Oils rich in α-linolenic acid independently protect against characteristics of fatty liver disease in the Δ6-desaturase null mouse

Abstract

Alpha-linolenic acid's (ALA) biological activity is poorly understood and primarily associated with its conversion to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Delta-6 desaturase (D6D) initiates the metabolism of linoleic acid (LA) and ALA to arachidonic acid, EPA, and DHA, respectively. In this study, D6D knock-out (D6KO) mice were used to evaluate the effects of ALA-rich oils in preventing hepatic steatosis and inflammation. D6KO and wild-type mice were fed 1 of 4 high-fat (14% w/w) diets: (i) lard (LD, 0% n-3 PUFA), (ii) canola oil + ARASCO (CD, 8% ALA), (iii) flax seed oil + ARASCO (FD, 55% ALA), (iv) menhaden oil (MD, 30% EPA/DHA) for 8 or 20 weeks. Livers of D6KO mice consuming CD and FD were depleted of EPA/DHA, and enriched in ALA. Markers of fat accumulation and inflammation were lowest in the MD-fed mice, at 8 and 20 weeks, regardless of genotype. CD- and FD-fed D6KO groups were found to have lower liver lipid accumulation and lower hepatic inflammation relative to the LD-fed mice at 8 weeks. In conclusion, while MD was the most protective, this study shows that ALA can act independently on risk factors associated with the development of fatty liver disease.

Black Sesame Seeds Ethanol Extract Ameliorates Hepatic Lipid Accumulation, Oxidative Stress, and Insulin Resistance in Fructose-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…On the basis of the BSSEE chromatogram (Figure 1), the results indicated that the major constituent of BSSEE was lignans (19.8%), which mainly contained sesaminol (1.92%), sesamin (16.33%) and sesamolin (31.31%). Previously, vitamins (such as vitamins D, vitamins C and vitamins E) 32,33 and linoleic acids 34 were found to be beneficial for the improvement of NAFLD. In the present study, sugar, protein, vitamins and fatty acids in BSSEE were did not detected under that chromatographic conditions.…”

Genetic and epigenetic transgenerational implications related to omega-3 fatty acids. Part I: maternal FADS2 genotype and DNA methylation correlate with polyunsaturated fatty acid status in toddlers: an exploratory analysis

“…A scripted introduction to the purpose and methods of the 24-hour recall was provided to the mother. 24 which is fewer than would be expected by chance (as indicated by FDR assessment, see below A C C E P T E D M A N U S C R I P T ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 8 within Statistical analyses, data not shown). Since no differences in PUFAs intakes could be identified between different 24-hour dietary recall sessions (with the exception of one comparison, but with FDR > 5%), the data were averaged between the four sets to more reliably reflect the dietary intakes of toddlers.…”

“…In addition, new evidence in a mouse model suggestedthat ALA could have a Fads2-independent role upon liver metabolism, which was not related to the synthesis of n-3 species [8,9].…”

Profiling and quantification of aminophospholipids based on chemical derivatization coupled with HPLC-MS

“…And the total EPA and DHA content of aminophospholipids in polyphenol intervention groups R and F increased significantly. Research shows that the protective effects of -linolenic acid in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are attributed to EPA and DHA synthesis (20,21). There are multiple factors regulating EPA and DHA levels (22), and higher levels of these metabolites may contribute to the depletion of their precursor, -linolenic acid (20,21).…”