Docosahexaenoic acid in red blood cells of women of reproductive age is positively associated with oral contraceptive use and physical activity

Magnusardottir, Anna R.; Steingrímsdóttir, Laufey; Þorgeirsdóttir, Hólmfríður; Gunnlaugsson, Geir; Skúladóttir, Gudrún V.

doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2008.10.004

Cited by 25 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Similarly in human subjects, higher erythrocyte DHA levels were observed in women of childbearing age by Smit et al [17] and Magnusardottir et al [23], as well as in postmenopausal women after hormone replacement therapy [21, 22]. This higher DHA among females was observed in liver phospholipids, but not in triacylglycerols in adult rats [37, 39].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

“…Several reviews [18–20] indicate that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels were significantly higher for both endogenous fatty acid composition and conversion from the isotopic precursor α-linolenic acid (ALA). This increase in DHA in females has been reported to be closely related to hormone levels [21–23] probably through an up-regulation of the mRNA expression of FADS2, the gene that encodes the Δ6-desaturase in human primary hepatocytes [24] and in rat liver [25, 26]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Differences in long chain polyunsaturates composition and metabolism in male and female rats

Lin

Brown

DiMartino

et al. 2016

Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids

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Human studies and some animal work have shown more docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) was accumulated or converted from precursors in females compared to males. This study explored in-depth the effect of gender on fatty acid composition and polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in rats fed one of two well-defined diets containing 10% total fat. One diet contained 15% of linoleic acid (LA) and 3% of α-linolenic acid (ALA) of the total fatty acids (LA+ALA diet), while the other diet contained 15% LA and 0.05% ALA (LA diet). At the age of 20 weeks, all animals were orally administered a single dose of a mixture of deuterium-labeled LA and ALA. Caudal venous blood was then drawn at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 96 and 168 h. The concentrations of the deuterated precursors and their metabolites in plasma total lipids were quantified by GC/MS negative chemical ionization. Endogenous fatty acids were quantified by GC/FID analysis. When expressed as the percentage of oral dosage, female rats accumulated more precursors and more products, deuterated DHA and deuterated n-6 docosapentaenoic acid (2H5-DPAn-6), in plasma than did male rats in both the LA+ALA diet and the LA diet. For the endogenous non-labeled PUFA, greater concentrations of DHA and DPAn-6 were similarly observed in female rats compared to males within each diet. A lower concentration of non-labeled ARA was observed only in female rats fed the LA+ALA diet. In summary, greater endogenous and exogenous DHA and DPAn-6 was observed in female rat plasma and this was independent of dietary ALA status.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in long chain polyunsaturates composition and metabolism in male and female rats

Lin

Brown

DiMartino

et al. 2016

Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Postmenopausal women have been observed to have decreased DHA in erythrocyte phospholipids [85], and postmenopausal women undergoing hormone replacement strategies including both direct hormone replacement and selective estrogen-receptor modulators have increased circulating DHA relative to postmenopausal women not using hormone therapies [86,87]. Women taking an estradiol-based contraceptive pill also have elevated blood and erythrocyte DHA levels as compared to women not taking oral contraceptives [21,88]. Similarly, DHA increased in the plasma cholesteryl esters of male-to-female transsexuals receiving oral ethinyl estradiol, while plasma cholesteryl ester DHA decreased in the blood of female-to-male transsexuals receiving testosterone treatment [21].…”

Section: Role Of Estrogen In Dha Biosynthesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevated Production of Docosahexaenoic Acid in Females: Potential Molecular Mechanisms

Kitson

Stroud

Stark

2010

Lipids

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Observational evidence suggests that in populations consuming low levels of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids, women have higher blood levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:3n-6) as compared with men. Increased conversion of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n-3) to DHA by females has been confirmed in fatty acid stable isotope studies. This difference in conversion appears to be associated with estrogen and some evidence indicates that the expression of enzymes involved in synthesis of DHA from ALA, including desaturases and elongases, is elevated in females. An estrogen-associated effect may be mediated by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha), as activation of this nuclear receptor increases the expression of these enzymes. However, because estrogens are weak ligands for PPARalpha, estrogen-mediated increases in PPARalpha activity likely occur through an indirect mechanism involving membrane-bound estrogen receptors and estrogen-sensitive G-proteins. The protein kinases activated by these receptors phosphorylate and increase the activity of PPARalpha, as well as phospholipase A(2) and cyclooxygenase 2 that increase the intracellular concentration of PPARalpha ligands. This review will outline current knowledge regarding elevated DHA production in females, as well as highlight interactions between estrogen signaling and PPARalpha activity that may mediate this effect.

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“…29, 30 Conversely, obesity negatively affected n3 fatty acid blood levels in healthy adults. 31 Given that an important concern after a breast cancer diagnosis is weight gain, this data supports fatty acid metabolism as one mechanism by which a combined diet and physical activity intervention could improve outcomes in breast cancer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lifestyle factors associated with serum N-3 fatty acid levels in breast cancer patients

et al. 2012

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Summary Long chain n3 fatty acids appear to have beneficial effects in several domains of health relevant to breast cancer survivors. This study evaluated inter-individual differences in serum levels of n3 fatty acids in 40 breast cancer patients who were participating in a pilot study for prevention of weight gain. Significant predictors of baseline n3 fatty acid levels in serum were dietary intakes of n3 fatty acids, BMI, serum levels of carotenoids and TV hours watched/day, accounting for 43% of the variance. Counseling for prevention of weight gain also tended to increase n3 fatty acid blood levels over time during chemotherapy.

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Docosahexaenoic acid in red blood cells of women of reproductive age is positively associated with oral contraceptive use and physical activity

Cited by 25 publications

References 34 publications

Differences in long chain polyunsaturates composition and metabolism in male and female rats

Differences in long chain polyunsaturates composition and metabolism in male and female rats

Elevated Production of Docosahexaenoic Acid in Females: Potential Molecular Mechanisms

Lifestyle factors associated with serum N-3 fatty acid levels in breast cancer patients

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