% rise in EPA and 45% rise in DHA) as compared with CLO (106 and 25%, respectively) despite an intake of EPA and DHA in the CLO group of 3.0 g/d compared with 1.2 g/d in the cooked salmon group. No significant changes were observed in blood lipids, fibrinogen, fibrinolysis, or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tissue factor (TF) activity, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interleukin-8 (IL-8), leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄), and thromboxane B₂ (TxB₂) in whole blood. EPA and DHA were negatively correlated with LPS-induced TNFα, IL-8, LTB₄, TxB₂, and TF in whole blood. In conclusion, fish consumption is more effective in increasing serum EPA and DHA than supplementing the diet with fish oil. Since the n−3 FA are predominantly in TAG in fish as well as CLO, it is suggested that the larger uptake from fish than CLO is due to differences in physiochemical structure of the lipids.     

Effect of fish oil on cancer cachexia and host liver metabolism in rats with prostate tumors

The aim of this study was to investigate whether tumor-induced cachexia and aberrations in host liver metabolism, induced by the MAT-LyLu variant of the Dunning prostate tumor, could be prevented by ω3 fatty acids from fish oil. On day 0, adult Copenhagen-Fisher rats fed normal chowad libitum were inoculated with 10⁶ MAT-LyLu cells (n=14) or saline (n=9). On day 7, when tumors were palpable, four tumor-bearing (TB) and four nontumorbearing (NTB) rats were put on isocaloric diets with 50% of total energy as fish oil. The introduction of fish oil-enriched diets caused a reduction in energy intake to less than half of the energy intake by animals fed normal diets during days 7–14 (difference by dietary group: NTB,P<0.001; TB,P<0.001). During days 14–21, energy intake in fish oil-fed animals returned to approximately 75% of energy intake by animals fed normal diets (difference by dietary group: NTB,P<0.003; TB,P=0.001). Carcass weight of animals on day 21, when the study was terminated, was significantly related to initial weight (P=0.05) and mean food intake during the study (P=0.01). When data were adjusted for these variables using analysis of covariance, with NTB animals on normal diets being the reference group, significant loss of carcass weight was observed in TB animals on normal diets only (mean ±SEM 58±10 g loss,P<0.001), but not in TB animals on fish oil diets (8±18 g loss,P=0.67). This positive effect of fish oil diets on carcass weight in TB animals was statistically significant (50±19 g,P<0.02), implicating that the fish oil enriched diet inhibited tumor-induced weight loss by more than 85%. No effect of fish oil diets on tumor growth was detected. In all TB animals, regardless of diet, hepatic [P_i]/adenosine triphosphate] ratios measured by³¹P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)in vivo andin vitro were elevated, and absolute concentrations of phosphocholine, glycerophosphocho-line, glycerophosphoethanolamine and glucose-6-phosphate as determined by³¹P MRSin vitro were reduced. Ultrastructural studies of liver tissue revealed increased numbers of mitochondria and increased amounts of endoplasmic reticulum in the host liver of TB animals, without differences between dietary group. In conclusion, fish oil supplementation partially inhibited MAT-LyLu tumor-induced cachexia, but did not prevent the majority of³¹P MRS-detectable alterations in host liver metabolism.     

Soybean-lecithin supplementation of practical diets for juvenile goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Soybean lecithin, alone or in combination with cod liver or soybean oil, was tested as a supplemental lipid in practical diets for juvenile (0.3 g) goldfish (Carassius auratus). Goldfish were fed one of five diets containing: (i) 4% cod liver oil (CLO); (ii) 2% CLO+2% lecithin (LEC); (iii) 4% soybean oil (SBO); (iv) 2% SBO+2% LEC; (v) 4% LEC. After 6 wk, weight gain and feed efficiency of fish fed diets with 4% LEC were significantly higher than those of fish fed diets with 4% CLO or SBO. Gain and feed efficiency of fish fed diets with combinations of LEC and CLO or SBO were intermediate. Survival and whole-body lipid were unaffected by diet. Possible mechanisms of performance enhancement in goldfish fed LEC include provision of myoinositol or phosphatidylcholine to support rapid membrane proliferation, enhanced absorption of dietary lipid, and facilitation of lipid transport.     

Daily Intake of Cod or Salmon for 2?Weeks Decreases the 18:1n-9/18:0 Ratio and Serum Triacylglycerols in Healthy Subjects

Intake of fish and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids is associated with a reduced concentration of plasma triacylglycerols (TAG) but the mechanisms are not fully clarified. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) activity, governing TAG synthesis, is affected by n-3 fatty acids. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) display expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study was to estimate whether intake of lean and fatty fish would influence n-3 fatty acids composition in plasma phospholipids (PL), serum TAG, 18:1n-9/18:0 ratio in plasma PL, as well as PBMC gene expression of SCD1 and fatty acid synthase (FAS). Healthy males and females (n = 30), aged 20–40, consumed either 150 g of cod, salmon, or potato (control) daily for 15 days. During intervention docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) increased in the cod group (P < 0.05), while TAG concentration decreased (P < 0.05). In the salmon group both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and DHA increased (P < 0.05) whereas TAG concentration and the 18:1n-9/18:0 ratio decreased (P < 0.05). Reduction of the 18:1n-9/18:0 ratio was associated with a corresponding lowering of TAG (P < 0.05) and an increase in EPA and DHA (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of SCD1 and FAS in PBMC were not significantly altered after intake of cod or salmon when compared with the control group. In conclusion, both lean and fatty fish may lower TAG, possibly by reducing the 18:1n-9/18:0 ratio related to allosteric inhibition of SCD1 activity, rather than by influencing the synthesis of enzyme protein.     

Maternal dietary conjugated linoleic acid alters hepatic triacylglycerol and tissue fatty acids in hatched chicks

The effects of feeding CLA to hens on newly hatched chick hepatic and carcass lipid content, liver TAG accumulation, and FA incorporation in chick tissues such as liver, heart, brain, and adipose were studied. These tissues were selected owing to their respective roles in lipid assimilation (liver), as a major oxidation site (heart), as a site enriched with long-chain polyunsaturates for function (brain), and as a storage depot (adipose). Eggs with no, low, or high levels of CLA were produced by feeding hens a corn-soybean meal-basal diet containing 3% (w/w) corn oil (Control), 2.5% corn oil +0.5% CLA oil (CLA1), or 2% corn oil +1.0% CLA oil (CLA2). The egg yolk content of total CLA was 0.0, 1.0, and 2.6% for Control, CLA1, and CLA2, respectively (P<0.05). Maternal dietary CLA resulted in a decrease in chick carcass total fat (P<0.05). Liver tissue of CLA2 chicks had the lowest fat content (P<0.05). The liver TAG content was 8.2, 5.8, and 5.1 mg/g for Control, CLA1, and CLA2 chicks, respectively (P<0.05). The chicks hatched from CLA1 and CLA2 incorporated higher levels of cis-9,trans-11 CLA in the liver, plasma, adipose, and brain than Control (P<0.05). The content of 18∶0 was higher in the liver, plasma adipose, and brain of CLA1 and CLA2 than Control (P<0.05), but no difference was observed in the 18∶0 content of heart tissue. A significant reduction in 18∶1 was observed in the liver, plasma, adipose, heart, and brain of CLA1 and CLA2 chicks (P<0.05). DHA (22∶6n−3) was reduced in the heart and brain of CLA1 and CLA2 chicks (P<0.05). No difference was observed in carcass weight, dry matter, or ash content of chicks (P>0.05). The hatchabilities of fertile eggs were 78, 34, and 38% for Control, CLA1, and CLA2, respectively (P<0.05). The early dead chicks were higher in CLA1 and CLA2 than Control (18 and 32% compared with 9% for Control), and alive but not hatched chicks were 15 and 19% for CLA1 and CLA2, compared with 8% for Control (P<0.05). Maternal supplementation with CLA leads to a reduction in hatchability, liver TAG, and carcass total fat in newly hatched chicks.     

Docosahexaenoic acid does not affect aggression of normal volunteers under nonstressful conditions. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study

We previously found that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake prevents aggression enhancement at times of mental stress. In the present study we investigated changes in aggression under nonstressful conditions. Forty-six students of two universities took either DHA-rich fish oil capsules containing 1.5 g DHA (DHA group: 13 males and 9 females) or control oil capsules containing 97% soybean oil plus 3% of another fish oil (control group: 11 males and 13 females) for 3 mon in a double-blind fashion. At the start and end of the study they took an aggression-estimating test (P-F Study) without a stressor component. DHA (5.9 to 8.5%, P<0.001) and eicosapentaenoic acid (0.7 to 1.5%, P<0.001) increased in red blood cell phospholipids in the DHA group, while linoleic acid increased slightly (8.3 to 9.1%, P<0.002) in the soybean oil control group. In the control group, measured aggression levels decreased from 34.8 to 29.4% (P<0.005), whereas they remained stable in the DHA group (33.5 to 33.8%). The intergroup differences (−5.4 vs. 0.3%) were marginally significant (P≤0.05). Aggression levels were stable in the DHA group whether there was stressor (as previously shown) or not. This effect of DHA appears to be interesting, considering the reported association between a low intake of n-3 fatty acids and depression.     

Effects of dietary defatted squid on cholesterol metabolism and hepatic lipogenesis in rats

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a cholesterol-free (Exp. 1) or cholesterol-supplemented (Exp. 2) diet containing 20% casein (control group) or 15% defatted squid and 5% casein (defatted squid group), as protein, for 14 d. Serum and hepatic cholesterol concentrations were lower in rats fed defatted squid than in those fed casein in both cholesterol-free (−20%, P<0.05 and −15%, P<0.05, respectively) and cholesterol-supplemented (−25%, P<0.05 and −15%, P<0.05, respectively) diets. Hepatic triglyceride concentration was lower in the defatted squid than in the control groups in both cholesterol-free (−51%, P<0.05) and cholesterol-supplemented diets (−38%, P<0.01). The activities of cytosolic fatty acid synthase and the NADPH-generating enzymes, malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, in the liver were lower in the defatted squid than in the control groups in both cholesterol-free (−21%, P<0.01, −33%, P<0.05, and −33%, P<0.01, respectively) and cholesterol-supplemented diets (−34%, P<0.05, −57%, P<0.05, and −67%, P<0.05, respectively). The activity of mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase in the liver was comparable between the control and defatted squid groups. The activity of Mg²⁺-dependent phosphatidate phosphohydrolase in the liver cytosol was lower in the defatted squid (−9%, P<0.05) than in the control groups only in the cholesterol-free diet. Fecal excretion of total steroids was stimulated by the feeding of defatted squid in both cholesterol-free (+77%, P<0.005) and cholesterol-supplemented diets (+29%, P<0.01). These results suggest that the nonlipid fraction of squid exerts a hypocholesterolemic effect by increasing the excretion of total steroids in feces. The fraction also induces a triglyceride-lowering activity in the liver by decreasing hepatic lipogenesis.     

Comparison of Seal Oil to Tuna Oil on Plasma Lipid Levels and Blood Pressure in Hypertriglyceridaemic Subjects

As meat is a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acid docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and Australians consume six times more meat than fish, investigation of the potential health benefit of DPA is warranted. The aims were to compare the effects of seal oil supplementation with fish oil, on measures of plasma lipids and blood pressure in hypertriglyceridaemic subjects. Forty-eight volunteers were recruited from the Wollongong community and were randomly allocated to one of three groups either receiving 1 g/day of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) using one of three oils: seal oil capsules (340 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 230 mg DPA, 450 mg DHA), fish oil capsules (210 mg EPA, 30 mg DPA, 810 mg DHA) or placebo capsules (containing sunola oil) for 6 weeks. Plasma triglycerides remained unchanged in the placebo group, whilst reductions of 7 and 14% (P < 0.05) were seen in the fish oil and seal oil groups respectively. Systolic blood pressure improved by 8 and 5 mmHg with seal oil and fish oil respectively (P < 0.05). The mean arterial pressure was significantly lower after seal oil supplementation (P < 0.005) compared with the placebo group. These results indicate that seal oil is as effective as fish oil in lowering plasma triglycerides and blood pressure.     

Oryzanol decreases cholesterol absorption and aortic fatty streaks in hamsters

Oryzanol is a class of nonsaponifiable lipids of rice bran oil (RBO). More specifically, oryzanol is a group of ferulic acid esters of triterpene alcohol and plant sterols. In experiment 1, the mechanisms of the cholesterol-lowering action of oryzanol were investigated in 32 hamsters made hypercholesterolemic by feeding chow-based diets containing 5% coconut oil and 0.1% cholesterol with or without 1% oryzanol for 7 wk. Relative to the control animals, oryzanol treatment resulted in a significant reduction in plasma total cholesterol (TC) (28%, P<0.01) and the sum of IDL-C, LDL-C, and VLDL-C (NON-HDL-C) (34%, P<0.01). In addition, the oryzanol-treated animals also exhibited a 25% reduction in percent cholesterol absorption vs. control animals. Endogenous cholesterol synthesis, as measured by the liver and intestinal HMG-CoA reductase activities, showed no difference between the two groups. To determine whether a lower dose of oryzanol was also efficacious and to measure aortic fatty streaks, 19 hamsters in experiment 2 were divided into two groups and fed for 10 wk chow-based diets containing 0.05% cholesterol and 10% coconut oil (w/w) (control) and the control diet plus 0.5% oryzanol (oryzanol). Relative to the control, oryzanol-treated hamsters had reduced plasma TC (44%, P<0.001), NON-HDL-C (57%, P<0.01), and triglyceride (TG) (46%, P<0.05) concentrations. Despite a 12% decrease in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P<0.01), the oryzanol-treated animals maintained a more optimum NON-HDL-C/HDL-C profile (1.1±0.4) than the contorl (2.5±1.4; P<0.0075). Aortic fatty streak formation, so defined by the degree of accumulation of Oil Red O-stained macrophage-derived foam cells, was reduced 67% (P<0.01) in the oryzanol-treated animals. From these studies, it is concluded that a constituent of the nonsaponifiable lipids of RBO, oryzanol, is at least partially responsible for the cholesterol-lowering action of RBO. In addition, the cholesterol-lowering action of oryzanol was associated with significant reductions in aortic fatty streak formation.     

Effects of Rice Bran Oil Enriched with n-3 PUFA on Liver and Serum Lipids in Rats

Lipase-catalyzed interesterification was used to prepare different structured lipids (SL) from rice bran oil (RBO) by replacing some of the fatty acids with α-linolenic acid (ALA) from linseed oil (LSO) and n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from cod liver oil (CLO). In one SL, the ALA content was 20% whereas in another the long chain n-3 PUFA content was 10%. Most of the n-3 PUFA were incorporated into the sn-1 and sn-3 positions of triacylglycerol. The influence of SL with RBO rich in ALA and EPA + DHA was studied on various lipid parameters in experimental animals. Rats fed RBO showed a decrease in total serum cholesterol by 10% when compared to groundnut oil (GNO). Similarly structured lipids with CLO and LSO significantly decreased total serum cholesterol by 19 and 22% respectively compared to rice bran oil. The serum TAGs level of rats fed SLs and blended oils were also significantly decreased by 14 and 17% respectively compared to RBO. Feeding of an n-3 PUFA rich diet resulted in the accumulation of long chain n-3 PUFA in various tissues and a reduction in the long chain n-6 PUFA. These studies indicate that the incorporation of ALA and EPA + DHA into RBO can offer health benefits.     

Effects of Seal Oil and Tuna-Fish Oil on Platelet Parameters and Plasma Lipid Levels in Healthy Subjects

Fish are a rich source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two long-chain polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) with cardiovascular benefits. A related but less-investigated LC n-3 PUFA, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), is more common in seal oil and pasture-fed red meats. This study compared indicators of platelet function and plasma lipids in healthy volunteers given supplements containing these different fatty acids (FA) for 14 days. Subjects, randomised into three groups of ten, consumed capsules of tuna oil (210 mg EPA, 30 mg DPA, 810 mg DHA), seal oil (340 mg EPA, 230 mg DPA, 450 mg DHA) or placebo (sunola) oil. Supplementary LC n-3 PUFA levels were approximately 1 g/day in both fish and seal oil groups. Baseline dietary FA and other nutrient intakes were similar in all groups. Both fish and seal oil elevated platelet DHA levels (P < 0.01). Seal oil also raised platelet DPA and EPA levels (P < 0.01), and decreased p-selectin (P = 0.01), a platelet activation marker negatively associated with DPA (P = 0.03) and EPA (P < 0.01) but not DHA. Plasma triacylglycerol decreased (P = 0.03) and HDL-cholesterol levels increased (P = 0.01) with seal oil only. Hence, seal oil may be more efficient than fish oil at promoting healthy plasma lipid profiles and lowering thrombotic risk, possibly due to its high DPA as well as EPA content.     

Effects of dietary phenolic compounds on tocopherol, cholesterol, and fatty acids in rats

The effects of the phenolic compounds butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), sesamin (S), curcumin (CU), and ferulic acid (FA) on plasma, liver, and lung concentrations of α- and γ-tocopherols (T), on plasma and liver cholesterol, and on the fatty acid composition of liver lipids were studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Test compounds were given to rats ad libitum for 4 wk at 4 g/kg diet, in a diet low but adequate in vitamin E (36 mg/kg of γ-T and 25 mg/kg of α-T) and containing 2 g/kg of cholesterol. BHT significantly reduced feed intake (P<0.05) and body weight and increased feed conversion ratio; S and BHT caused a significant enlargement of the liver (P<0.001), whereas CU and FA did not affect any of these parameters. The amount of liver lipids was significantly lowered by BHT (P<0.01) while the other substances reduced liver lipid concentrations but not significantly. Regarding effects on tocopherol levels, (i) feeding of BHT resulted in a significant elevation (P<0.001) of α-T in plasma, liver, and lung, while γ-T values remained unchanged; (ii) rats provided with the S diet had substantially higher γ-T levels (P<0.001) in plasma, liver, and lung, whereas α-T levels were not affected; (iii) administration of CU raised the concentration of α-T in the lung (P<0.01) but did not affect the plasma or liver values of any of the tocopherols; and (iv) FA had no effect on the levels of either homolog in the plasma, liver, or lung. The level of an unknown substance in the liver was significantly reduced by dietary BHT (P<0.001). BHT was the only compound that tended to increase total cholesterol (TC) in plasma, due to an elevation of cholesterol in the very low density lipoprotein + low density lipoprotein (VLDL+LDL) fraction. S and FA tended to lower plasma total and VLDL+LDL cholesterol concentrations, but the effect for CU was statistically significant (P<0.05). FA increased plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol while the other compounds reduced it numerially, but not significantly. BHT, CU, and S reduced cholesterol levels in the liver TC (P<0.001) and percentages of TC in liver lipids (P<0.05). With regard to the fatty acid composition of liver lipids, S increased the n-6/n-3 and the 18∶3/20∶5 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ratios, and BHT lowered total monounsaturated fatty acids and increased total PUFA (n−6+n−3). The effects of CU and FA on fatty acids were not highly significant. These results suggest some in vivo interactions between these phenolic compounds and tocopherols that may increase the bioavailability of vitamin E and decrease cholesterol in rats.     

Isovaleroyl triglycerides from the blubber and melon oils of the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas)

The fatty acid compositions of the blubber and melon oils from the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) have been determined by gas liquid chromatography (GLC). The melon oil contains a high level (60.1 mole %) of isovaleric acid, substantial amounts of long chain branched acids (16.9%), and very little polyunsaturated material (0.5%). The blubber oil contains less isovaleric (13.2%), fewer long chain branched acids (2.7%), and appreciable amounts (10.9%) of the polyunsaturated acids typical of marine oils. The blubber and melon oils were also examined for lipid class composition by thin layer chromatography on silicic acid, direct GLC of the hydrogenated oil, and gel permeation chromatography. Both oils are composed almost entirely of triglycerides, which can be separated chromatographically into molecules containing 0, 1 and 2 isovaleric acid moieties. No triisovalerin could be detected. The blubber oil contains 68.9 mole % normal triacyl-, 24.2% diacyl-monoisovaleroyl-, and 7.0% monoacyl-diisovaleroyl-triglycerides (acyl=long chain acid). Monoacyl-diisovalerin constitutes 86.7 mole % of the melon oil. This unusual compound may play a role in the echolocation system of the beluga whale.     

Effects of dietary lipids on daunomycin-induced nephropathy in mice: comparison between cod liver oil and soybean oil

Although it is well known that dietary lipids affect the course of glomerulonephritis in rats and humans, the precise mechanisms involved have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different types of dietary lipids (fish oil and vegetable oil) on daunomycin (DM)-induced nephropathy in mice fed on soybean oil (SO) or cod liver oil (CLO). Urinary protein excretion, serum albumin, creatinine, total cholesterol, and TG were measured, and glomerular histological changes were evaluated. Antioxidant enzymes were also measured, along with the levels of lipid peroxide, GSH, thromboxane (Tx) B_2′ and 6-keto prostaglandin F_1α in renal cortical tissue. Dietary CLO significantly reduced urinary albumin excretion and ameliorated the histological changes induced by DM. The increase of tissue lipid peroxide levels seen in SO-fed mice was suppressed in CLO-fed mice, whereas CLO-fed mice showed higher GSH levels than SO-fed mice throughout the experiment. In addition, renal tissue GSH peroxidase activity was significantly higher at 72 h after DM injection in CLO-DM mice than in SO-DM mice. Both renal cortical TxB₂ and 6-keto PGF_1α levels were significantly lower in CLO-DM mice than in SO-DM mice. These results suggest that inhibition of oxidative damage by dietary CLO played an important role in the prevention of DM nephropathy in this mouse model. The effect of CLO was closely associated with the inhibition of Tx synthesis.     

Fish Oil and Olive Oil Supplementation in Late Pregnancy and Lactation Differentially Affect Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Sows and Piglets

This study was conducted to compare the effects of fish oil and olive oil supplementation in late pregnancy and during lactation on oxidative stress and inflammation in sows and their piglets. A total of 24 sows were fed a basal diet supplemented with additional corn starch (CON), fish oil (FO) or olive oil (OO). Sows fed an OO diet during late gestation had a higher piglet birth weight compared with CON‐fed and FO‐fed sows (P < 0.05). Furthermore, sows from the OO group had a higher milk fat content than sows from CON and FO groups, and a lower pre‐weaning mortality of piglets was observed in the OO group (P < 0.05). Maternal FO supplementation resulted in increased malondialdehyde concentration in sow plasma, colostrum, milk and piglet plasma than in CON and OO groups (P < 0.05). However, an increased total antioxidant capacity (T‐ACC) and activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) were also observed in the FO group (P < 0.05). Sows fed an OO diet had significantly decreased interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) concentrations in milk compared with CON and FO fed sows (P < 0.05). Moreover, lower plasma IL‐1β and TNF‐α levels were observed in piglets from the OO group compared with the CON group (P < 0.05). Collectively, these results suggest that an OO diet is most beneficial in late gestation and during lactation in sows. However, FO increases the susceptibility to oxidative stress in sows and piglets.     

Effect of dietary fish oil on blood levels of free fatty acids,ketone bodies and triacylglycerol in humans

Although the reduction of serum triacylglycerol concentrations by dietary fish oil is a well-known effect, the exact mechanism of this effect has not been previously studied in human subjects. Therefore, the aim of this study was (i) to examine the effect of short-term fish oil supplementation on blood concentrations of ketone bodies, free fatty acids and triacylglycerol in healthy humans and (ii) to verify whether the observed relationships between these variables would be consistent with reduced lipolysis and/or enhanced hepatic fatty acid oxidation after fish oil supplementation. Twenty subjects (21–23 years, normal liver function tests) were randomly divided into two groups to supplement their usual diet with either 30 g/d of fish oil (n=11) or olive oil (n=9). Venous blood samples were drawn after an overnight fast, before and after 1, 3 and 7 d of fish oil/olive oil supplementation. Blood concentrations of triacylglycerol and free fatty acids decreased consistently after fish oil supplementation; the reduction was already significant after one day of fish oil (P<0.001 for triacylglycerol andP=0.01 for free fatty acids). In contrast, neither of these blood values changed after olive oil supplementation (P>0.10). No significant changes in glucose, insulin or ketone body levels were observed in either group after supplementation. After fish oil, but not after olive oil supplementation, the ratio of blood ketone body levels to free fatty acid levels increased significantly (P<0.05). Furthermore, after fish oil supplementation only, free fatty acid levels were significantly correlated with levels of ketone bodies (day 7 of supplementation: r=0.90,P<0.001) and triacylglycerol (maximum value on day 3: r=0.77,P<0.01). These findings suggest that reduced lipolysis and increased hepatic β-oxidation/ketogenesis may contribute to reduced triacylglycerol levels after ω3 fatty acid supplementation in humans. Turnover studies are needed in order to further quantitate these processes.     

Inhibition of phenytoin bioactivation and teratogenicity by dietary n−3 fatty acids in mice

Evidence suggests that the teratogenicity of the anticonvulsant drug phenytoin (DPH) can result from its bioactivationvia embryonic prostaglandin synthase and/or maternal cytochromes P450. This study examined whether DPH bioactivation and teratogenicity could be reduced by dietary n−3 fatty acids. Female CD-1 mice were fed diets containing 2 wt% safflower oil and 10 wt% of either hydrogenated coconut oil, safflower oil, or a cod liver oil/linseed oil mixture (CLO/LO) for three weeks prior to impregnation and throughout gestation. DPH (55 or 65 mg/kg) was administeredvia intraperitoneal injections to pregnant mice at 0900 on gestational days 12 and 13, and on day 19 fetuses were given teratologic assessments. A similar dietary study evaluatedin vivo covalent binding of radiolabeled DPH administered on day 12, and dams were killed 24 h later. A reduction in DPH-induced cleft palates and a decrease in DPH covalent binding to embryonic protein was observed in the CLO/LO group. Feeding CLO/LO enhanced incorporation of n−3 fatty acids into embryos and inhibited embryonic prostaglandin synthase activity. No differences in maternal hepatic cytochromes P450 activities were observed among dietary treatments. These data indicate that dietary n−3 fatty acids could reduce DPH teratogenicityvia inhibition of embryonic prostaglandin synthase bioactivation of DPH. Presented in part at the annual meeting of the Federation of the American Societies for Experimental Biology, New Orleans, LA, May 1989 [Kubow, S. (1989)FASEB J. 3, A726] and at the annual meeting of the Canadian Federation of Biological Societies, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, June 1991 [Kubow, S. (1991)Proc. Can. Biol. Soc. 34, 117].     

Enzyme-resistant fractions of beans lowered serum cholesterol and increased sterol excretions and hepatic mRNA levels in rats

Feeding rats beans with resistant starch reduces their serum cholesterol concentration; however, the mechanism by which this occurs is not fully understood. We examined the effects of enzyme-resistant fractions of adzuki (Vigna angularis) and tebou (Phaseolus vulgaris, var.) beans on serum cholesterol and hepatic mRNA in rats. Rats were fed a cholesterol-free diet with 50 g of cellulose powder (CP)/kg, 50 g of an enzyme-resistant fraction of adzuki starch (AS)/kg, or 50 g of an enzyme-resistant fraction of tebou starch (TS)/kg diet for 4 wk. There were no significant differences in body weight, liver weight, and cecum contents among the groups, nor was there a significant difference in food intake among the groups. The levels of serum total cholesterol, VLDL + intermediate density lipoprotein + LDL-cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol in the AS and TS groups were significantly (P<0.05) lower than in the CP group throughout the feeding period. Total hepatic cholesterol in the CP group was significantly (P<0.05) lower than in the AS and TS groups, fecal cholesterol excretion in the TS group was significantly (P<0.05) greater than in the CP and AS groups, and the fecal total bile acid concentrations in the AS and TS groups were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the CP group. Cecal acetate, propionate, and n-butyrate concentrations in the AS and TS groups were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the CP group. The level of hepatic scavenger receptor class B1 (SR-B1) mRNA in the TS group was significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the CP group, and the levels of hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase mRNA in the AS and TS groups were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the CP group. These results suggest that AS and TS have a serum cholesterol-lowering function due to the enhanced levels of hepatic SR-B1 and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase mRNA.