Effect of ω-3 and ω-9 fatty acid rich oils on lipoxygenases and cyclooxygenases enzymes and on the growth of a mammary adenocarcinoma model

Background

Nutritional factors play a major role in cancer initiation and development. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have the ability to induce modifications in the activity of lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes that affect tumour growth. We studied the effect of two diets enriched in 6% Walnut and Peanut oils that are rich in ω-3 and ω9 PUFAs respectively on a murine mammary gland adenocarcinoma as compared with the control (C) that received commercial diet.

Results

Peanut oil enriched diet induced an increase in membrane arachidonic acid (AA) content and the cyclooxygenase enzyme derived 12-HHT (p < 0.05) and simultaneously showed decrease in 12-LOX, 15-LOX-2, 15-LOX-1 and PGE activities (p < 0.05) that corresponded to higher apoptosis and lower mitosis seen in this group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Peanut oil group showed lower T-cell infiltration (p < 0.05), number of metastasis (p < 0.05) and tumour volume (p < 0.05) and longer survival rate compared to other groups.

Conclusions

The results of the present study showed that Peanut oil-enriched diet protects against mammary cancer development by modulating tumour membrane fatty acids composition and LOX and COX enzyme activities.     

Dietary ω-3 fatty acid and ω-3: ω-6 fatty acid ratio predict improvement in glucose disturbances in Japanese Brazilians

ObjectiveWe investigated whether lifestyle-induced changes in dietary fat quality are related to improvements on glucose metabolism disturbances in Japanese Brazilians at high risk of type 2 diabetes.MethodsOne hundred forty-eight first- and second-generation subjects with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycemia who attended a lifestyle intervention program for 12 mo were studied in the city of Bauru, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Dietary fatty acid intakes at baseline and after 12 mo were estimated using three 24-h recalls. The effect of dietary fat intake on glucose metabolism was investigated by multiple logistic regression models.ResultsAt baseline, mean ± standard deviation age and body mass index were 60 ± 11 y and 25.5 ± 4.2 kg/m², respectively. After 12 mo, 92 subjects had normal plasma glucose levels and 56 remained in prediabetic conditions. Using logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, generation, basal intake of explanatory nutrient, energy intake, physical activity, and waist circumference, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for reversion to normoglycemia were 3.14 (1.22–8.10) in the second tertile of total ω-3 fatty acid, 4.26 (1.34–13.57) in the second tertile of eicosapentaenoic acid, and 2.80 (1.10–7.10) in the second tertile of linolenic acid. Similarly, subjects in the highest tertile of ω-3:ω-6 fatty acid ratio showed a higher chance of improving glucose disturbances (2.51, 1.01–6.37).ConclusionsOur findings support the evidence of an independent protective effect of ω-3 fatty acid and of a higher ω-3:ω-6 fatty acid ratio on the glucose metabolism of high-risk individuals.     

Association between interaction and ratio of ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid and the metabolic syndrome in adults

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of the intakes of ω-3 (including α-linolenic acid [ALA], eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] plus docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), the interaction, and the ratio of these PUFAs with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in a random sample of participants (n = 2451, 19–84 y old) in the Tehran Lipid Glucose Study. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric characteristics, blood pressure, and fasting plasma concentrations of glucose and lipids were measured. The MetS was defined according to the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines.ResultsAmong the PUFAs, the ALA and ω-6 PUFA intakes were inversely associated with the MetS. Subjects in the highest quartile of ALA and ω-6 fatty acid intakes had a 38% (odds ratio 0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.41–0.95) and a 0.47% (odds ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.31–0.89) lower prevalence of MetS, respectively, compared with those in the lowest quartile. The dietary ratio of ω-6 to ω-3 fatty acids was not associated with the MetS. When the interaction between ALA and ω-6 fatty acid was assessed, the ALA intake was associated with a lower prevalence of the MetS, without modification by the ω-6 PUFA intake. Subjects with at least the median ALA intake (1084 mg/d) had a lower prevalence of the MetS, irrespective of an ω-6 PUFA intake lower or higher than the median compared with subjects with intakes below the median for both.ConclusionThe ALA intake was inversely associated with the MetS, irrespective of the background intake of ω-6 PUFAs, in adults.     

Combined effect of sesamin and α-lipoic acid on hepatic fatty acid metabolism in rats

Purpose

Dietary sesamin (1:1 mixture of sesamin and episesamin) decreases fatty acid synthesis but increases fatty acid oxidation in rat liver. Dietary α-lipoic acid lowers hepatic fatty acid synthesis. These changes can account for the serum lipid-lowering effect of sesamin and α-lipoic acid. It is expected that the combination of these compounds in the diet potentially ameliorates lipid metabolism more than the individual compounds. We therefore studied the combined effect of sesamin and α-lipoic acid on lipid metabolism in rats.

Methods

Male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed diets supplemented with 0 or 2 g/kg sesamin and containing 0 or 2.5 g/kg α-lipoic acid for 22 days.

Results and conclusions

Sesamin and α-lipoic acid decreased serum lipid concentrations and the combination of these compounds further decreased the parameters in an additive fashion. These compounds reduced the hepatic concentration of triacylglycerol, the lignan being less effective in decreasing this value. The combination failed to cause a stronger decrease in hepatic triacylglycerol concentration. The combination of sesamin and α-lipoic acid decreased the activity and mRNA levels of hepatic lipogenic enzymes in an additive fashion. Sesamin strongly increased the parameters of hepatic fatty acid oxidation enzymes. α-Lipoic acid antagonized the stimulating effect of sesamin of fatty acid oxidation through reductions in the activity of some fatty acid oxidation enzymes and carnitine concentration in the liver. This may account for the failure to observe strong reductions in hepatic triacylglycerol concentration in rats given a diet containing both sesamin and α-lipoic acid.     

Has a mixture of amino acids and micronutrients influence on glucose metabolism and dietary fatty acid pattern in chronic psychosocially stressed persons? A pilot study

Brain food, e.g. L-tryptophan, antioxidative substances, B vitamins and magnesium are thought to be beneficial for obesity, inflammation and insulin resistance. In the present pilot study we hypothesised that a specific amino acid mixture with micronutrients improves the cardiometabolic situation of chronically stressed persons. Cardiovascular and metabolic parameters were analysed as per protocol in 32 patients. Chronic stress disorders in the same patients were assessed by a psychological neurological questionnaire (PNF). After dietary intervention a reduction of the fasting serum insulin concentrations occurred in the treatment group. An association was found between PNF values, insulin concentrations at baseline and an insulin reduction after 12 weeks. The results support the use of our specific dietary supplement for improved stress management and a decrease in metabolic dysfunction.     

Influence of changes in the Spanish labor market during the economic crisis (2007–2011) on perceived health

Purpose

We analyze the influence of the dramatic changes in the Spanish labor market during the crisis on the perceived health of the Spanish population.

Methods

We use the longitudinal Living Conditions Survey database and multilevel longitudinal logistic models between 2007 and 2011, before and during the economic crisis in one of the European countries most affected by its consequences.

Results

Unemployment (OR 1.75; p?<?0.001), job insecurity (OR 1.38; p?<?0.001), and being part of a household with severe material deprivation (OR 1.87; p?=?0.004) increase the risk of having worsened perceived health. Available income, on the other hand, is a protective factor (OR 0.72; p?<?0.001). Public expenditure policies have little impact on the perceived health. Labor market reforms reducing the degree of job insecurity and unemployment, together with income transfers to those at greater risk of social deprivation, can be more effective in improving the health of the population than the increase of aggregated social or health care expenditure.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence of the influence that unemployment, job insecurity, and poverty exert on the perceived health of individuals, with data collected in Spain after the onset of the financial crisis. In addition, after analyzing public social expenditure, only expenditure on FPS seems to influence self-reported health, although to a very limited degree.

     

Factors associated with the blood and urinary selenium concentrations in the Canadian population: Results of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (2007–2011)

Objective

The objective of the present work is to assess the factors associated with whole blood and urinary selenium (Se) concentrations in Canadians aged 6–79 years old, and to interpret the data in the context of exposure guidance values.

Changes in sodium levels of processed foods among the International Food and Beverage Association member companies in Australia: 2013–2017

Excess dietary sodium is a modifiable cause of high blood pressure. The World Health Organization has targeted a 30 % reduction in mean population sodium consumption by 2025. In 2008, members of the International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA) made commitments to lower sodium content in their products. The aim of this study was to determine recent changes in sodium levels between 2013 and 2017 in foods and beverages produced by companies that are IFBA members (n = 10) and non-IFBA members (n = 6) that were included in the 2018 Global Access to Nutrition Index operating in Australia. Independent Samples t-tests and Mann Whitney U tests were used to test the differences in sodium levels. There was no clear difference in sodium content between 2013 and 2017 detectable for the IFBA members (mean difference 17 mg/100 g, 95 % confidence interval (CI), –82 to +48; p = 0.612; median difference 27 mg/100 g, p = 0.582). For the non-IFBA companies there was a decrease in median sodium content (−30 mg/100 g; P = 0.002) but not mean sodium content (−52 mg/100 g, 95 % CI −106 to +3; p = 0.064). Sodium reduction in IFBA companies appear to have had slow progress in Australia. Stronger implementation and monitoring programs are needed to drive industry action.     

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid intakes and endometrial cancer risk in a population-based case–control study

Purpose

Animal and laboratory studies suggest that long-chain omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat found in fatty fish, may protect against carcinogenesis, but human studies on dietary intake of polyunsaturated fats and fish with endometrial cancer risk show mixed results.

Methods

We evaluated the associations between endometrial cancer risk and intake of fatty acids and fish in a population-based sample of 556 incident cancer cases and 533 age-matched controls using multivariate unconditional logistic regression methods.

Results

Although total n-3 fatty acid intake was not associated with endometrial cancer risk, higher intakes of eicosapentaenoic (EPA 20:5) and docosahexaenoic (DHA 22:6) fatty acids were significantly associated with lower risks (OR = 0.57, 95 % CI: 0.39–0.84; OR = 0.64, 95 % CI: 0.44–0.94; respectively) comparing extreme quartiles. The ratio of n-3:n-6 fatty acids was inversely associated with risk only on a continuous scale (OR = 0.84, 95 % CI: 0.71–0.99), while total fish intake was not associated with risk. Fish oil supplement use was significantly associated with reduced risk of endometrial cancer: OR = 0.63 (95 % CI: 0.45–0.88).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that dietary intake of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA in foods and supplements may have protective associations against the development of endometrial cancer.     

Colorectal cancer and the consumption of foods: A case‐control study in Belgium

A case‐control study on 453 cases with colon cancer, 365 with rectal cancer, and 2,851 population controls was carried out in two Belgian provinces known to differ in certain dietary habits, particularly with regard to the use of butter.

All raw vegetables had a clear protective effect for both colon and rectal cancer; bread was also protective for colon cancer. Starchy foods and foods rich in oligosaccharides (sugar) caused an increased risk for both colon and rectal cancer. No other foods were found to have a systematic effect in both sexes and in both provinces, either in one direction or in the other, except for maize, soybean, and sunflower oils, which were clearly protective in all cases. Among the foods contributing to the intake of fats, there was no effect either for butter, margarine, or fatty meats; the only clear‐cut protective effect was that of the oils having a high polyunsaturated‐to‐saturated ratio. These findings are consistent with our previous findings on the role nutrients play in the relationship with colon and rectal cancers.     

Telomere shortening in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment may be attenuated with ω-3 fatty acid supplementation: A randomized controlled pilot study

ObjectivesExcessive shortening of the telomeric ends of chromosomes is a marker of accelerated aging. Oxidative stress and nutritional deficiency may influence this process. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) supplementation on telomeric shortening in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodsThirty-three adults ages > 65 y with MCI were randomized to receive a supplement rich in the long-chain ω-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 1.67 g EPA + 0.16 g docosahexaenoic acid DHA/d; n = 12) or DHA (1.55 g DHA + 0.40 g EPA/d; n = 12), versus ω-6 PUFA linoleic acid (LA; 2.2 g/d; n = 9) for 6 mo.ResultsThe intervention did not show an increase in telomere length with treatment and there was a trend toward telomere shortening during the intervention period. Linear mixed modeling produced a robust model although statistically underpowered. Telomere shortening was greatest in the LA group (d = 0.21) than in the DHA (d = 0.12) and EPA groups (d = 0.06). Increased erythrocyte DHA levels were associated with reduced telomere shortening (r = −0.67; P = 0.02) in the DHA group.ConclusionTelomeric shortening may be attenuated by ω-3 PUFA supplementation, requiring further investigation in larger samples.     

Role of Toll-like receptor 4 in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion and the interventional role of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Toll-like receptors is a super-family of pathogen recognition-receptors discovered in recent years.During the process of ischemia-reperfusion, the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) combines with lipopolysaccharide and many endogenous ligands such as high mobility group protein B1, heparan sulfate, and fibrinogen. Through the myeloid differentiation protein 88 -dependent and -independent signaling pathways, the products induce the release of inflammatory cytokine-mediated inflammatory response, leading to injuries. ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, by inhibiting the signal pathway activation and target gene expression of TLR4, can influence the function of many immune cells and regulate the body's inflammatory response and immune function. This article reviews the function of TLR4 during ischemia-reperfusion injury and the possible interventional role of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

Conjugated linoleic acid improves glucose utilization in the soleus muscle of rats fed linoleic acid–enriched and linoleic acid–deprived diets

The effect that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has on glucose metabolism in experimental animals depends on nutritional conditions. Therefore, we hypothesized that CLA improves glucose utilization and insulin sensitivity in rats fed different levels of dietary linoleic acid (LA). We investigated the effect of CLA on the uptake, incorporation, and oxidation of glucose and glycogen synthesis in the soleus muscle of rats who were fed either LA-enriched (⁺LA) or LA-deprived (⁻LA) diets, under basal conditions and in the absence or presence of insulin and/or palmitate. For 60 days, male Wistar rats were fed 1 of 4 diets consisting of ⁺LA, ⁻LA, or ⁺LA and ⁻LA supplemented with CLA. Nutritional parameters and soleus glucose metabolism were evaluated. Under basal conditions, CLA enhanced soleus glucose oxidation, whereas increased glucose uptake and incorporation were observed in the ⁻LA + CLA group. Conjugated linoleic acid–supplemented rats presented a lower response to insulin on glucose metabolism compared with non–CLA-supplemented rats. Palmitate partially inhibited the effect of insulin on the uptake and incorporation of glucose in the ⁺LA and ^–LA groups but not in the ⁺LA + CLA or ⁻LA + CLA groups. Dietary CLA increased glucose utilization under basal conditions and prevented the palmitate-induced inhibition of glucose uptake and incorporation that is stimulated by insulin. The beneficial effects of CLA were better in LA-deprived rats. Conjugated linoleic acid may also have negative effects, such as lowering the insulin response capacity. These results demonstrate the complexities of the interactions between CLA, palmitate, and/or insulin to differentially modify muscle glucose utilization and show that the magnitude of the response is related to the dietary LA levels.     

Estimating the Burden of Prematurity on Infant Mortality: A Comparison of Death Certificates and Child Fatality Review in Ohio, 2009–2013

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Introduction Infant mortality is a key population health indicator, and accurate cause of death reporting is necessary to design infant mortality prevention...     

Effect of folate–binding protein on intestinal transport of folic acid and 5–methyltetrahydrofolate across Caco–2 cells

Summary Background Milk products are a potential matrix for fortification with synthetic folic acid or natural 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5–CH₃–H₄folate) to enhance the daily folate intake. In milk, folate occurs bound to folatebinding proteins (FBP). Our previous studies with an in vitro gastrointestinal model showed that 70% of the initial FBP content of the milk product was retained in the duodenal lumen. While folic acid remained bound to FBP after gastric passage, 5–CH₃–H₄folate was mainly present as free folate in the duodenal lumen. Aim of the study To investigate the effect of FBP on the absorption of folic acid and 5–CH₃–H₄folate from the intestinal lumen. Methods The transport of [³H]–folic acid and [¹⁴C]–5–CH₃–H₄folate across enterocytes was studied in the presence or absence of bovine FBP using monolayers of Caco–2 cells grown on semi–permeable inserts in a two–compartment model. The apparent permeability coefficients (P_app) of folic acid and 5–CH₃–H₄folate were determined and compared with the permeability of reference compounds for low (mannitol) and high (caffeine) permeability. Results The transport from the apical to the basolateral side of the Caco–2 cells was higher (P < 0.05) for folic acid (P_app = 1.7*10^–6 cm/s) than for 5– CH₃–H₄folate (P_app = 1.4*10^–6 cm/s) after 2 h incubation to 1 µM folic acid or 5–CH₃–H₄folate test solutions (pH 7). The permeability of folic acid and 5–CH₃–H₄folate across Caco–2 monolayers appeared to be higher (P < 0.05) than that of mannitol (P_app = 0.5*10^–6 cm/s) but lower (P < 0.05) than that of caffeine (P_app = 34*10^–6 cm/s). The addition of FBP to the medium led to a lower (P < 0.05) intestinal transport and cellular accumulation of folic acid and 5–CH₃–H₄folate. Conclusions Compared to the reference compounds, folic acid and 5–CH₃–H₄folate showed a moderate permeability across Caco–2 cells, which indicates that folate absorption from the intestinal lumen is not likely to be complete. The intestinal transport of folic acid and 5–CH₃–H₄folate was found to be dependent on the extent of binding to FBP at the luminal side of the cells.