Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Age‐Related Membrane Changes in the Heart

Abstract

Age-associated modification of cardiac membrane composition and related metabolic processes are major factors underlying the reduced capacity for invoking intrinsic cardioprotective survival mechanisms. In this brief review we examine some of these key membrane lipid modifications, which include alterations in the type and proportion of long-carbon chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). These changes have profound consequences on the efficacy of membrane proteins and lipids involved with numerous processes including ion homeostasis, intracellular signal transduction, free radical metabolism, and mitochondrial energy production. The resultant postoxidative modification of lipids, proteins, and DNA leads to a reduction in capacity for repair and ultimately worsening cellular dysfunction. However, some age-related detrimental adaptations may be counteracted by selectively manipulating membrane lipid and protein composition via dietary treatment with key omega-3 PUFAs. Such pervasive treatment results in manipulation of cellular function at multiple levels from cell membrane to the genome.

Effects of fatty acid unsaturation numbers on membrane fluidity and α-secretase-dependent amyloid precursor protein processing

“…Since fatty acids modulate membrane organization and functions (Yehuda et al, 2002; Stillwell et al, 2005; Shaikh and Edidin, 2006; Pepe, 2007; Shaikh and Edidin, 2008), they may affect APP processing. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that the effects of fatty acids on membrane fluidity and sAPP α secretion depend on the number of double bonds (i.e.…”

Association of Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels With Telomeric Aging in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

“…Reactive oxygen species specifically target the GGG triplets in telomeric DNA and result in increased telomere attrition during mitosis 46. Marine omega-3 fatty acids are incorporated into membrane phospholipids, as is arachidonic acid 47. Although EPA and DHA are more readily oxidized ex vivo than arachidonic acid, supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids has been associated with lower levels of F2-isoprostanes, an established standard for measurement of systemic oxidative stress, and with higher levels of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase 44,48.…”

Pacemaker Cell and Atrial Function: Unravelling How Calcium Initiates and Regulates the Heart Beat and How Ionic Dysfunction, ‘Channelopathies’ and Other Membrane Remodelling Contribute to Atrial Fibrillation

“…This occurs at the expense of -3 PUFA membrane content and is associated with perturbation of metabolic, oxidative and ionic homeostasis, particularly with intracellular calcium management. 19,20 Thus treatment with -3 PUFA not surprisingly counters many of these factors in the experimental setting. In support of a link between -3 PUFA diet and AF is a recent population-based cohort study that prospectively examined 4815 elderly adults (≥65 years) for 12 years, and found that dietary intake of -3 PUFA from fish was associated with markedly lower incidence of AF.…”

“…[13][14][15][16][17][18] Many of these effectors underlying AF can be targeted by increasing cardiac membrane -3 PUFA. In cardiac membranes there is an age-related increase in -6 PUFA content and thus precursors of eicosanoids, cytokines and other pro-arrhythmic, pro-inflammatory agents (see reviews by Pepe 19,20 ). This occurs at the expense of -3 PUFA membrane content and is associated with perturbation of metabolic, oxidative and ionic homeostasis, particularly with intracellular calcium management.…”