Young and ovariectomized animals eating diets rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) exhibit enhanced bone formation and decrease bone loss, respectively. Eicosapentaenoic acid, an n-3 PUFA found in fish oil, competes with arachidonic acid, an n-6 PUFA, for the cyclooxygenase enzyme, modulating prostaglandin E2, a mediator of bone mechanotransduction. Whether this diet affects bone gains during exercise is not well defined. We hypothesized rats consuming a high n-3 PUFA diet would gain more bone mass with increased bone formation compared to the rats consuming a high n-6 PUFA diet in response to exercise. Virgin Sprague-Dawley rats (5-mo-old, n=18) were assigned to one of two groups: diet rich in corn oil with a n-6:n-3 dietary ratio of 23:1 (O6) or a diet rich in fish oil with an n-6:n-3 dietary ratio of 2:1 (O3). After acclimation, rats completed 9 sessions on alternate days of stimulated muscle contractions at 75% peak isometric strength. Structural and densitometric properties of proximal tibia were measured using in vivo peripheral quantitative CT. Bone formation rate was quantified on the periosteal the surface by standard bone histomorphometry after intraperitoneal injections of calcein. There was a significant main effect due to diet on total volumetric bone mineral density. The diet rich in n-3 PUFAs also allowed for increases in cancellous volumetric bone mineral density at the proximal tibia independent from exercise, as high as 28%. However, proximal tibia metaphysis bone size and shape was not modified due to changes in diet. The training protocol resulted in a robust increase in bone formation, mass, and area at the midshaft tibia. Mineral apposition rate and bone formation rate were significantly greater in the O3 group compared to the O6 group with exercise at the midshaft tibia, ~36% and ~38% respectively. However, the greater bone formation seen in the O3 groups did not translate over to significantly greater bone mass and size as noted by the pQCT results at the same bone site, because there were no detectable differences between groups. In summary, our data demonstrate that a diet high in n-3 PUFAs independently increases bone density at the proximal tibia. In addition, there was enhanced BFR due to a diet high in n-3 PUFAs with exercise, but those increases did not translate over to increased cortical bone mass or size. These data provide evidence that fish oil consumption with and without simulated resistance training exercise can be beneficial to bone outcomes.

The present research examined the hypothesis that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids would increase seizure threshold in rats in vivo, and reduce neuronal excitability in mouse hippocampal slices. Seizure thresholds were measured in rats using the maximal pentylenetetrazol and electrical stimulation seizure tests following α-linolenic acid (ALA) or docosahexaenoic acid administration. ALA raised seizure threshold in the maximal PTZ seizure test, but this effect probably occurred because ALA displaced DHA from liver to the brain. DHA itself was therefore tested in the PTZ and electrical stimulation seizure tests. Direct administration of DHA by subcutaneous injection raised seizure thresholds in the PTZ seizure test, which models tonic-clonic attacks in humans. Dietary enrichment with DHA raised afterdischarge seizure thresholds in the cortex and amygdala, which model simplex and complex partial seizures in humans, although this effect took some time to occur. In vitro, the application of DHA also reduced the incidence of excitatory sharp waves in mouse hippocampal slices. This effect did not appear to be due to either an increase in GABAergic inhibitory tone, nor to a decrease in glutamatergic drive. The fatty acid composition of phospholipids and unesterified fatty acids were measured in the brain following microwave fixation in order to determine whether the effects of DHA on seizure thresholds were due to its de-esterification from the phospholipid membrane. The assay surprisingly revealed that subcutaneous administration of DHA at a dose that raised seizure threshold, increased unesterified arachidonic acid, but not unesterified DHA concentrations during seizures. The results of these studies support the hypothesis that DHA raises seizure threshold in rats, and reduces neuronal excitability in vitro. The effects of DHA on seizure threshold are possibly mediated by the de-esterification of arachidonic acid, which is known to have effects on the voltage-dependent sodium channel.

The present research examined the hypothesis that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids would increase seizure threshold in rats in vivo, and reduce neuronal excitability in mouse hippocampal slices. Seizure thresholds were measured in rats using the maximal pentylenetetrazol and electrical stimulation seizure tests following α-linolenic acid (ALA) or docosahexaenoic acid administration. ALA raised seizure threshold in the maximal PTZ seizure test, but this effect probably occurred because ALA displaced DHA from liver to the brain. DHA itself was therefore tested in the PTZ and electrical stimulation seizure tests. Direct administration of DHA by subcutaneous injection raised seizure thresholds in the PTZ seizure test, which models tonic-clonic attacks in humans. Dietary enrichment with DHA raised afterdischarge seizure thresholds in the cortex and amygdala, which model simplex and complex partial seizures in humans, although this effect took some time to occur. In vitro, the application of DHA also reduced the incidence of excitatory sharp waves in mouse hippocampal slices. This effect did not appear to be due to either an increase in GABAergic inhibitory tone, nor to a decrease in glutamatergic drive. The fatty acid composition of phospholipids and unesterified fatty acids were measured in the brain following microwave fixation in order to determine whether the effects of DHA on seizure thresholds were due to its de-esterification from the phospholipid membrane. The assay surprisingly revealed that subcutaneous administration of DHA at a dose that raised seizure threshold, increased unesterified arachidonic acid, but not unesterified DHA concentrations during seizures. The results of these studies support the hypothesis that DHA raises seizure threshold in rats, and reduces neuronal excitability in vitro. The effects of DHA on seizure threshold are possibly mediated by the de-esterification of arachidonic acid, which is known to have effects on the voltage-dependent sodium channel.

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No / Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in sunlight has deleterious effects on skin, while behavioural changes have resulted in people gaining more sun exposure. The clinical impact includes a year-on-year increase in skin cancer incidence, and topical sunscreens alone provide an inadequate measure to combat overexposure to UVR. Novel methods of photoprotection are being targeted as additional measures, with growing interest in the potential for systemic photoprotection through naturally sourced nutrients. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are promising candidates, showing potential to protect the skin from UVR injury through a range of mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the biological actions of n-3 PUFA in the context of skin protection from acute and chronic UVR overexposure and describe how emerging new technologies such as nutrigenomics and lipidomics assist our understanding of the contribution of such nutrients to skin health.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) enriched eggs are an increasingly important contributor to the egg industry due to the health benefits of n-3 PUFA. During storage and cooking, n-3 PUFA could undergo oxidation and further cause cholesterol oxidation. This study examined stability of n-3 PUFA enriched eggs fortified with antioxidants (vitamin E or organic Selenium [Sel-Plex] or both) following storage and cooking. Total n-3 PUFA was not affected by cooking and storage, although long chain n-3 PUFA concentration decreased. Overall, both vitamin E and Sel-Plex decreased oxidation of yolk lipids and cholesterol. Cooking increased the lipid and cholesterol oxidation. Four weeks of storage did not affect the cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) content, but increased lipid oxidation. It is possible to make the n-3 PUFA in enriched eggs more stable with dietary antioxidants. / Food Science and Technology

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No / Chronic wounds often result from prolonged inflammation involving excessive polymorphonuclear leukocyte activity. Studies show that the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids found in fish oils generate bioactive lipid mediators that reduce inflammation and polymorphonuclear leukocyte recruitment in numerous inflammatory disease models. The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that boosting plasma levels of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids with oral supplementation would alter lipid mediator levels in acute wound microenvironments and reduce polymorphonuclear leukocyte levels. Eighteen individuals were randomized to 28 days of either eicosapentaenoic + docosahexaenoic acid supplementation (Active Group) or placebo. After 28 days the Active Group had significantly higher plasma levels of eicosapentaenoic (p<0.001) and docosahexaenoic acid (p<0.001) than the Placebo Group and significantly lower wound fluid levels of two 15-lipoxygenase products of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, [9- hydroxyoctadecadienoic (HODE) acid (p = 0.033) and15-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (HETrE) (p = 0.006)], at 24 hours post wounding. The Active Group also had lower mean levels of myeloperoxidase, a leukocyte marker, at 12 hours and significantly more re-epithelialization on Day 5 post wounding. We suggest that lipid mediator profiles can be manipulated by altering polyunsaturated fatty acid intake to create a wound microenvironment more conducive to healing.

Yes / Background: Oral administration of purified omega-3 (ω-3) PUFAs is associated with changes to the fecal microbiome. However, it is not known whether this effect is associated with increased PUFA concentrations in the gut. Objectives: We investigated the luminal bioavailability of oral ω-3 PUFAs (daily dose 1 g EPA and 1g DHA free fatty acid equivalents as triglycerides in soft-gel capsules, twice daily) and changes to the gut microbiome, in the ileum. Methods: Ileostomy fluid (IF) and blood were obtained at baseline, after first capsule dosing (median 2 h), and at a similar time after final dosing on day 28, in 11 individuals (median age 63 y) with a temporary ileostomy. Fatty acids were measured by LC–tandem MS. The ileal microbiome was characterized by 16S rRNA PCR and Illumina sequencing. Results: There was a mean 6.0 ± 9.8-fold and 6.6 ± 9.6-fold increase in ileal EPA and DHA concentrations (primary outcome), respectively, at 28 d, which was associated with increased RBC ω-3 PUFA content (P ≤ 0.05). The first oral dose did not increase the ileal ω-3 PUFA concentration except in 4 individuals, who displayed high luminal EPA and DHA concentrations, which reduced to concentrations similar to the overall study population at day 28, suggesting physiological adaptation. Bacteroides, Clostridium, and Streptococcus were abundant bacterial genera in the ileum. Ileal microbiome variability over time and between individuals was large, with no consistent change associated with acute ω-3 PUFA dosing. However, high concentrations of EPA and DHA in IF on day 28 were associated with higher abundance of Bacteroides (r2 > 0.86, P < 0.05) and reduced abundance of other genera, including Actinomyces (r2 > 0.94, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Oral administration of ω-3 PUFAs leads to increased luminal ω-3 PUFA concentrations and changes to the microbiome, in the ileum of individuals with a temporary ileostomy.