Marine phospholipids as dietary carriers of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

Abstract

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the n-3 series. Fish oil is a classical source of n-3 PUFA, where they occur in the form of triacylglycerols (TAG). However, new sources of n-3 PUFA esterified in phospholipids (PL) are emerging. We prepared liposomes from a natural marine lipid extract and examined their behaviour under conditions mimicking that of the gastrointestinal tract. This physicochemical approach proved that liposomes could be used as an effective oral PUFA delivery system. In vivo studies in rats were performed to examine the metabolic fate of EPA (20:5 n-3) and DHA (22:6 n-3) delivered either in PL from liposomes or in TAG from oil. Liposome ingestion increased PUFA bioavailability in lymph compared with fish oil. The proportion of n-3 PUFA esterified in the sn-2 position of chylomicron TAG depended on the dietary lipid source. Complex timecourse profiles were observed for plasma lipids with liposome supplementation over a 2-week period, suggesting time-dependent regulations. Taken together, the type of PUFA, EPA or DHA, as well as its intramolecular distribution in chylomicron TAG seemed to influence the metabolic fate of the fatty acids and their physiological activities.

Structural elucidation of molecular species of pacific oyster ether amino phospholipids by normal-phase liquid chromatography/negative-ion electrospray ionization and quadrupole/multiple-stage linear ion-trap mass spectrometry

“…Because the marine lipid extracts are rich in phospholipids [2] and the aminophospholipids and their ether molecular species are present as the major components in marine oysters [9–13], the normal-phase LC separation of individual phospholipid classes from each other prior to MS n analyses is necessary, in order to avoid selecting isobaric precursor ions derived from different phospholipid classes present in the crude lipid mixture. This should also “concentrate” minor molecular species in a phospholipid class for the further MS n analysis.…”

“…Although fish oils (mainly in the form of triglycerides) are widely marketed for DHA/EPA supplementation, new omega-3 sources other than triglycerides, i.e. free fatty acids, ethyl EPA/DHA esters and more recently phospholipids are emerging [2]. In fact, marine phospholipids are considered to be a more efficient dietary source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids than triglycerides or free fatty acids [4–7].…”

Marine Omega-3 Phospholipids: Metabolism and Biological Activities

“…Also other studies performed by the same research group have documented that lyso-PC can be an effective delivery form of DHA to the rat brain [48]. In addition, Cansell and colleagues have investigated the metabolism of EPA and DHA delivered either in PL (liposomes) or TG form [49–52]. They found an increased n-3 PUFA bioavailability from PLs in the lymph, in comparison to n-3 PUFAs from TGs.…”

Water‐soluble omega‐3: A concept for purification of fish oil and nutraceuticals?

“…Krill oil, rich in PL 36 emerges as a source for human nutritional supplement. Bioavailability of PUFA from synthetic PL was higher than other forms of PUFA 37, 38. However, a recent study 39 states that krill oil and fish oil represent comparable dietary sources of n ‐3 PUFAs.…”