scholarly journals ω-3 and ω-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Obesity and Cancer

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2751
Author(s):  
Stefania D’Angelo ◽  
Maria Letizia Motti ◽  
Rosaria Meccariello

Recently, nutraceutical bioactive compounds in foods have been discovered for their potential health benefits regarding the prevention of chronic disorders, such as cancer, and inflammatory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3PUFAs), including alpha-linolenic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid, are mostly attractive. They are available for the customers worldwide from commonly used foods and/or as components of commercial food supplements. The anti-inflammatory and hypotriglyceridemic effects of these fatty acids are well known, whereas pro-inflammatory properties have been recognized in their dietary counterparts, the ω-6PUFAs. Both ω-3 and ω-6PUFAs contribute to the production of lipid mediators such as endocannabinoids that are notably involved in control of food intake, energy sensing, and food–related disorders. In this review, we present ω-3 and ω-6PUFAs and their derivatives, endocannabinoids; discuss the anti-obesity effects of ω-3PUFAs; their roles in inflammation and colorectal cancer development; and how their action can be co-preventative and co-therapeutic.

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Sargi ◽  
M. M. O. Dalalio ◽  
A. G. Moraes ◽  
J. E. L. Visentainer ◽  
D. R. Morais ◽  
...  

There has recently been increased interest in the potential health effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the immune system. Paracoccidioidomycosis is the most important endemic mycosis in Latin America. Macrophages have a fundamental role and act as first line of organism defense. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of n-3 fatty acids on the production of PGE2and NO by mice infected with Pb18 and fed a diet enriched with LNA for 8 weeks. To study the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on macrophage activity during experimental paracoccidioidomycosis, mice were infected with Pb18 and fed a diet supplemented with LNA. PGE2in the serum of animals was analyzed and NO in the supernatants of macrophages cultured and challengedin vitrowith Pb18 was measured. Omega-3 fatty acids seemed to decrease the production of PGE2in vivoin the infected group fed an LNA-supplemented diet during the 4th and 8th weeks of the experiment. At the same time, we observed an increase in synthesis of NO by peritoneal macrophages in this group. Omega-3 fatty acids thus appear to have an immunomodulatory effect in paracoccidioidomycosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Abeba Haile Mariamenatu ◽  
Emebet Mohammed Abdu

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) contain ≥2 double-bond desaturations within the acyl chain. Omega-3 (n-3) and Omega-6 (n-6) PUFAs are the two known important families in human health and nutrition. In both Omega families, many forms of PUFAs exist: α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from the n-3 family and linoleic acid (LA), dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), and arachidonic acid (AA) from the n-6 family are the important PUFAs for human health. Omega-3 and Omega-6 PUFAs are competitively metabolized by the same set of desaturation, elongation, and oxygenase enzymes. The lipid mediators produced from their oxidative metabolism perform opposing (antagonistic) functions in the human body. Except for DGLA, n-6 PUFA-derived lipid mediators enhance inflammation, platelet aggregation, and vasoconstriction, while those of n-3 inhibit inflammation and platelet aggregation and enhance vasodilation. Overconsumption of n-6 PUFAs with low intake of n-3 PUFAs is highly associated with the pathogenesis of many modern diet-related chronic diseases. The volume of n-6 PUFAs is largely exceeding the volume of n-3PUFAs. The current n-6/n-3 ratio is 20-50/1. Due to higher ratios of n-6/n-3 in modern diets, larger quantities of LA- and AA-derived lipid mediators are produced, becoming the main causes of the formation of thrombus and atheroma, the allergic and inflammatory disorders, and the proliferation of cells, as well as the hyperactive endocannabinoid system. Therefore, in order to reduce all of these risks which are due to overconsumption of n-6 PUFAs, individuals are required to take both PUFAs in the highly recommended n-6/n-3 ratio which is 4-5/1.


2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 1763-1766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasutake Tomata ◽  
Susanna C. Larsson ◽  
Sara Hägg

Abstract Purpose Observational studies have suggested that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may decrease Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk. In the present study, we examined this hypothesis using a Mendelian randomization analysis. Methods We used summary statistics data for single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with plasma levels of n-6 PUFAs (linoleic acid, arachidonic acid) and n-3 PUFAs (alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid), and the corresponding data for AD from a genome-wide association meta-analysis of 63,926 individuals (21,982 diagnosed AD cases, 41,944 controls). Results None of the genetically predicted PUFAs was significantly associated with AD risk; odds ratios (95% confidence interval) per 1 SD increase in PUFA levels were 0.98 (0.93, 1.03) for linoleic acid, 1.01 (0.98, 1.05) for arachidonic acid, 0.96 (0.88, 1.06) for alpha-linolenic acid, 1.03 (0.93, 1.13) for eicosapentaenoic acid, 1.03 (0.97, 1.09) for docosapentaenoic acid, and 1.01 (0.81, 1.25) for docosahexaenoic acid. Conclusions This study did not support the hypothesis that PUFAs decrease AD risk.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisar A Shaikh ◽  
Sabah N Shaikh ◽  
Jason Yantha ◽  
George Jackowski

Background: A relationship of regular fish consumption with lowered incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been appreciated for decades. However, preparations from fish oils, showed mixed results in recent meta-analyses and have raised some doubts on the efficacy of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) for management of CVD. Some of these reports suffer from inclusion of studies with ill-defined patient populations, varying PUFA doses, purity, and formulation, while others have patients on drug milieu or have employed placebo that could have undermine the trial outcome. Very few studies have determined ω-3 PUFA levels pre & post treatment. In this report, we are the first to describe heterogeneity of Omega 3 uptake among trial subjects that could have contributed to the inconsistencies of results. Methods: In VASCAZEN-REVEAL trials, 54 subjects with normal to high blood triglycerides levels (TG 90-500mg/dl) and with ω-3 PUFA deficiency (Omega-Score™, OS, blood levels of eicosapentaenoic (EPA)+docosahexaenoic (DHA) +docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) of <6.1% of total blood fatty acids) were provided 4g/day of 6:1 EPA/DHA formulation (>90% purity) for 8 weeks. Changes in the OS levels pre-and post treatment along with individual fatty acids including arachidonic (AA) were determined and desaturation enzymes activities were calculated. Results: Based upon post-treatment increases in the blood levels of OS, weak (WR), intermediate (IR) and strong (SR) responders were identified. Conclusion: This is the first report to show differential effect of Omega-3 on trial subjects and warrants caution in the interpretation of trial data without identifying the responders.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiyuan Bu ◽  
Yang Dou ◽  
Xiaodi Tian ◽  
Zhong Wang ◽  
Gang Chen

Stroke is the third commonest cause of death following cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In particular, in recent years, the morbidity and mortality of stroke keep remarkable growing. However, stroke still captures people attention far less than cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Past studies have shown that oxidative stress and inflammation play crucial roles in the progress of cerebral injury induced by stroke. Evidence is accumulating that the dietary supplementation of fish oil exhibits beneficial effects on several diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, and cancer. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), the major component of fish oil, have been found against oxidative stress and inflammation in cardiovascular diseases. And the potential of n-3 PUFAs in stroke treatment is attracting more and more attention. In this review, we will review the effects of n-3 PUFAs on stroke and mainly focus on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of n-3 PUFAs.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 199
Author(s):  
Luke A. Durkin ◽  
Caroline E. Childs ◽  
Philip C. Calder

Epithelial cells (enterocytes) form part of the intestinal barrier, the largest human interface between the internal and external environments, and responsible for maintaining regulated intestinal absorption and immunological control. Under inflammatory conditions, the intestinal barrier and its component enterocytes become inflamed, leading to changes in barrier histology, permeability, and chemical mediator production. Omega-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can influence the inflammatory state of a range of cell types, including endothelial cells, monocytes, and macrophages. This review aims to assess the current literature detailing the effects of ω-3 PUFAs on epithelial cells. Marine-derived ω-3 PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, as well as plant-derived alpha-linolenic acid, are incorporated into intestinal epithelial cell membranes, prevent changes to epithelial permeability, inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids and induce the production of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids and docosanoids. Altered inflammatory markers have been attributed to changes in activity and/or expression of proteins involved in inflammatory signalling including nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) α and γ, G-protein coupled receptor (GPR) 120 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Effective doses for each ω-3 PUFA are difficult to determine due to inconsistencies in dose and time of exposure between different in vitro models and between in vivo and in vitro models. Further research is needed to determine the anti-inflammatory potential of less-studied ω-3 PUFAs, including docosapentaenoic acid and stearidonic acid.


2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
William W. Christie ◽  
John L. Harwood

Abstract The chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology and molecular biology of oxylipins (defined as a family of oxygenated natural products that are formed from unsaturated fatty acids by pathways involving at least one step of dioxygen-dependent oxidation) are complex and occasionally contradictory subjects that continue to develop at an extraordinarily rapid rate. The term includes docosanoids (e.g. protectins, resolvins and maresins, or specialized pro-resolving mediators), eicosanoids and octadecanoids and plant oxylipins, which are derived from either the omega-6 (n-6) or the omega-3 (n-3) families of polyunsaturated fatty acids. For example, the term eicosanoid is used to embrace those biologically active lipid mediators that are derived from C20 fatty acids, and include prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids and related oxygenated derivatives. The key enzymes for the production of prostanoids are prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthases (cyclo-oxygenases), while lipoxygenases and oxidases of the cytochrome P450 family produce numerous other metabolites. In plants, the lipoxygenase pathway from C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids yields a variety of important products, especially the jasmonates, which have some comparable structural features and functions. Related oxylipins are produced by non-enzymic means (isoprostanes), while fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFA) are now being considered together with the oxylipins from a functional perspective. In all kingdoms of life, oxylipins usually act as lipid mediators through specific receptors, have short half-lives and have functions in innumerable biological contexts.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karsten-H. Weylandt ◽  
Christoph Schmöcker ◽  
Annika I. Ostermann ◽  
Laura Kutzner ◽  
Ina Willenberg ◽  
...  

Lipoprotein apheresis reliably reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in patients with atherosclerotic disease and therapy-refractory hypercholesterolemia or elevated lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)). Besides lowering lipoproteins and triglycerides, apheresis also decreases levels of essential omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 and n-3 PUFAs) in blood plasma. In contrast, heparin-induced extracorporeal low-density lipoprotein precipitation (HELP) lipid apheresis might increase the formation of potentially pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic lipid mediators derived from n-6 and n-3 PUFAs. The study presented here analyzed lipid mediator profiles in the plasma of patients with hyperlipidemia treated by one of three different apheresis methods, either HELP, direct absorption (DA), or membrane filtration (MDF), in a direct pre- and post-apheresis comparison. Using gas chromatography and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) we were able to analyze fatty acid composition and the formation of lipid mediators called oxylipins. Our data illustrate—particularly in HELP-treated patients—significant decreases of essential omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in blood plasma but significant increases of PUFA-derived lipoxygenase-, as well as cyclooxygenase- and cytochrome P450-derived lipid mediators. Given that n-3 PUFAs in particular are presumed to be cardioprotective and n-3 PUFA-derived lipid mediators might limit inflammatory reactions, these data indicate that n-3 PUFA supplementation in the context of lipid apheresis treatment might have additional benefits through apheresis-triggered protective n-3 PUFA-derived lipid mediators.


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