Ecological studies have indicated that the essential fatty acids in maternal and umbilical cord blood samples are associated with gestational length and birth weight. The objectives of this study were to examine serum fatty acid concentration, particularly omega3 fatty acids, in maternal and umbilical cord blood and to investigate the relationship of serum fatty acid levels in the blood of the mother and of the umbilical cord. Subjects consisted of 30 full-term and 30 pre-term mothers and neonates of both groups. Serum levels of fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography. The concentration of total saturated fatty acids in pre-term pregnant women was significantly higher than that of the full-term group (p<0.05), however, the maternal level of omega3 fatty acids in the pre-term group was significantly lower than that of the full-term pregnant women (p<0.05), Moreover, the concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in full-term pregnant women were significantly higher than those of the pre-term group. In umbilical cord blood, the levels of total omega3 fatty acid and arachidonic acid were significantly lower in the pre-term group than in the full-term group (p<0.05). Based on the coefficient of correlation between serum fatty acids in the mother and the umbilical cord, it turned out that in the full-term group, the newborn's umbilical cord serum fatty acids were not influenced by the levels of serum fatty acids in the mother. However, in the pre-term group, it seems to have positive correlations in terms of the levels of SFA, MUFA, PUFA and alpha-linolenic acid. This study suggests that a lower status of omega3 fatty acids in maternal and umbilical cord blood probably is a risk factor for pre-term birth.
alpha-Linolenic Acid ; Arachidonic Acid ; Birth Weight ; Chromatography, Gas ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid ; Fatty Acids* ; Fatty Acids, Essential ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Mothers* ; Parturition ; Pregnant Women ; Risk Factors ; Umbilical Cord*

Microorganisms provide both beneficial and harmful effects to human beings. Beneficial effects come from the symbiotic relationship that exists between humans and microbiota, but then several human illnesses have turned some friendly microbes into opportunistic pathogens, causing several microbial-related diseases. Various efforts have been made to create and utilize antimicrobial agents in the treatment and prevention of these infections, but such efforts have been hampered by the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Despite extensive studies on drug discovery to alleviate this problem, issues with the toxicity and tolerance of certain compounds and continuous microbial evolution have forced researchers to focus on screening various phytochemical dietary compounds for antimicrobial activity. Linolenic acid and its derivatives (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) are omega-3 fatty acids that have been studied due to their role in human health, being important for the brain, the eye, the cardiovascular system, and general human growth. However, their utilization as antimicrobial agents has not been widely appreciated, perhaps due to a lack of understanding of antimicrobial mechanisms, toxicity, and route of administration. Therefore, this review focuses on the efficacy, mechanism, and toxicity of omega-3 fatty acids as alternative therapeutic agents for treating and preventing diseases associated with pathogenic microorganisms.
Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry* ; Antioxidants/chemistry* ; Bacterial Infections/microbiology* ; Cell Membrane/drug effects* ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Docosahexaenoic Acids/chemistry* ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid/chemistry* ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/chemistry* ; Fishes ; Humans ; Lipids/chemistry* ; Mice ; Microbiota ; Rats ; alpha-Linolenic Acid/chemistry*

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to identify the effect of oxidative stress on the pathology of manganese intoxication through an analysis of manganese concentrations, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, and the compositional changes of fatty acids from the corpus striatum of the rat brain. METHODS: Ten Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into two groups. Five rats in the experimental group were administered MnCl2 intraperitoneally for 4 weeks (4 mg/kg once daily, 5 days per week) and another five rats from the control group were given normal saline. Twenty-four hours after the last injection, the rats were decapitated and, the corpus striatum was isolated from the brain. RESULTS: In the corpus striatums of the experimental group, manganese concentrations increased significantly by 139 % (p<0.01). The SOD activities decreased significantly by 81 % (p<0.01) and the MDA concentrations increased significantly by 138 % (p<0.01) as compared to the control group. Among fatty acids, total n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) increased significantly by 325 % (p<0.01) as compared with the control group. Arachidonic acids (AA) increased by 341 % (p<0.01), and these increases were composed mostly of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Among n-3 PUFAs, with the exception of linolenic acids, eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) decreased significantly by 72 % (p<0.05) and docosahexanoic acids (DHA) decreased by 67 % (p<0.05) as compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the oxygen free radicals produced by manganese may cause compositional changes of fatty acids in the corpus striatum of the rat brain. The characteristics of the fatty acids'compositional changes by manganese were a decrease of EPAs and DHAs (n-3 PUFAs), and an increase of AAs (n-6 PUFAs). These changes coupled with the decrease of SOD activity and the increase of MDA, suggest that manganese neurotoxicity is caused by lipid peroxidation mediated with oxygen free radicals, particularly superoxide radicals.
alpha-Linolenic Acid ; Animals ; Arachidonic Acid ; Arachidonic Acids ; Brain* ; Corpus Striatum* ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid ; Fatty Acids ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Free Radicals ; Linolenic Acids ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Malondialdehyde ; Manganese ; Oxidative Stress* ; Oxygen ; Pathology ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Superoxides

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of manganese on lipid peroxidation and compositional changes of fatty acids in hippocampus of rat brain. METHODS: Seven rats in experimental group were given with MnCl2 intraperitoneally for 4 weeks (4 mg/kg once daily, 5 days per week). Twenty four hours after the last injection, rats were decapitated and, hippocampus were separated from the rat brain. RESULT: In Mn-treated group, manganese concentrations increased significantly in the hippocampus by 222% compared with control group (P<0.01). MDA concentrations increased significantly by 149% compared with control group (P<0.05). Among fatty acids, total n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) increased significantly by 237% compared with control group (P<0.05). Linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acids (AA) increased by 213%, 238% (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). Among n-3 PUFAs except linolenic acids, eicosapentanoic acid(EPA) and docosahexanoic acids (DHA) decreased significantly by 70%, 50% respectively compared with control group (both P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that manganese may cause compositional changes of fatty acids in hippocampus of rat brain. Characteristics of fatty acids compositional changes by manganese were the decrease of EPAs and DHAs (n-3 PUFAs), and increase of AA and LA (n-6 PUFAs). These changes with the increase of MDA, suggest that manganese neurotoxicity is caused by lipid peroxidation.
alpha-Linolenic Acid ; Animals ; Arachidonic Acid ; Arachidonic Acids ; Brain* ; Fatty Acids* ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Hippocampus* ; Linoleic Acid ; Linolenic Acids ; Lipid Peroxidation* ; Malondialdehyde ; Manganese* ; Rats*

The relationship between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and violent-aggressive behavior has been payed attention since 1980s. Their correlation was explored by many epidemiological investigations, and the effect of PUFAs on prevention or reduction of violent-aggressive behavior in different groups were also affirmed by some intervention studies. This article summarized the previous studies and reviewed the history of epidemiological or intervention studies on PUFAs and its relationship with violent-aggressive behavior. It also presented the possible influencing factors in these studies and possible mechanisms.
Aggression ; Animals ; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated/pharmacology* ; Dietary Supplements ; Docosahexaenoic Acids/pharmacology* ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid/pharmacology* ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/pharmacology* ; Fatty Acids, Omega-6/pharmacology* ; Fishes ; Folic Acid/metabolism* ; Humans ; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid/metabolism* ; Norepinephrine/metabolism* ; Risk Factors ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Violence/prevention & control*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between the eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the aggressive behavior in mice. METHODS: Seventy-two male Kunming mice were divided into control group, fish oil group, simvastatin group and aggressive reference group randomly. The control group, fish oil group and simvastatin group were given normal saline, fish oil and simvastatin by irrigation respectively for 3 months consecutively, each mouse was raised isolatedly. The latent period of assault, the frequencies of tail swing and assault, and the cumulative time of assault were recorded at the beginning and the end of the intervention. Finally, the EPA and DHA in brain were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The aggressive reference group was raised without intervention and was evaluated as aggressive reference only. RESULTS: (1) Before intervention, the latent period of assault, the frequencies of tail swing, the frequencies of assault, and the cumulative time of assault were not significantly different from each other group. After intervention, the differences were significant (P<0.05). (2) After the intervention, the content of EPA and DHA in mice brain was the most in the fish oil group, and the least in the simvastatin group. (3) The content of EPA was negatively related with the four indexes (P<0.05) before and after the intervention. The content of DHA was negatively related with the frequencies of tail swing and assault (P<0.05). CONCLUSION There is a correlation between the EPA, DHA and aggressive behavior in mice under stress.
Aggression/physiology* ; Animals ; Behavior, Animal/physiology* ; Brain/metabolism* ; Docosahexaenoic Acids/metabolism* ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid/metabolism* ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/metabolism* ; Fish Oils/pharmacology* ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Male ; Mice ; Random Allocation ; Simvastatin/pharmacology*

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer related death in the world. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that there is an association between consumption of dietary fat and colon cancer risk. Not only the amount but also the type and the ratio of fatty acids comprising dietary fats consumed have been implicated in the etiology and pathogenesis of colon cancer. Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), have been known to inhibit development of colon cancer by downregulating the expression of genes involved in colon carcinogenesis and also by altering the membrane lipid composition. Data from laboratory, epidemiological, and clinical studies substantiate the beneficial role of n-3 PUFAs in preventing colitis and subsequent development of colon cancer. In addition, recent studies suggest that some n-3 PUFAs can be effective as an adjuvant with chemotherapeutic agents and other natural anticancer compounds in the management of colon cancer. In this review, we discuss chemopreventive and therapeutic effects of fish oil derived long chain n-3 PUFAs, particularly EPA and DHA, with focus on synergetic effects of which they exert when combined with chemotherapeutic agents and other natural compounds.
Carcinogenesis* ; Colitis ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Dietary Fats ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid ; Fatty Acids ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated* ; Fish Oils* ; Membranes ; Therapeutic Uses

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between dietary omega-3 fatty acid(n-3PUFA) and omega-6 fatty acids (n-6PUFA) with prostate cancer risk from a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

DESIGN: Cohort studies that investigated the relationship of dietary omega fatty acids and prostate cancer risk were retrieved from MEDLINE, Unbound MEDLINE, EMBASE, OVID, Cochrane Library and Science direct up to June 2011, and were critically appraised using Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment for cohorts. General variance-based method was used to the pool the effect estimates at 95% confidence interval. Heterogeneity was assessed by chi square and quantified by I2.

RESULTS: Eight cohort studies were included for meta-analysis. n-3PUFA, n-6PUFA and their derivatives were not significantly associated with risk of prostate cancer in general. A significant heterogeneity (P=0.023,I2=63%) between studies was noted. After inter-study variability adjustment was done, repeat analysis showed a significant negative association between high dietary intake of alpha-linolenic acid(ALA) and prostate cancer risk (pooled RR:0.915;95% CL:0.849, 0.985;P=0.019) Likewise, a slightly positive association was noted on dietary long chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA+DHA) and prostate cancer risk (pooled RR: 1.135; 95% CI:1.008, 1.278 P=0.036), however when two other cohort studies with data of EPA and DHA both analyzed separately was included into the pool, the association became not significant (RR=1.034;95%CI:0.973,1.096;P=0.2780).

CONCLUSION: The intake of n-3PUFA and n-6PUFA does not significantly affect the risk of prostate cancer. High intake of ALA may reduce risk of prostate cancer, while intake of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids does not have a significant effect.

Human ; Male ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Nutritional Requirements ; Diet ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Fatty Acids, Omega-6 ; alpha-Linolenic Acid ; Fatty Acids ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Neoplasms ; Genital Neoplasms, Male ; Risk ; probability

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential fatty acids because humans cannot synthesize them de novo and must obtain them in their diet. Fish and fish oil are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Significant evidence of the beneficial role of dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids in blood flow has been reported and putative mechanisms for improvement of blood flow include anti-thrombotic effects, lowered blood pressure, improved endothelial function, and anti-atherogenic effects. Edible oils containing omega-3 fatty acids were registered as functional ingredients in the Korea Health Functional Food Code. Although omega-3 fatty acids have been evaluated by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) based on scientific evidence, periodic re-evaluation may be needed because emerging data related to omega-3 fatty acids have accumulated. Therefore, in this study, we re-evaluated scientific evidence for the effect of omega-3 fatty acids as a functional ingredient in health functional food on improvement of blood flow. A comprehensive literature search was conducted for collection of relevant human studies using the Medline and Cochrane, KISS, and IBIDS databases for the years 1955-2012. Search keywords were used by combination of terms related to omega-3 fatty acids and blood flow. The search was limited to human studies published in Korean, English, and Japanese. Using the KFDA's evidence based evaluation system for scientific evaluation of health claims, 112 human studies were identified and reviewed in order to evaluate the strength of the evidence supporting a relation between omega-3 fatty acids and blood flow. Among 112 studies, significant effects on improvement of blood flow were reported in 84 studies and the daily intake amount was ranged from 0.1 to 15 g. According to this methodology of systematic review, we concluded that there was possible evidence to support a relation between omega-3 fatty acid intake and blood flow. However, because inconsistent results have recently been reported, future studies should be monitored.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Pressure ; Diet ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid ; Fatty Acids, Essential ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Functional Food ; Humans ; Korea ; Oils ; United States Food and Drug Administration

BACKGROUND: Several studies have been performed to evaluate the efficacy of dietary n-3 fatty acid for patients with renal dysfunction. While about 40% to 80% of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) complain about pruritus and xerosis, there are few reports on the effects of topical n-3 fatty acid on these symptoms. OBJECTIVE: In order to investigate the possible beneficial effects of topical n-3 fatty acid, oils extracted from chia (Salvia hispanica) seed were formulated into topical products, the effects of which were measured. METHODS: Five healthy volunteers having xerotic pruritus symptoms and 5 patients with pruritus caused by either ESRD or diabetes were involved in this study. A topical formulation containing 4% chia seed oils were applied for an 8-week duration. Subjective itching symptoms were assessed on a 6-point scale, as were other skin functions, namely transepidermal water loss and skin capacitance. RESULTS: After the 8 weeks of application, significant improvements in skin hydration, lichen simplex chronicus, and prurigo nodularis were observed in all patients. A similar improvement was also observed among healthy volunteers with xerotic pruritus. Improvement of epidermal permeability barrier function and skin hydration, represented by trans-epidermal water loss and skin capacitance, respectively, were also observed. No adverse effects were observed in all the tested patients and volunteers. CONCLUSION: Chia seed oil can be used as an adjuvant moisturizing agent for pruritic skin, including that of ESRD patients.
alpha-Linolenic Acid ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Methylmethacrylates ; Neurodermatitis ; Oils ; Permeability ; Polystyrenes ; Prurigo ; Pruritus ; Seeds ; Skin ; Water Loss, Insensible