Periodontitis is an infective disease caused predominantly by gram negative anaerobic bacteria. However it is apparent that alveolar bone loss, which characterises periodontitis, is a result of the host inflammatory response to pathogenic bacteria, not the infectious agents directly. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (O-3 PUFAs) are recognised, and used widely, for their anti-inflammatory effects. Evidence is emerging that their oxygenated derivatives are key chemical mediators in the resolution of inflammation. We hypothesised that dietary supplementation with fish oil rich in the O-3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid would modify inflammatory reactions within the periodontium and thus reduce alveolar bone loss in mice infected with periodontopathic bacteria. Eighty mice were fed experimental diets containing either 10% tuna oil (40) or a sunola oil (40) which contained no traceable O-3 PUFAs for 57 days. After two weeks each dietary set was split into four groups of ten mice, with these groups being inoculated with either a) Porphyromas gingivalis b) P. gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum (combined inoculum) c) Carboxymethylcellulose (control) or d) No inoculations (control). Of the twenty mice which received no inoculations, half were sacrificed after fifteen days and half at the end of the experiment to enable comparative fatty acid analysis of the oral soft tissues. Results demonstrated that eicosapentoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were found in significantly higher proportions in the oral soft tissues of mice fed a tuna oil diet, and that animals receiving this diet exhibited an average of 54 - 72% less alveolar bone resorption in response to the different bacterial infections. Irrespective of diet, the combined inoculum resulted in slightly more alveolar resorption than P. gingivalis alone. The findings of this study suggest that fish oil dietary supplementation may have potential benefits as a host modulatory agent in the adjunctive management of periodontitis. Given its advantages in terms of safety, cost effectiveness and widespread availability, this dietary supplement warrants further research in human trials to assess its ability to modulate alveolar bone loss in individuals with periodontitis. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1313252 / Thesis (D.Clin.Dent.) - University of Adelaide, School of Dentistry (Periodontics), 2008

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 183 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Diets formulated to contain varying ratios of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids were fed to exercising yearlings to evaluate bone activity and inflammatory response. Nine Quarter Horse yearlings were arranged within a triplicated 3 X 3 Latin Square experimental design and fed one of three diets. Exercise protocol was designed to stimulate sub-clinical inflammation and normal bone response. Body weight and physical growth measurements were not different between groups (P > 0.05), and feed intake was similar between groups (P > 0.05). Horses consuming soybean oil (SBO) diet had lower fatty acid profiles (% by weight) of C16:0 and C16:1 (P < 0.05) when compared to horses consuming either corn oil (CO) or menhaden/corn oil (MCO) diets. Though numerically different, percentage changes in C16:0 and C16:1 were not different between diets (P < 0.05). Horses consuming MCO had significantly higher measurements of C20:4, C20:5 and C22:6 over the 28 day period when compared to horses consuming SBO or CO. Percent change in mean concentrations of C20:5 were significantly different between the MCO group and the SBO group (P < 0.05) with no observed difference between MCO and CO treatment groups. Overall mean carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) concentrations did not differ between diets (P > 0.05) nor was there a significant change from baseline values when compared to day 28 of the period. Mean Osteocalcin (OC) concentrations did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). Numerically, OC levels were lower after 14 days, with subsequent increases occurring from day 14 to day 28; however, there was no significant day effect (P > 0.05). Mean measurements of PGE2 and fibrinogen, the two inflammation markers evaluated, did not differ among groups (P > 0.05). However, when fibrinogen data were normalized, horses consuming SBO had a significantly lower change in baseline values of fibrinogen compared to horses fed CO or MCO diets (P< 0.05). In general, horses fed SBO exhibited reduced levels of the inflammatory marker fibrinogen (P< 0.05). No other variable evaluated was influenced by the supplementation of varying ratios of polyunsaturated fatty acids into the equine diet.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2002. / Bibliography: leaves 144-173.

published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Brassica napus is known to contain an endogenous and soluble stearoyl-acyl carrier protein (^918:0-ACP) desaturase, but does not express a palmitic (16:0)-ACP desaturase. Levels of 16:0 are low in canola oil and are associated with enhanced cholesterol biosynthesis in humans. In an attempt to further reduce the saturated fatty acid (SFA) content of canola oil, B. Napus L. cv Westar was transformed with a cDNA encoding a ^916:0-ACP desaturase from cat's claw (Doxantha unguis-cati L.). Arabidopsis thaliana was also transformed with this cDNA. Transformation of both oilseeds resulted in increased production of palmitoleic acid (^16:1) and many other effects of fatty acid composition. Overall, the SFA content did not decrease in either oilseed and investigation to why this effect occurred was examined using transgenic B. napus. Molecular genetic testing on second generation B. napus also determined the plants contained the cDNA of interest and were transcribing the cDNA. / xxi, 155 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.

The effect of fatty acids on energy metabolism has been shown to be dependent on their acyl structure. In humans, following short term feeding, medium chain triglycerides (MCT) have been shown to increase the thermic effect of food and fat oxidation as compared to long chain triglycerides (LCT). Short term results in animals have been comparable. In longer term, animal studies, MCT vs. LCT have resulted in less weight gain during overfeeding or refeeding after weight loss. However, observations of the longer term effects of MCT in humans beyond 7 days are sparse and inconclusive. Hence, the objective of the thesis was to examine the effects of MCT vs. LCT on total energy expenditure, its components basal metabolic rate and thermic effect of food, and on substrate oxidation, including both exogenous and endogenous fat oxidation for a period of one week, following one week of prefeeding. Twelve healthy college aged women were fed eucaloric 14 days diets enriched with either MCT or LCT in a randomized cross over design, with a two week washout period. Doubly labelled water, respiratory gas exchange analysis, and 1-13C labelled myristic, palmitic, and stearic acids were used to measure total energy expenditure, components of energy expenditure, and endogenous long chain fatty acid oxidation, respectively. The presence of MCT in the diet significantly increased endogenous oxidation of labelled long chain fatty acids following 14 days of feeding, while the presence of LCT did not. Respiratory gas exchange analysis showed significantly increased basal metabolic rate on day 7 of MCT vs. LCT feeding, but this effect of diet was reduced to a trend by day 14. Dietary treatment did not result in significant differences in total energy expenditure during the second week of feeding. These results suggest that, after two weeks of feeding, MCT continue to affect energy metabolism through increased endogenous fat oxidation and a suggestion of heightened basal metabolic rate, but

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 237-257). / xx, 257 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Investigates the mechanisms underlying the antiarrhythmic effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids using adult rat ventricular cardiac myocytes. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Adelaide University, Dept. of Physiology, 2001

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Australia, 2007.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 1999. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains x, 125 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.