Stability of plasma fatty acids at -20 degrees C and its relationship to antioxidants

The fatty acid composition of cholesteryl esters (CE), triglycerides (TG) and phospholipids (PL) was analysed with gas chromatography before and after 3 years' storage of EDTA plasmas at -20 degrees C. In the three lipid fractions the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with 3 or more double bonds decreased by 14% to 46%, while the proportions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and also of linoleate (18:2 omega 6) showed an increasing trend. The changes tended to be relatively greatest in TG and smallest in PL. The initial concentration of vitamin A correlated negatively with reductions of all 20- to 22-carbon PUFA in CE and with that of arachidonate (20:4 omega 6) and docosahexaenoate (22:6 omega 3) in TG. The change in CE-18:2 omega 6 tended to be inversely correlated with vitamin A. The initial concentration of beta-carotene and the change in CE- and TG-18:3 omega 3 and CE-22:6 omega 3 showed also inverse correlations. Vitamin C, alpha-tocopherol and selenium had only occasional and mostly insignificant associations with the fatty acid alterations. In freshly analysed samples the concentration of vitamin A correlated negatively with the percentage of 18:2 omega 6 in plasma CE, TG and PL and with that of 20:4 omega 6 in platelets, and beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol had positive correlations with 18:2 omega 6 in most plasma lipid fractions and platelets. Vitamin C and selenium correlated positively with 22:6 omega 3 in plasma, and selenium also with that in platelets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of methyl linoleate administration on phospholipid fatty acid composition and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in essential fatty acid deficient rats

Methyl linoleate (18:2 omega 6) was administered to rats deficient in essential fatty acids (EFA) and the effects on osmotic fragility and lipid composition of their red blood cells were studied. Even if they remained deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, the fragile red cells of EFA-deficient rats were remarkably strengthened by the linoleate treatment. It is concluded that omega-3 fatty acids are not essential for the maintenance of cell membrane integrity in rats. Since the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio in red cells was lower in untreated than in treated rats, it is suggested that this factor might be responsible in part for the higher fragility of red cells in EFA-deficient rats. Despite the prolonged administration of overload quantities of methyl linoleate, the proportion of 18:2 omega 6 in the red blood cell phospholipids of treated rats was actually lower than that in rats fed a regular stock diet, while the relative content of other omega-6 fatty acids (20:4 omega 6, 22:4 omega 6, and 22:5 omega 6) increased. These results indicate that the metabolic processes of omega-6 fatty acids in treated rats were stimulated, probably as a result of the lack of competition from omega-3 fatty acids for the same enzyme systems.     

Dietary and serum fatty acid compositions among six Japanese populations

Dietary and serum fatty acid composition and their relations were investigated in men aged 40-59 years from six geographical and occupational populations: fishermen, three farming populations, urban clerical and manual workers. 1. Mean dietary intake of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were higher in urban workers than in the other populations. Mean dietary intake of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was higher in fisherman than in other populations. There were no differences in dietary compositions of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids among six populations. However, the proportion of dietary omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to total fatty acids varied: 10% for fishermen, 7-8% for farming populations and 6% for urban workers. 2. There were no differences in serum compositions of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids among six populations. However, the proportion of serum omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to total fatty acids varied: 15% for fishermen, 9-10% for farming populations and 8-9% for urban workers. 3. Significant associations were observed between population means of the proportion of dietary and serum polyunsaturated fatty acids. Within each population, individual dietary intake of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was significantly associated with the proportion of serum omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Significant associations were also obtained for omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. 4. Fishermen showed a higher population means of dietary and serum omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and a higher incidence rate of cerebral infarction compared with the other populations. This result did not support the hypothesis that dietary and serum omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids contribute to prevent cerebral infarction.     

Effect of methyl linoleate administration on phospholipid fatty acid composition and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in essential fatty acid deficient rats.

Methyl linoleate (18:2 omega 6) was administered to rats deficient in essential fatty acids (EFA) and the effects on osmotic fragility and lipid composition of their red blood cells were studied. Even if they remained deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, the fragile red cells of EFA-deficient rats were remarkably strengthened by the linoleate treatment. It is concluded that omega-3 fatty acids are not essential for the maintenance of cell membrane integrity in rats. Since the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio in red cells was lower in untreated than in treated rats, it is suggested that this factor might be responsible in part for the higher fragility of red cells in EFA-deficient rats. Despite the prolonged administration of overload quantities of methyl linoleate, the proportion of 18:2 omega 6 in the red blood cell phospholipids of treated rats was actually lower than that in rats fed a regular stock diet, while the relative content of other omega-6 fatty acids (20:4 omega 6, 22:4 omega 6, and 22:5 omega 6) increased. These results indicate that the metabolic processes of omega-6 fatty acids in treated rats were stimulated, probably as a result of the lack of competition from omega-3 fatty acids for the same enzyme systems.     

Serum lipid profile and fatty acid composition of erythrocyte phospholipids in children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia

This study aimed at characterizing the fatty acid (FA) composition of red blood cell (RBC) phospholipids in children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia, and to ascertain potential association with serum lipid profile and dietary factors. At this purpose, 54 probands aged 6–17 years were recruited. Subjects showed a low omega-3 index (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA?+?docosahexaenoic acid, DHA <4%). Compared to males, females had a trend toward lower levels of total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and MUFA/saturated fatty acids (SFAs) ratio in RBCs. An inverse relationship between MUFA concentration in RBCs and serum cholesterol or HDL-C/triglycerides ratio was found. Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) were positively associated to serum HDL-C levels, and inversely to dietary cholesterol. Fiber intake was positively associated with MUFA/SFA ratio. In conclusion, we provide the first experimental data on phospholipid FA composition of RBCs in hyperlipidemic children, showing sex differences and an overall low omega 3-index.     

Effect of low-saturated fat, low-cholesterol dietary intervention on fatty acid compositions in serum lipid fractions in 5-year-old children. The STRIP project

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of dietary low-saturated fat, low-cholesterol intervention on fat intake and fatty acid compositions in serum cholesterol ester (CE), phospholipid (PL) and triglyceride (TG) fractions in five-year-old children. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: The STRIP project is a prospective, randomised intervention project in which 1062 seven-month-old infants were recruited from the well-baby clinics. 764 children participated in the 5-year follow-up; 202 of them were randomly selected for this study. Diet was assessed with 4-d dietary records. Serum CE, PL and TG fatty acid compositions were analysed with gas-liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Saturated fat intake of intervention children (mean (confidence interval)) (girls 11.9 (11.2-12.6) % of energy intake (E%); boys 12.5 (11.9-13.1)) was lower than that of the control children (girls 14.4 (13.7-15.2) E%; boys 15.0 (14.3-15. 8) E%) (P=0.0001 for the difference between intervention and control groups). The intake of unsaturated fat differed only slightly. Dietary ratios of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids (PS ratios) of the intervention and control diets were 0.44 and 0.33, respectively (P=0.0001). Furthermore, serum cholesterol concentrations of the intervention and control children differed (4. 28 (4.13-4.43) mmol/L vs 4.49 (4.35-4.63) mmol/L; P=0.04). Relative proportion of saturated fatty acids in serum TG was lower (34.9% vs 36.3%; P=0.04) and that of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids higher (13.9% vs 12.4%; P=0.0004) in the intervention than in the control children, whereas serum CE and PL fatty acid compositions of intervention and control groups were closely similar. However, intake of linoleic acid correlated better with serum linoleic acid relative content in the CE fraction (r=0.36; P=0.0001) than in the PL (r=0.27; P=0.0002) or in the TG (r=0.23; P=0.0016) fraction. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention resulted in decreased intake of saturated fatty acids and lowered serum total and LDL cholesterol concentrations. Of serum lipid fractions, TG fatty acid composition was the most sensitive and parallelled the findings in dietary food records.     

Effects of various combinations of omega 3 and omega 6 polyunsaturated fats with saturated fat on serum lipid levels and eicosanoid production in rats

The effects of varying the ratio of polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids (P/S) and omega 3/omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of dietary fats on lipid metabolism were studied in rats using safflower oil (SFO), linseed oil (LSO), palm oil (PLO), and a 1:1 combination of these oils. The hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic effects depended on the P/S ratio of dietary fats, LSO (omega 3 PUFA) being more effective than SFO (omega 6 PUFA). A similar pattern of the response was observed on liver cholesterol and triglyceride. The liver cholesterol-lowering effect of LSO, but not SFO, remained even when they were combined with PLO. The activity of liver delta 6-desaturase tended to be higher while that of liver phospholipase A2 was significantly lower in the LSO group than in the SFO or PLO groups. The aortic PGI2 production and the production by platelets of thromboxane A2 were significantly low in rats fed LSO accompanying a distinct reduction of arachidonate in tissue phospholipids. The depressing effect of LSO disappeared when it was combined with SFO but not with PLO. There were no significant differences in enzyme activities and eicosanoid production between SFO and PLO in spite of a large difference in their P/S ratio. Thus, lipid parameters examined were complicatedly regulated by the ratios of omega 3/omega 6 as well as P/S, suggesting an existence of an appropriate ratio for these variables.     

Obesity and weight loss alter serum polyunsaturated lipids in humans

Serum omega 6 (n-6) fatty acids were assessed in 12 obese women during an outpatient very-low-calorie diet (VLCD). Ten subjects (S10) achieved a mean weight loss of 17 kg over 3-5 mo (initial weight-for-height 157%). Serum was obtained before (baseline) and monthly during the VLCD and from five of them (S5) after 2-3 mo of weight stability (refed) at 21 kg of loss. At baseline for S10, the serum phospholipid (PL) 20:4 omega 6 was 9.16 wt% and differed from normal (12.81 wt%) by P less than 0.0001, but cholesterol ester (CE) 20:4 omega 6 did not differ from normal. During 3 mo of VLCD, the S10 serum PL and CE 18:2 omega 6 fell (P less than 0.005 and 0.0001, respectively). Serum PL 20:4 omega 6 rose to normal during VLCD months 1-3 (P less than 0.01) while the serum CE 20:4 omega 6 rose above normal (P less than 0.0002). During the VLCD, S5 results paralleled S10. However when refed, S5 PL and CE 18:2 omega 6 and 20:4 omega 6 all reverted to baseline (PL 20:4 omega 6 below normal, P less than 0.001). Serum PL 20:4 omega 6 is low in moderate obesity, corrects to normal during a VLCD, but regresses to the predict abnormality after weight loss.     

Tracking of serum fatty acid composition: a 6-year follow-up study in Finnish youths.

The composition of fatty acids in serum cholesteryl esters was analyzed with gas chromatography in 759 Finnish boys and girls aged 3-18 years in 1980 and again in the same subjects in 1983 and in 1986. The mean percentage of linoleate (18:2 n-6) increased from 50.85% in 1980 to 52.60% in 1986, while there was a decrease in myristate (14:0), palmitate (16:0), and eicosapentaenoate (20:5 n-3). The percentage of oleate (18:1) did not change. The stability (tracking) of cholesteryl ester fatty acid composition was examined by calculating linear correlation coefficients among the percentages of each fatty acid at the three study points. For linoleate, 3- and 6-year tracking correlations were 0.59-0.61 and 0.50, respectively; they were of about the same magnitude for arachidonate (20:4 n-6) and lower for the other fatty acids. Results indicate that the serum cholesteryl ester fatty acid composition has somewhat lower tracking than the total cholesterol concentration. The changes in the mean fatty acid composition of the study population obviously reflect a shift from saturated to unsaturated dietary fats.     

Effect of dietary lipid composition on rat liver microsomal phosphatidylcholine synthesis

Effects of dietary lipid on microsomal membrane fatty acid composition and phosphatidylcholine synthesis were examined with respect to the degree of saturation and chain length of dietary fatty acids. Diets containing 20% fat (wt/wt), primarily in the form of coconut oil, beef tallow, or soybean oil were fed to weanling rats for 28 d. All diets were adequate in essential fatty acids. Feeding the coconut oil diet, containing more than 50% saturated medium-chain fatty acids, increased the long-chain omega 3 fatty acid levels and altered the ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids in membrane phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine compared to that in animals fed diets containing a saturated tallow or polyunsaturated soybean oil diet. Change in membrane fatty acid composition in response to the coconut oil diet was accompanied by decreased synthesis of phosphatidylcholine via the cytidine diphosphate choline (CDP-choline) pathway, and increased synthesis via the phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase (PEMT) pathway. An overall decrease in phosphatidylcholine production was reflected in a lower ratio of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolamine in the membrane. Modulation of hepatic phosphatidylcholine synthesis during early growth thus appears to be in response to the ratio of long-chain omega 6 fatty acids to omega 3 fatty acids in membrane phospholipid rather than levels of specific fatty acids or the relative degree of saturation of fatty acids in the diet.     

The interrelated effects of n-6/n-3 and polyunsaturated/saturated ratios of dietary fats on the regulation of lipid metabolism in rats

The effects of various n-6/n-3 (0.45-9.31) and polyunsaturated/saturated (P/S; 0.25-6.08) ratios of dietary fatty acids on various lipid parameters were studied in rats using a combination of palm oil, safflower oil, soybean oil and perilla oil. When the n-6/n-3 ratio was changed while maintaining a constant P/S ratio (1.2), the concentration of serum cholesterol tended to increase linearly with the increasing n-6/n-3 ratio, whereas liver cholesterol tended to decrease. Serum triglyceride level increased linearly up to a n-6/n-3 ratio of approximately 5, whereas liver triglyceride was not influenced. When the n-6/n-3 ratio was kept relatively constant (5.6-6.4), serum and liver cholesterol levels decreased up to a P/S ratio of approximately 2, whereas serum triglyceride tended to be low below this value. The ratio of arachidonate to linoleate in tissue phosphatidylcholine (PC) was also influenced by the n-6/n-3 and P/S ratios; it increased up to a n-6/n-3 ratio of approximately 4, whereas it decreased up to a P/S ratio of approximately 2. The percentage of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid (n-3) in tissue phosphatidylcholine was positively related to dietary n-3 fatty acid levels. Prostacyclin (PGI2) production by thoracic aorta reached a plateau at a n-6/n-3 ratio approximately 5, whereas it tended to decrease with an increasing P/S ratio. Platelet production of thromboxane A2 exhibited a parabola-like pattern with a peak value at a n-6/n-3 ratio of approximately 2, whereas it was independent of the P/S ratio.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Essential fatty acid deficiency in premature infants

To better characterize essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency in neonates, we assessed 63 premature infants by serial determinations of plasma fatty acids for the level of linoleic acid, the presence of an abnormal trienoic acid (5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid [20:3 omega 9]), and the ratio of this compound to arachidonic acid, ie, the triene-tetraene ratio. The data indicated that at age 7 d, 67% of these infants had low plasma linoleic acid levels, 62% showed readily detectable 20:3 omega 9, and 44% had a high triene-tetraene ratio. Infants fed by age 2 d had a normal mean linoleate level at 7 d and none showed detectable 20:3 omega 9 by 10 d. In contrast, infants who were not fed until 7 d showed a very high incidence of abnormal fatty acid status. By maintaining a daily record of linoleate intake, we calculated from regression models that the average amount required to achieve normal fatty acid nutrition was 1.19 g.kg-1.d-1.     

Relationship of diet to the fatty acid composition of human adipose tissue structural and stored lipids

The habitual intake of 20 healthy free-living subjects was determined by two 7-day food records. Documented fatty acid intakes were utilized to examine the influence of fatty acid intake on fatty acid composition of stored and structural lipids in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Subjects with higher intakes of saturated fatty acids exhibited increased levels of total saturated fatty acids and decreased polyunsaturated fatty acids in adipose tissue triglycerides (p less than 0.01). The dietary P/S ratio was significantly related to the saturated and polyunsaturated content of stored lipids. In the phospholipid fraction, relationships were found between dietary C18:2(6) and the P/S ratio of phosphatidylcholine (p less than 0.05). The essential fatty acid content of the two phospholipids studied was related to the dietary fats consumed. Relationships were identified between major fatty acids in the triglyceride and phospholipid fraction. Although diet was found to relate to fatty acid composition, the structural lipids in human adipose tissue appear more resistant to compositional change than stored triglycerides.     

Influences of biotin deficiency and dietary trans-fatty acids on tissue lipids in chickens

1. The combined effects of feeding hydrogenated fats and varying the levels of biotin and linoleate (18:2 omega 6) on polyunsaturated fatty acids were studied in the chicken. 2. Biotin deficiency signs were not exacerbated by feeding hydrogenated fats or by diets low in linoleate for 21 d. 3. Biotin deficiency resulted in proportionately higher levels of 18:2 omega 6 and gamma-linolenate (18:3 omega 6) in liver triglycerides, and lower levels of dihomo-gamma-linolenate (20:3 omega 6) in liver and heart phospholipids irrespective of the 18:2 omega 6 level in the diet. 4. Biotin deficiency did not alter arachidonate (20:4 omega 6) levels in tissue lipids at 21 d. 5. Feeding high levels of trans-18:1 isomers with adequate biotin led to reduced 20:3 omega 6 and 20:4 omega 6 levels in liver and heart phospholipids with compensatory increases in omega 3 fatty acids. 6. The trans-isomers of 18:1 were incorporated into several tissues of the chick. Incorporation was dependent on the levels fed. Very small amounts were incorporated into brain compared with other tissues when dietary trans-isomer levels were high, but were similar when dietary trans-isomer levels were low. The trans-18:1 isomers appear to be preferentially incorporated into phospholipids as opposed to triglycerides in heart and liver.     

CORRELATIONS BETWEEN DIETARY FATTY ACIDS AND LIVER FATTY ACIDS IN THE RAT

Liver fatty acid composition was measured in rate fed 21 fatty acid mictures con-taining different proportions of 12 dietary fatty acids, to determine the correlation between dietary and tissue fatty acid composition. Although the dietary and tissue levels of linoleate and linolenate were positively correlated, correlations between the dietary and tissue levels of palmitale, stearals, and oleats were sero or negative.     

Low plasma levels of docosahexaenoic acid in patients with liver cirrhosis and its correction with a polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched soft oil capsule.

Plasma levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 omega 3) were found to be decreased in 11 patients with alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis depending on the severity of liver damage. In this reduction, we found impaired metabolism of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the cirrhotic liver and poor dietary intake of DHA to involved in the reduction of DHA plasma levels. The deficiency of this fatty acid, which is concentrated in the nervous tissues, may be related to the impaired neural function observed in hepatic encephalopathy of these patients. Oral DHA supplementation was supplied in the form of a polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched soft oil capsule (omega 3/omega 6 ratio = 0.91, and P/S ratio = 1.87). Twelve capsules per day (containing 408 mg DHA, which corresponds to one-fourth of the DHA content in a normal daily diet) improved the DHA contents in the plasma phospholipid fractions of 5 alcoholic patients with low DHA levels.     

Omega-3 fatty acids in health and disease and in growth and development

Several sources of information suggest that man evolved on a diet with a ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids of approximately 1 whereas today this ratio is approximately 10:1 to 20-25:1, indicating that Western diets are deficient in omega 3 fatty acids compared with the diet on which humans evolved and their genetic patterns were established. Omega-3 fatty acids increase bleeding time; decrease platelet aggregation, blood viscosity, and fibrinogen; and increase erythrocyte deformability, thus decreasing the tendency to thrombus formation. In no clinical trial, including coronary artery graft surgery, has there been any evidence of increased blood loss due to ingestion of omega 3 fatty acids. Many studies show that the effects of omega 3 fatty acids on serum lipids depend on the type of patient and whether the amount of saturated fatty acids in the diet is held constant. In patients with hyperlipidemia, omega 3 fatty acids decrease low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol if the saturated fatty acid content is decreased, otherwise there is a slight increase, but at high doses (32 g) they lower LDL cholesterol; furthermore, they consistently lower serum triglycerides in normal subjects and in patients with hypertriglyceridemia whereas the effect on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) varies from no effect to slight increases. The discrepancies between animal and human studies most likely are due to differences between animal and human metabolism. In clinical trials eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the form of fish oils along with antirheumatic drugs improve joint pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; have a beneficial effect in patients with ulcerative colitis; and in combination with drugs, improve the skin lesions, lower the hyperlipidemia from etretinates, and decrease the toxicity of cyclosporin in patients with psoriasis. In various animal models omega 3 fatty acids decrease the number and size of tumors and increase the time elapsed before appearance of tumors. Studies with nonhuman primates and human newborns indicate that DHA is essential for the normal functional development of the retina and brain, particularly in premature infants. Because omega 3 fatty acids are essential in growth and development throughout the life cycle, they should be included in the diets of all humans. Omega-3 and omega 6 fatty acids are not interconvertible in the human body and are important components of practically all cell membranes. Whereas cellular proteins are genetically determined, the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition of cell membranes is to a great extent dependent on the dietary intake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

不同脂肪酸构成比对小鼠血脂影响的实验研究

目的:以小鼠饲料正常脂肪摄入量7.84%为基础,比较不同脂肪酸构成比对小鼠血脂水平的影响。方法:以小鼠正常饲料脂肪及脂肪酸构成为对照,分别设S/M/P比值为1∶1.7∶1.2和1∶1∶1的饲料,其中n-6/n-3比值在1～10∶1各设计4组,共10组, 喂小鼠10 w,测定血脂水平。结果: S/M/P为1∶1.7∶1.2, n-6/n-3在1～5∶1时TC和TC/HDL-C水平显著低于8∶1和10∶1组(P<0.05); S/M/P为1∶1∶1,n-6/n-3为1∶1时的TC和LDL-C水平显著低于其余各比值组(P<0.05);当n-6/n-3为10∶1时,S/M/P为1∶1.7∶1.2的TC、LDL-C、HDL-C以及TC/HDL-C和LDL-C/HDL-C水平均显著低于1∶1∶2组(P<0.05),S/M/P为1∶1∶2的LDL-C和TC/HDL-C水平显著低于1∶1∶1组(P<0.05)。结论: S/M/P现状1∶1.7∶1.2时,n-6/n-3在1～5∶1可维持血脂在较低水平;如脂肪酸构成比为1∶1∶1时,维持较低血脂所需的n-6/n-3为1∶1;在现状膳食n-6/n-3为10∶1时,S/M/P在1∶1.7∶1.2有利于维持低血脂。     

Increased lipogenesis and fatty acid reesterification contribute to hepatic triacylglycerol stores in hyperlipidemic Txnip-/- mice

The effect of decreased fatty acid oxidation on liver lipid metabolism in HcB-19 mice, a mouse model of hyperlipidemia (Txnip(-/-)), was investigated using metabolic labeling. De novo cholesterol synthesis and de novo lipogenesis were quantified using 1-(13)C(1) acetic acid, and liver triacylglycerol (TAG) derived from dietary fatty acids was quantified using dietary glyceryl tri(hexandecanoate-d(31)). Tissue samples were analyzed for TAG, free cholesterol (FC), and cholesterol ester (CE) content. Txnip(-/-) mice had significantly elevated (P < 0.05) serum nonesterified fatty acids compared with wild-type (WT) littermates; their livers weighed more and contained more TAG and total cholesterol. Txnip(-/-) liver also contained measurable CE; CE was not detectable in WT mice. Liver CE content was elevated despite lower cholesterol fractional synthesis rates (16 vs. 31%/d in Txnip(-/-) and WT mice, respectively). FC absolute synthesis rate (ASR) in WT mice (0.28 +/- 0.0 micromol/d) was similar to the combined synthesis rates of FC (0.13 +/- 0.10 micromol/d) and CE (0.10 +/- 0.00 micromol/d) in Txnip(-/-) mice. Lipogenesis, as assessed by TAG-palmitate ASR, was significantly greater in Txnip(-/-) mice (1.47 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.49 +/- 0.06 micro mol/d) and liver fatty acid synthase activity was also higher (7.96 +/- 2.53 vs. 4.83 +/- 1.44 U/mg protein). Both elevated lipogenesis and increased fatty acid reesterification to glycerol and cholesterol contributed to fat in the livers of Txnip(-/-) mice. These data support elevated fatty acid synthesis as the primary contributor to liver TAG in Txnip(-/-) mice, although increased esterification of fatty acids also contributed to excess liver TAG. The absolute total cholesterol synthesis rate was not altered, but esterification of fatty acids to cholesterol provided an additional means to buffer physiologically the negative results of excess fatty acid availability.     

Fatty acid composition of human milk from South African black mothers consuming a traditional maize diet

Fatty acid composition of mature human milk of rural and urban black South African mothers was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Rural mothers consumed traditional diets low in animal protein and fat, and high in carbohydrate and fibre. Urban mothers consumed more varied, partially westernized diets, and two-thirds were overweight. Plasma cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower in the rural group (3.64 vs 4.75 mmol/l, P less than 0.01). Milk of rural mothers contained significantly higher percentages of C10:0, C12:0, and total saturated fatty acids. Fatty acids C8:0-C14:0 synthesized de novo in the mammary gland were substantially higher in the milk of the rural mothers (24.7 vs 15.9 per cent). Conversely, the milk of the urban group contained higher percentages of monounsaturated fatty acids, 18:3 omega 3 and 20:2 omega 6. The ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids in rural samples was 0.36 +/- 0.13 compared to 0.41 +/- 0.15 in urban samples (P greater than 0.1). It is concluded that maternal dietary intake significantly affects milk composition, as demonstrated by the high percentages of fatty acids synthesized de novo in the mammary gland of rural mothers habituated to low-fat, high-carbohydrate intakes.