The effects of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on neutrophils

The studies of dietary fish oil supplementation in healthy volunteers demonstrate a significant increase in neutrophil EPA content, a concomitant reduction in neutrophil AA content, and suppression of neutrophil LTB4 synthesis by supplementation with dietary fish oil containing approximately 3-4 g EPA daily for a minimum of 4 weeks. Suppression of neutrophil chemotactic responsiveness to LTB4 and FMLP was observed after dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation at these levels. Dietary EPA is more active than DHA in eliciting these effects in human neutrophils. Dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis to these ligands through the inhibition of the signal transduction pathway between the receptor and phospholipase C, as demonstrated by the inhibition of chemotaxin-stimulated IP3 formation, in the absence of an effect on the number or affinity of the respective chemotaxin receptors. In patients with RA, dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA resulted in decreased AA content of cellular lipids, with an augmented EPA content and decreased LTB4 generation by neutrophils. Dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA also resulted in augmentation of depressed neutrophil chemotaxis to LTB4 and FMLP. Preliminary findings suggest that the decreased responsiveness to chemotaxins of neutrophils from RA patients is due to down-regulation of chemotaxin receptor number, resulting in decreased signaling via chemotaxin receptors. Dietary fish oil PUFA partially reversed the down-regulation of the chemotaxin receptor of neutrophils of RA patients, but had a lesser effect on chemotaxin receptor signaling and function, probably due to a post-receptor inhibition induced by fish oil PUFA, as was previously observed in healthy controls. Several small clinical trials have each suggested that dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA resulted in modest improvements in disease activity. Meta-analysis of these studies confirms statistically significant improvements in tender joint count and morning stiffness after 3 months of dietary fish oil supplementation in patients with RA. Dietary supplementation with gamma-linolenic acid-rich oils also inhibits neutrophil LTB4 formation, has other anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, and shows promise of therapeutic efficacy in RA.     

Reversal of the arrhythmogenic effects of long-term saturated fatty acid intake by dietary n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids

This study investigated whether the adverse influences of dietary saturated animal fatty acids (SF) on vulnerability to cardiac arrhythmias in rats could be modified by crossover in maturity to diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The arrhythmia model was coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion under anesthesia. Animals were fed commercial stock diet (4% fat wt:wt) supplemented (12% wt:wt) with fat (final diets, 35% energy as fat). Of rats fed the SF diet for 9 and 18 mo, ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred in 71% during occlusion and in 86% on reperfusion. Mortality from VF was 0% after 9 mo on the SF diet but 67% after 18 mo. Dietary crossover to n-3 (tuna-fish oil) or n-6 (sunflower-seed oil) PUFA-supplemented diets at 9 mo reduced arrhythmias (VF incidence less than 30% in occlusion and reperfusion) and mortality (0%). The n-3 PUFAs were most effective. Dietary interventions can be effective even when introduced in mature, high-risk animals and may be of benefit in reducing risk of sudden cardiac death.     

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and immune function

n-3 PUFA have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. However, they have also been shown to suppress T-cell-mediated immune function, an undesirable effect, especially in immuno-suppressed individuals. Studies have thus far suggested that this immuno-suppression may be in part attributable to increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant (especially vitamin E) levels, which can be prevented by appropriate vitamin E supplementation. Further well-designed human studies are needed to determine the appropriate levels of n-3 PUFA and vitamin E supplementation to optimize the beneficial anti-inflammatory effect of n-3 PUFA and minimize their suppressive effect on T-cell function.     

n-3及n-6多不饱和脂肪酸与乳腺癌关系的Meta分析

目的 系统评价n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(n-3PUFAs)、n-6多不饱和脂肪酸(n-6PUFAs)及其比例与乳腺癌发病风险的关系。方法 系统检索Pubmed、Embase、Web of Science、知网、万方等数据库截止至2022年1月1日有关n-3及n-6多不饱和脂肪酸与乳腺癌关系的研究,对最终纳入的文献进行数据提取与质量评价,采用Stata 15.1软件进行Meta分析。结果 共纳入33项针对n-3及n-6PUFAs和乳腺癌发病风险关联的观察性流行病学研究,其中队列研究14项,病例对照研究20项,共纳入研究对象1 077 178例,患者19 207例。Meta分析结果显示:n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(OR=0.933,95%CI:0.858～1.014)、n-6多不饱和脂肪酸(OR=1.018,95%CI:0.914～1.133)与乳腺癌发病风险无统计学关联(P>0.05),而较高的n-6/n-3PUFAs比值会显著增加乳腺癌的发病风险(OR=1.166,95%CI:1.047～1.299,P=0.005)。结论 n-6/n-3多不饱和脂肪酸的比值与乳腺癌的发病风险呈正相关,提示合理的膳食脂肪摄入比可能会降低乳腺癌的患病风险。而n-3及n-6多不饱和脂肪酸与乳腺癌发病风险的单独效应关系尚不明确,仍需更多前瞻性实验流行病学证据进行支持。     

Antiarrhythmic effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

The n-3 or omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are a promising dietary preventive therapy for cardiovascular disease. The main dietary source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids comes from sea fish. During recent years, the subject of antiarrhythmic role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has been investigated extensively. A great deal of evidence has shown that the antiarrhythmic effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is exerted by altering the electrophysiology of myocytes. This article is intended to review specifically this role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as demonstrated by both basic and clinical evidence in animal and human studies, including current concepts on the antiarrhythmic mechanism of this class of polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

Increased n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids do not attenuate the effects of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on insulin sensitivity or triacylglycerol reduction in Indian Asians

BACKGROUND: Indian Asians in Western countries have a higher rate of coronary artery disease than do the indigenous white populations, and this higher rate may be influenced by a dietary imbalance of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that a high background dietary intake of n-6 PUFA attenuates the effects of fish-oil supplementation on insulin sensitivity and associated blood lipids of the metabolic syndrome. DESIGN: Twenty-nine Indian Asian men were recruited to participate in a 12-wk dietary intervention trial. Volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either a moderate or a high n-6 PUFA diet featuring modified oils and spreads over a 6-wk period. After this 6-wk period, both groups were supplemented with 4.0 g fish oil/d (2.5 g eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid) for an additional 6 wk in combination with the dietary treatment. Volunteers participated in a postprandial study and an insulin sensitivity test after the 6-wk dietary intervention and again after the fish-oil supplementation period. RESULTS: There was no significant time x treatment interaction for blood lipids or insulin action after dietary intervention with the moderate or high n-6 PUFA diets in combination with fish oil. After the 6-wk period of fish oil supplementation, fasting and postprandial plasma triacylglycerol concentrations decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: The background dietary n-6 PUFA concentration did not modulate the effect of fish-oil supplementation on blood lipids or measures of insulin sensitivity in this ethnic group.     

Short term effects of dietary medium-chain fatty acids and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on the fat metabolism of healthy volunteers

Background

The amount and quality of dietary fatty acids can modulate the fat metabolism.

Objective

This dietary intervention is based on the different metabolic pathways of long-chain saturated fatty acids (LCFA), which are mostly stored in adipocytic triacylglycerols, medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) which are preferentially available for hepatic mitochondrial β-oxidation and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) suggested to modulate fat oxidation and storage by stimulating the peroxisomal β-oxidation. Combined dietary MCFA and n-3 LCPUFA without LCFA may synergistically stimulate fatty acid oxidation resulting in blood lipid clearance and LCFA release from adipocytes.

Design

In a short term, parallel, randomized, double-blind trial effects on the fatty acid metabolism of 10 healthy volunteers (Body Mass Index 25–30) of a formula containing 72% MCFA and 22% n-3 LCPUFA without LCFA (intake: 1.500 kcal/day; fat: 55.5% of energy) were measured in comparison to an isoenergetic formula with equal fat amount and LCFA dominated lipid profile.

Results

The plasma triacylglycerol (p < 0.1) and cholesterol (p < 0.05) content decreased in the test group. The n-3/n-6 LCPUFA (≥ C 20) ratio increased (p < 0.0001) after 4 days treatment. The LCFA content was similar in both groups despite missing LCFA in the test formula indicating LCFA release from adipocytes into the plasma. Both groups significantly reduced body weight considerably 4 kg (p < 0.01) and fat mass up to 50% of weight loss (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Combined dietary 72% MCFA and 22% n-3 LCPUFA without LCFA stimulate the fatty acid oxidation and release from adipocytes without affecting any safety parameters measured.

     

饮食n-3脂肪酸对小鼠脑脂类中多不饱和脂肪酸构成的影响

【目的】观察饮食鱼油n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(n-3 PUFAs)对脑内不同脂类中PUFAs构成的影响。【方法】使用C57BL/6J雌性小鼠,在胎儿期和幼年期分别给予不同种类高脂饲料(18%脂肪,供能比为36%)喂养-高脂豆油饲料、高脂鱼油饲料和高脂豆油:鱼油(5∶1)混合饲料,以正常饲料(6%脂肪来自豆油,供能比为12%)为对照,时间为4个月。采用薄层层析分离脑组织中各主要脂类成份,然后采用甲酯化-气相色谱分析对各脂类成份中的脂肪酸进行测定。【结果】鱼油饲料喂养改变了小鼠脑内主要脂类中PUFAs的构成。在磷脂中,虽然5种PUFAs在各饲料组之间差异均无显著性(P>0.05),但二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)/花生四烯酸(AA)(1.94±0.41)以及n-3/n-6 PUFAs比值(2.31±0.75)在鱼油组较其它三组显著升高(P<0.05);在甘油一和二酯中,与豆油组相比,鱼油组和豆油:鱼油混合组LA含量(0.31±0.09%,0.65±0.58%)降低,而鱼油组DHA/AA(2.60±1.66)以及n-3/n-6 PUFAs比值(2.31±0.75)升高(P<0.05);在甘油三酯中,与豆油组相比,鱼油组和豆油:鱼油混合组AA含量(1.62±0.53%,1.12±0.36%)和EPA含量(0.98±0.58%,1.34±0.31%)显著降低,而DHA/AA比值(1.14±0.21,1.46±0.58)升高(P<0.05),但DHA含量在三组之间无差异(P>0.05);在游离脂肪酸中,5种PUFAs在各饲料组之间无差异(P>0.05)。【结论】饮食鱼油n-3 PUFAs摄入增多虽然不影响脑内DHA的聚积,但改变了DHA/AA以及n-3/n-6PUFAs的比值。甘油酯类可能是脑摄取、聚积DHA的主要直接来源之一。     

不同配比高n-3/n-6多不饱和脂肪酸对大鼠胰岛素抵抗的影响

目的探讨长期摄入高脂不同n-3/n-6多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFAs)构成比的饮食后,大鼠胰岛素敏感性及血清炎症因子表达水平的变化。方法 40只刚断乳雄性SD大鼠适应性喂养7天后,根据体重随机分为4组:空白对照组(基础饲料)、高脂组(猪油)、高脂1∶1组(n-3/n-6为1∶1)和高脂1∶4组(n-3/n-6为1∶4),每组10只。每周记录一次大鼠体重,喂养16周处死动物,检测大鼠血脂、血清胰岛素敏感性和血清炎症因子(IL-6、TNF-α和hs-CRP)表达水平。结果与空白对照组相比,其他3个组体重显著上升(P<0.05);高脂1∶1组胰岛素敏感性与空白对照组比较,差异无显著性,且显著高于高脂组和高脂1∶4组(P<0.05);与高脂组相比,高脂1∶1组血清TNF-α和hs-CRP表达水平显著下降(P<0.05)。结论长期摄取高多不饱和脂肪酸同样具有肥胖风险,提高n-3PUFAs在膳食构成中的比重可以有效抑制炎症因子表达,改善胰岛素敏感性,预防胰岛素抵抗的发生。     

不同n-3/n-6多不饱和脂肪酸构成比对大鼠脂代谢和食欲的影响

目的研究不同n-3/n-6配比脂肪酸对大鼠食欲影响及其与腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(AMPK)基因表达的关系。方法58只SD大鼠适应性喂养7天后,尾静脉取血。根据血清总胆固醇(TC)水平随机分为6组:空白组(基础饲料),高脂组(高脂饲料),高脂1∶1组(高脂饲料+n-3/n-6=1∶1油),高脂1∶5组(高脂饲料+n-3/n-6=1∶5油),低脂1∶1组(脱脂基础饲料+n-3/n-6=1∶1油),低脂1∶5组(脱脂基础饲料+n-3/n-6=1∶5油),喂养45天,观察大鼠摄食与体重增长,并于实验第0、15、30和45天测定血清总胆固醇(TC)和甘油三酯(TG)含量。于45天处死动物,取下丘脑,用RT-PCR分别测下丘脑组织中NPY、AMPK-α2 mRNA表达。结果添加PUFA的四个组血清TC、TG、摄食量、体重及NPY、AMPK-α2mRNA表达均比高脂组大鼠明显降低(P<0.05)。结论PUFA改善血脂可能是通过影响AMPK表达,从而抑制下丘脑食欲相关基因表达,进而影响血脂代谢。     

Influence of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on plasma lipemic effect of vitamin B6 deficiency.

Since many connections exist between vitamin B6 and lipid metabolism, we aim to investigate the lipemic effect of different dietary intakes of polyunsaturated fatty acids in rats fed a vitamin B6 deficient diet. Diets were either vitamin B6 deficient (-B6) or vitamin B6 sufficient, pair-fed to the deficient group (PF) and ad libitum (N). The diets were combined with normal lipid (LC: soya bean-coconut-palm oils) and fish oil (FO: soya bean-fish oil). The fish oil diet with sufficient vitamin B6 content caused an increase in n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and a decrease in arachidonic acid. In the -B6 group fed a normal lipid diet, the arachidonic acid percentage decreased and the linoleic acid percentage increased; in the -B6 group fed fish oil these changes in fatty acid composition, already consequent upon dietary intake of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, did not show further variations. In the dietary condition of vitamin B6 deficiency, plasma cholesterol content increased in rats fed a lipid control diet, whereas no hypocholesterolemic effect was observed in those fed a fish oil diet. Plasma triglyceride contents were not influenced by dietary lipid quality because, in all conditions, the lower food intake of the PF groups caused a decrease and vitamin B6 deficiency caused an elevation in triglyceride contents which reached those of the ad libitum groups. The study highlights the interaction between vitamin B6 and polyunsaturated fatty acids and the opportunity of dietary intake of fish oil to counterbalance some effects of vitamin B6 deficiency.     

Intakes of essential n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids among pregnant Canadian women

BACKGROUND: Fetal growth requires n-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is derived from the essential n-3 fatty acids in the maternal diet. DHA is accumulated in the developing brain and is critical for normal neural and visual function. Available estimates suggest that 67 mg DHA/d is accumulated by the fetus during the third trimester of gestation. Little is known about n-3 fatty acid intakes in pregnant women, although human milk concentrations of DHA have decreased in recent years. OBJECTIVE: We prospectively determined the n-3 and n-6 fatty acid intakes of 55 pregnant Canadian women. DESIGN: A food-frequency questionnaire was completed at 28 and 35 wk, and plasma n-3 and n-6 fatty acids were measured at 35 wk gestation. The fatty acid composition of approximately 500 foods was analyzed to allow analysis of dietary intakes from specific foods. RESULTS: Intakes, as a percentage of energy, were (macro x +/- SEM) total fat, 28.0 +/- 3.6%; saturated fat, 9.8 +/- 0.3%; monounsaturated fat, 11.2 +/- 0.4%; polyunsaturated fat, 4.7 +/- 0.2%; linoleic acid, 3.9 +/- 0.2%; and alpha-linolenic acid, 0.54 +/- 0.05%. The daily intakes (range) were 160 +/- 20 (24-524) mg DHA/d, 121 +/- 8 (15-301) mg arachidonic acid/d, and 78 +/- 2 (4-125) mg eicosapentaenoic acid/d. The plasma phospholipids had (mg/100 g fatty acid) 5.0 +/- 0.18 DHA, 8.7 +/- 0.18 arachidonic acid, and 0.52 +/- 0.32 eicosapentaenoic acid. CONCLUSION: The low intake of DHA among some pregnant women highlights the need for studies to address the functional significance of maternal fat intakes during pregnancy on fetal development.     

Effects of dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids on clinical outcome in a porcine model on post-operative infection

The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of dietary n-3 and n-6 long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) on clinical outcome in a porcine model on early aortic vascular prosthetic graft infection (AVPGI). A total of eighty-four pigs were randomised to a 35?d dietary treatment with 10?% (w/w) fish oil (rich in n-3 LC-PUFA), sunflower oil (rich in n-6 LC-PUFA) or animal fat. After 3 weeks of dietary treatment, the pigs had an aortic vascular prosthetic graft inserted, and it was inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus (106 colony-forming units). Changes in selected plasma and erythrocyte n-3 and n-6 LC-PUFA concentrations and in plasma PGE2 metabolite concentration were determined in the 3-week preoperative period. Clinical signs of infection, i.e. rectal temperature, hindquarter function, general appearance and feed intake, were monitored daily in the 14?d post-operative period, and, finally, daily body-weight gain was determined in both periods. The preoperative changes in plasma and erythrocyte n-3 and n-6 LC-PUFA concentrations reflected the fatty acid compositions of the dietary treatments given, and plasma PGE2 metabolite concentration decreased in the fish oil treatment (P?相似文献   

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the cardiovascular system

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly those contained in fish oils, are candidates for inclusion in secondary prevention programmes for coronary heart disease, based on the results of recent randomized trials in humans. Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids retard coronary atherosclerosis and appear to prevent fatal arrhythmias; and they decrease mortality subsequent to myocardial infarction.     

A high ratio of dietary n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is associated with increased risk of prostate cancer

Experimental studies suggest omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) suppress and n-6 PUFA promote prostate tumor carcinogenesis. Epidemiologic evidence remains inconclusive. The objectives of this study were to examine the association between n-3 and n-6 PUFA and prostate cancer risk and determine if these associations differ by race or disease aggressiveness. We hypothesize that high intakes of n-3 and n-6 PUFA will be associated with lower and higher prostate cancer risk, respectively. A case-control study comprising 79 prostate cancer cases and 187 controls was conducted at the Durham VA Medical Center. Diet was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the associations between n-3 and n-6 PUFA intakes, the dietary ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acids, and prostate cancer risk. Our results showed no significant associations between specific n-3 or n-6 PUFA intakes and prostate cancer risk. The highest dietary ratio of n-6/n-3 was significantly associated with elevated risk of high-grade (OR, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.18-10.69; P_trend = 0.03), but not low-grade prostate cancer (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.43-2.17). In race-specific analyses, an increasing dietary ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acids correlated with higher prostate cancer risk among white men (P_trend = 0.05), but not black men. In conclusion, our findings suggest that a high dietary ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acids may increase the risk of overall prostate cancer among white men and possibly increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer among all men.     

n-3多不饱和脂肪酸对肥胖小鼠肠道菌群的影响

目的 探讨n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids,n-3 PUFAs)对饮食诱导肥胖小鼠肠道菌群的影响。方法 将30只3～4 周龄C57BL/ 6J雄性小鼠,随机分为3组(10只/组),分别给予高脂饲料、鱼油n-3 PUFAs高脂饲料(脂肪含量均为34.9%,供能比均为60%)以及正常脂饲料(脂肪来源于猪油和葵花籽油,脂肪含量为4.3%,供能比为10%)喂养16周。然后采集粪便,采用16sDNA-实时荧光定量PCR方法检测肠道菌群变化;取结肠组织,采用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-10(IL-10)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)以及单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(monocyte chemoattractant protein-1,MCP-1)的mRNA表达水平。结果 与正常脂饲料喂养对照组小鼠相比,高脂饲料诱导肥胖小鼠粪便中厚壁菌门及乳杆菌属的数量显著增多,而拟杆菌门、放线菌门、变形菌门以及双歧杆菌属的数量则显著减少(P<0.05)。两组肥胖小鼠相比,鱼油n-3 PUFAs高脂组肥胖小鼠的粪便双歧杆菌属数量明显增加,而乳杆菌属数量显著减少(P<0.05)。对结肠炎性因子mRNA表达水平检测显示,高脂饲料组肥胖小鼠的IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α及MCP-1表达量较正常脂饲料组小鼠均明显升高(P<0.05),而IL-10的表达量无变化;鱼油n-3 PUFAs高脂饲料组肥胖小鼠的IL-1β、TNF-α较高脂饲料组肥胖小鼠有显著性的降低(P<0.05)。结论 鱼油n-3 PUFAs可以改善肥胖状态下的肠道菌群紊乱及肠道炎症状态。     

Effects of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, breed and dietary vitamin E on the fatty acids of lamb muscle, liver and adipose tissue

The effect of feeding n-3 PUFA on the fatty acid composition of muscle, adipose tissue and liver of lambs was investigated. Groups of eight ram lambs per breed, SuffolkxLleyn (24 kg live weight) and Scottish Blackface (18 kg live weight), were each fed one of six diets containing one of three fat sources (50 g fatty acids/kg DM; Megalac((R)) (calcium soap of palm fatty acid distillate; Volac Ltd, Royston, Herts., UK) and formaldehyde-treated whole linseed (Trouw Nutrition UK, Northwich, Ches., UK) either alone or with fish oil (1:1, w/w) and either 100 or 500 mg alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg DM. Feed was offered ad libitum until slaughter at approximately half breed mature live weight. The type of dietary fat had no effect on intake, growth rate or feed conversion ratio. The 3.0-fold higher concentration of 18 : 3n-3 in the linseed compared with the Megalac((R)) diet approximately doubled (P<0.001) the concentration in the neutral and polar lipid fractions of musculus semimembranosus and liver, and in adipose tissue it increased 2.5-fold. Feeding protected linseed also increased (P<0.001) concentrations of 20 : 5n-3 and 22 : 5n-3 in muscle polar lipids and both lipid fractions of liver. The linseed-fish oil raised the 20 : 5n-3 concentrations above those for the linseed diet and also increased 22 : 6n-3. Scottish Blackface lambs had lower concentrations of 18 : 3n-3 in all lipids compared with Suffolk x Lleyn lambs, but more 20 : 5n-3 in the polar lipids of muscle and liver. High levels of dietary vitamin E were associated with small decreases in the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids and increases in PUFA. Linseed raised the PUFA : saturated fatty acid ratios in liver and adipose tissue but not in muscle, and improved the n-6 : n-3 fatty acid ratio, as did the linseed-fish oil. Different combinations of dietary fatty acids and better protection against rumen biohydrogenation are required to improve muscle PUFA : saturated fatty acids ratios.     

Effect of increasing the dietary (n-3) to (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio on murine liver and peritoneal cell fatty acids and eicosanoid formation

An incremental increase in the dietary (n-3):(n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio from 0 to 1.93 in diets containing 15% fat (wt/wt) decreased the total (n-6) PUFA content of phospholipids of the liver and peritoneal cells (macrophage) in mice from 43.1 and 33.6 mol/100 mol to 16.0 and 12.3 mol/100 mol with a concomitant increase of 27.6 and 16.1 mol/100 mol in (n-3) PUFA, respectively. Consumption of (n-3) PUFA increased hepatic (n-3) PUFA levels without changing total PUFA (46.35 vs. 46.87 mol/100 mol), whereas macrophage PUFA levels were decreased. The synthesis of sulfidopeptide leukotrienes (SP-LT) (LTC4 and LTE4) was progressively reduced by increasing dietary (n-3) PUFA, i.e., there was a reduction of 76% in mice fed a diet containing a (n-3):(n-6) PUFA ratio of 1.93 compared with the control diet. The 5-series SP-LT (LTC5 and LTF5) were produced in all animals consuming (n-3) PUFA and accounted for 62% of all SP-LT synthesized in mice fed the diet containing a 1.93 (n-3):(n-6) PUFA ratio. Synthesis of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha decreased 81% in mice fed a diet containing a (n-3):(n-6) PUFA ratio of 1.93 whereas prostaglandin E2 synthesis decreased 44% in mice fed diets with (n-3):(n-6) ratios ranging from 0.41 to 1.93.