A series of experiments were conducted to explore factors affecting transfer of value-added ingredients from the diet to table eggs, with the goal of contributing to improvements in the enrichment process. Flaxseed-based ω-3 PUFA enrichment did not reduce lutein enrichment. The combine enrichment of lutein and ω-3 PUFA had decresed lipid oxidation potential. Also, when fed a ω-3 PUFA diet, birds scored as energetic Efficient had longer and wider villi, resulting in greater absorptive surface area/villi than Non-efficient hens. However, histomorphological differences did not affect transfer of ω-3 PUFA from diet to egg. Finally, birds fed graded levels of ω-3 PUFA to characterize change in lipid profile of egg and blood plasma in time reached a plateau in total ω-3 PUFA/egg in 5.9 to 6.6d, with High birds reaching the target of 300 mg/egg in 5d. Egg enrichment can be modulated by changes to the hen diet. / Animal Science

Atherosclerosis, an inflammatory disease characterized by plaque formation in the arteries, commonly occurs in mammals, including humans, and some avian species. Polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce known mammalian risk factors associated with the development of atherosclerosis in mammals. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have also been linked to improving retinal, neurological, and brain development and functioning. In order to assess the effects of n-3 PUFA on potential risk factors for atherosclerosis in avian species and learning ability, a series of studies were conducted in Monk parrots: 1) alterations comparing a high linoleic acid diet with -linolenic acid (ALA) diet on lipid metabolism, fatty acid conversions, and lipoproteins, 2) the dose response of ALA and comparison with a high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) diet on lipid metabolism, fatty acid conversions, and markers of oxidation, 3) the effect of a high DHA diet on learning ability, and 4) assessment of growing energy requirement estimations to improve adult health. Monk parrots were able to convert ALA to DHA and also retro-convert DHA/docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Feeding Monk parrots a high ALA diet resulted in a shift in the peak density of the high-density lipoproteins after 70 days. Decreased superoxide dismutase and increased malondialdehyde were observed by day 63 regardless of dietary n-3 PUFA levels or source. Higher plasma phospholipid DHA levels at day 28 were obtained when n-3 PUFA were provided in the diet as DHA rather than ALA (at equivalent amounts). Total plasma cholesterol, free cholesterol, esterified cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations were not altered by increasing dietary n-3 PUFA. An effect of DHA on learning ability could not be concluded due to decreased power from adjusting for an age effect. Additionally, the growing energy needs for Monk parrots through day 23 after hatching were estimated and, unlike previous general equations, accounted for changes in growth energy requirements. These closer energy estimations that accounted for growth energy variations will hopefully prevent negative fluctuations in growth rate which were observed in the study and prevent obese fledgling and young adult birds. In conclusion, Monk parrots are able to benefit from dietary n-3 PUFA provided as either ALA or DHA. Although, dietary DHA may provide more protection against the development of atherosclerosis due to its higher accumulation into plasma phospholipids and retro-conversion to EPA. However, caution should be used when feeding PUFA, as they increase oxidation in the body. While many risk factors for atherosclerosis have been determined in humans and other mammals, some of these do not appear to hold for Monk parrots and possibly other avian species prone to atherosclerosis.

The primary objective of this study was to determine if the intake of omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA), from self-selected foods and supplements, was associated with a reduction in muscle soreness in collegiate rowers. Several groups of collegiate rowers were identified as potential subjects and, using an IRB-approved protocol, 61 volunteers from this subject pool agreed to participate in the study. At the end of the first week of fall practice, subjects were asked to provide information on age, weight, height, ethnicity, rowing level, sun exposure, exercise regimen, pre- and peak-soreness and exertion levels, hydration status, and food/supplement intake. A Talag scale was used to determine the severity of muscle soreness, and a modified Borg scale was used to determine the exertion intensity level. A food frequency questionnaire using a 10-point Likert scale was used to assess food and supplement intake, with a special focus on O3FA. Subjects with a higher intake of EPA/DHA rich bottled supplemental fish oil, taken by spoon, had significantly higher soreness levels than those with lower intakes (p = 0.028). Higher soreness was also significantly associated with higher intake of EPA/DHA rich fish oil capsules (p < 0.001). Lower soreness was significantly associated with higher fruit intake (p = 0.030). These findings suggest that high intakes of O3FA from fish oils, regardless of liquid or capsule form, may be contraindicated for collegiate rowers wishing to reduce muscle soreness. Recommending fruit intake may be warranted for rowers wishing to reduce muscle soreness.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common and serious arrhythmia. Current treatments are of limited efficacy, and most do not treat the atrial structural remodeling (hypertrophy and fibrosis) that underlies most clinical AF. Our group has created an experimental dog model of atrial mechanical stretch called the simultaneous atrial and ventricular pacing (SAVP) model (which results in atrial fibrosis and susceptibility to AF) in order to study novel treatments for structural remodeling induced AF. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3 PUFAs), particularly the marine derived forms eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been shown to be effective in treating arrhythmias (including AF) in some animal studies and clinical trials. The mechanism for this effect of n3 PUFAs is not well understood. In this study we sought to characterize the n3 PUFA effect on AF vulnerability, atrial electrophysiology, histology, and gene expression, and determine relevant mechanisms. Dogs were paced for 0, 2, 7 or 14 days and given n3 PUFAs, olive oil or nothing. Prophylactic n3 PUFAs significantly reduced both AF vulnerability and conduction slowing in SAVP dogs (%AF inducibility: 9.2±8.8 vs. 4.7±6.3; global atrial conduction time: 75±11ms vs. 65±6ms [SAVP 14 days vs. SAVP 14 days with n3 PUFAs, P<0.05 for both comparisons]). Prophylactic n3 PUFAs also reduced inflammation (mean CD18 grade: 2.1±0.8 vs. 1.3±0.6 [SAVP 2 days vs. SAVP 2 days with n3 PUFAs, P=0.055]), hypertrophy (myocyte cross-sectional area: 498±64µm2 vs. 322±111µm2 [SAVP 14 days vs. SAVP 14 days with n3 PUFAs, P<0.05]), and fibrosis (%collagen area vs. unpaced dogs: 178±58 vs. 127±37 [SAVP 14 days vs. SAVP 14 days with n3 PUFAs, P<0.05]). N3 PUFAs were also found to reduce the expression of structural remodeling related molecules such as TGF-β, EGF, ERK and Akt. N3 PUFAs given after some pacing had already occurred were found to be less effective at reducing AF vulnerability and structural remodeling. The results of this study suggest that, in the SAVP model, n3 PUFAs reduce vulnerability to AF by attenuation of adverse structural remodeling at the genetic level.

In December of 2010, Costco v. Omega came down from the Supreme Court. The Switzerland-based watchmaker Omega sold Seamaster Collection watches, which were affixed with its copyrighted logo, in the United States as well as in foreign markets. Omega priced watches in the United States market higher than elsewhere. Costco obtained Omega’s watches from a third party that had purchased the watches abroad, then sold them at its membership warehouses for cheaper prices than authorized Omega dealers in the United States. Consequently, Omega sued Costco for copyright infringement. Costco pursued a defense based on the first sale doctrine in response. While from a legal perspective the case was a copyright dispute, this categorization does not make sense from an economic view. Rather, the application of economic models reveals that the core issue in Costco centers about price discrimination, not copyright. This thesis uses a law and economics framework to analyze the facts of and the decision in Costco to determine whether the outcome was welfare maximizing and to assess the implications that the case will have on copyright law in the future.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common and serious arrhythmia. Current treatments are of limited efficacy, and most do not treat the atrial structural remodeling (hypertrophy and fibrosis) that underlies most clinical AF. Our group has created an experimental dog model of atrial mechanical stretch called the simultaneous atrial and ventricular pacing (SAVP) model (which results in atrial fibrosis and susceptibility to AF) in order to study novel treatments for structural remodeling induced AF. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3 PUFAs), particularly the marine derived forms eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been shown to be effective in treating arrhythmias (including AF) in some animal studies and clinical trials. The mechanism for this effect of n3 PUFAs is not well understood. In this study we sought to characterize the n3 PUFA effect on AF vulnerability, atrial electrophysiology, histology, and gene expression, and determine relevant mechanisms. Dogs were paced for 0, 2, 7 or 14 days and given n3 PUFAs, olive oil or nothing. Prophylactic n3 PUFAs significantly reduced both AF vulnerability and conduction slowing in SAVP dogs (%AF inducibility: 9.2±8.8 vs. 4.7±6.3; global atrial conduction time: 75±11ms vs. 65±6ms [SAVP 14 days vs. SAVP 14 days with n3 PUFAs, P<0.05 for both comparisons]). Prophylactic n3 PUFAs also reduced inflammation (mean CD18 grade: 2.1±0.8 vs. 1.3±0.6 [SAVP 2 days vs. SAVP 2 days with n3 PUFAs, P=0.055]), hypertrophy (myocyte cross-sectional area: 498±64µm2 vs. 322±111µm2 [SAVP 14 days vs. SAVP 14 days with n3 PUFAs, P<0.05]), and fibrosis (%collagen area vs. unpaced dogs: 178±58 vs. 127±37 [SAVP 14 days vs. SAVP 14 days with n3 PUFAs, P<0.05]). N3 PUFAs were also found to reduce the expression of structural remodeling related molecules such as TGF-β, EGF, ERK and Akt. N3 PUFAs given after some pacing had already occurred were found to be less effective at reducing AF vulnerability and structural remodeling. The results of this study suggest that, in the SAVP model, n3 PUFAs reduce vulnerability to AF by attenuation of adverse structural remodeling at the genetic level.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) required for fetal neurodevelopment. Increased DHA levels are associated with 17β-estradiol levels, as DHA is higher in women relative to men and in pregnant relative to non-pregnant women, suggesting a maternal adaptation to supply DHA to the fetus. DHA can be synthesized in the body from shorter n-3 PUFA through sequential elongation-desaturation, with Δ6-desaturase being the rate-limiting enzyme. The goal of the present thesis was to characterize the mechanism underlying higher DHA in situations of altered 17β-estradiol status by examining the expression of DHA synthesis enzymes in rodent models. Fatty acid composition of several lipid classes was measured by gas chromatography and enzyme expression was measured by RT-qPCR and immunoblotting. Hepatic Δ6-desaturase and phospholipid DHA was higher in female relative to male, and in pregnant relative to non-pregnant rats. Similarly, 17β-estradiol supplementation of ovariectomized rats resulted in increased hepatic Δ6-desaturase expression and DHA content, while ovariectomy itself had no effects on DHA levels despite controlling for hyperphagia. Mice deficient in the DNA binding activity of estrogen receptor α (ERα) had no differences in hepatic Δ6-desaturase or DHA levels. These results suggest that 17β-estradiol mediates the higher DHA levels in females and during pregnancy through increasing hepatic Δ6-desaturase expression, although the effects of removing 17β-estradiol signalling through ovariectomy or ERα disruption are less clear. This work helps to explain findings of altered DHA status in response to changes in 17β-estradiol concentrations, possibly resulting in more appropriately tailored dietary DHA recommendations. Also, increased understanding of the regulation of DHA synthesis may improve DHA yields in agri/aquaculture and enable increased content of DHA in the food supply.

Fatty acid profiling provides information on dietary intakes and an understanding of lipid metabolism. High throughput techniques such as fingertip prick (FTP) sampling has gained popularity in recent years as a simplified method for basic research, and could be further used to assess disease risk in the population, and other similar high-throughput techniques have the potential to assist in the monitoring and labeling of fatty acids in the food supply. With the advancement of high-throughput sample analysis techniques, a more complete understanding of storage stability is required as a larger volume of samples are produced with equal amounts of time to analyze them. Energy-assisted analysis techniques have the potential to help ameliorate some of these issues. Presently, FTP blood, whole blood and salmon storage stability is assessed under various storage conditions, and both microwave-assisted direct transesterification and indirect ultrasound-assisted extraction techniques are assessed. It is determined that storage of FTP blood and whole blood samples at -20°C results in significant and nearly complete highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) degradation compared to all other temperatures examined. This degradation is determined to be the result of hemolysis and subsequent iron release from erythrocytes initiating fatty acid peroxidation reactions. Direct transesterification of FTP blood is reduced from as long as three hours to one minute with microwave-assisted energy and fatty acid extraction from ground flaxseed is reduced to 40 minutes from as long as 24 hours without compromising fatty acid profiles. Results of the current study provides insight into the storage stability of food sample and blood samples collected via high-throughput techniques, and provides support for the utilization of further high-throughput energy-assisted analytical methods that can help to minimize the potentially detrimental effects that long-term storage can have on fatty acid profiles.

Thesis (M. Med. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 47-49).

Revised; Originally published: 05/2008 / The article provides information about different types of dietary fats and promotes consumption of healthy fats in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The prevalence of fat-free products in grocery stores may give some health-conscious consumers the perception that all dietary fats are unhealthy. However, fats are absolutely vital for proper physiological functioning, and it is imperative that fats are included in a healthy diet. Fats are classified as saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated. Both types of unsaturated fats, when consumed in moderation, can help lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease, especially when they replace saturated and trans fats. We provide tips for selecting healthier fats, along with a guide for consuming appropriate portions of fat.