<i>FADS</i> Gene Cluster Polymorphisms: Important Modulators of Fatty Acid Levels and Their Impact on Atopic Diseases

Abstract

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) play an important role in several physiological processes and their concentration in phospholipids has been associated with several complex diseases, such as atopic disease. The level and composition of LC-PUFAs in the human body is highly dependent on their intake in the diet or on the intake of fatty acid precursors, which are endogenously elongated and desaturated to physiologically active LC-PUFAs. The most important enzymes in this reaction cascade are the Δ⁵ and Δ⁶ desaturase. Several studies in the last few years have revealed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 2 desaturase encoding genes (FADS1 and FADS2) are highly associated with the concentration of ω–6 and ω–3 fatty acids, showing that beside nutrition, genetic factors also play an important role in the regulation of LC-PUFAs. This review focuses on current knowledge of the impact of genetic polymorphisms on LC-PUFA metabolism and on their potential role in the development of atopic diseases.

Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acid intake and status during pregnancy, lactation, and early childhood on cardiometabolic health: A systematic review

“…The presence of 98 long-chain PUFAs (LCPUFAs) in breast milk has been suggested as 99 a potential mechanism for beneficial effects of breastfeeding on 100 subsequent health outcomes such as a lower blood pressure [19], 101 but randomized controlled trials with PUFA supplementation to 102 infant formula, or to lactating or pregnant women have reported 103 inconsistent effects on blood pressure in later childhood [20][21][22][23][24]. 104 Therefore, our aim was to systematically review the current lit- 105 erature on the effects of PUFA intake and blood levels, during preg- 106 nancy, lactation, or in early childhood up to the age of 5 y, on 107 cardiometabolic health. Cardiometabolic outcomes included obe- 108 sity (body mass index (BMI), weight-for-height, or body fat), blood 109 pressure, blood lipids (triacylglycerol (TAGs), or total, low-density 110 lipoprotein (LDL), or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol), 111 and measures of insulin sensitivity (glucose or insulin levels, or 112 homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)).…”

Biochemical Characterisation and Whole Genome Expression Profiling of Cultured Skin Fibroblasts from Two South African Adults with Urinary 3-Hydroxyisovaleric Acid and 3-Methylcrotonylglycine

“…However, the induction of GGT suggests elevated levels of leukotriene D4 and the suppression of PTGES3 suggests elevated levels of prostacyclin which both have strong pro-inflammatory properties [93]. Imbalances in eicosanoid metabolism signalling have been detected in individuals with a weak tolerance to environmental factors and susceptibility to environmental stressors that often result in asthma [94][95][96][97], allergy, eczema [98][99][100], arthritis [81] as well as the development of cancer [73] and might also play a role in the development of non-specific symptoms of marginal MCC deficiency. Therefore, life-long monitoring of ROS levels of individuals with MCC deficiency along with the administration of anti-oxidants to prevent and manage deleterious secondary signalling responses may be beneficial as previously proposed (Figure 3) [55,56,60,64,65,101].…”

Effects of a Supplementation of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids with or without Fish Gelatin on Gene Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Obese, Insulin-Resistant Subjects

“…First, FADS1 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the FADS1 gene. The enzyme δ-5 desaturase, encoded by FADS1 , is the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of the long-chain PUFAs arachidonic acid, EPA, and DHA from their dietary precursor linoleic acid [24]. Thus, the significant decrease of FADS1 expression level after both supplementation periods indicates the consumption of higher dietary levels of n-3 PUFAs.…”