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Phytotherapy Research : PTR Jan 2022α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) is a carboxylic acid composed of 18 carbon atoms and three cis double bonds, and is an essential fatty acid indispensable to the human... (Review)
Review
α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) is a carboxylic acid composed of 18 carbon atoms and three cis double bonds, and is an essential fatty acid indispensable to the human body. This study aims to systematically review related studies on the dietary sources, metabolism, and pharmacological effects of ALA. Information on ALA was collected from the internet database PubMed, Elsevier, ResearchGate, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, and Europe PMC using a combination of keywords including "pharmacology," "metabolism," "sources." The following findings are mainly contained. (a) ALA can only be ingested from food and then converted into eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the body. (b) This conversion process is relatively limited and affected by many factors such as dose, gender, and disease. (c) Pharmacological research shows that ALA has the anti-metabolic syndrome, anticancer, antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-obesity, neuroprotection, and regulation of the intestinal flora properties. (d) There are the most studies that prove ALA has anti-metabolic syndrome effects, including experimental studies and clinical trials. (e) The therapeutic effect of ALA will be affected by the dosage. In short, ALA is expected to treat many diseases, but further high quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of ALA.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Diet; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Humans; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 34553434
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7295 -
Nutrients May 2019Flaxseed is a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid, the lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside and fiber. These compounds provide bioactivity of... (Review)
Review
Flaxseed is a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid, the lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside and fiber. These compounds provide bioactivity of value to the health of animals and humans through their anti-inflammatory action, anti-oxidative capacity and lipid modulating properties. The characteristics of ingesting flaxseed or its bioactive components are discussed in this article. The benefits of administering flaxseed or the individual bioactive components on health and disease are also discussed in this review. Specifically, the current evidence on the benefits or limitations of dietary flaxseed in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, gastro-intestinal health and brain development and function, as well as hormonal status in menopausal women, are comprehensive topics for discussion.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Brain; Butylene Glycols; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diet; Dietary Fiber; Dietary Supplements; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Female; Flax; Functional Food; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Glucosides; Hormones; Humans; Lignans; Lipid Metabolism; Neoplasms; Seeds; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 31130604
DOI: 10.3390/nu11051171 -
Combinatorial Chemistry & High... 2020Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) is an oil-based seed that contains high amounts of alpha-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, lignans, fiber and many other bioactive components... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) is an oil-based seed that contains high amounts of alpha-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, lignans, fiber and many other bioactive components which is suggested for a healthier life. Nowadays, flaxseed is known as a remarkable functional food with different health benefits for humans and protects against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity and altogether metabolic syndrome.
METHODS
To review the bioactive components of flaxseed and their potential health effects, PubMed and Scopus were searched from commencement to July 2019. Keywords including: "flaxseed", "Linum usitatissimum", "metabolic syndrome", "obesity", "inflammation", "insulin resistance", "diabetes", "hyperlipidemia" and "menopause" were searched in the databases with varying combinations.
CONCLUSION
Consumption of flaxseed in different forms has valuable effects and protects against cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, inflammation and some other complications. Flaxseed can serve as a promising candidate for the management of metabolic syndrome to control blood lipid levels, fasting blood sugar, insulin resistance, body weight, waist circumference, body mass and blood pressure.
Topics: Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Dietary Fiber; Drug Discovery; Dyslipidemias; Flax; Humans; Inflammation; Insulin Resistance; Lignans; Lipids; Metabolic Syndrome; Obesity; Plant Extracts; Seeds; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 32436825
DOI: 10.2174/1386207323666200521121708 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2021The dietary recommendation encourages reducing saturated fatty acids (SFA) in diet and replacing them with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) n-3 (omega-3) and n-6... (Review)
Review
The dietary recommendation encourages reducing saturated fatty acids (SFA) in diet and replacing them with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) n-3 (omega-3) and n-6 (omega-6) to decrease the risk of metabolic disturbances. Consequently, excessive n-6 PUFAs content and high n-6/n-3 ratio are found in Western-type diet. The importance of a dietary n-6/n-3 ratio to prevent chronic diseases is linked with anti-inflammatory functions of linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) and longer-chain n-3 PUFAs. Thus, this review provides an overview of the role of oxylipins derived from n-3 PUFAs and oxylipins formed from n-6 PUFAs on inflammation. Evidence of PUFAs' role in carcinogenesis was also discussed. In vitro studies, animal cancer models and epidemiological studies demonstrate that these two PUFA groups have different effects on the cell growth, proliferation and progression of neoplastic lesions.
Topics: Animals; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Fatty Acids, Omega-6; Humans; Inflammation; Oxylipins; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 34203461
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136965 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Oct 2021To examine the associations between dietary intake and tissue biomarkers of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and risk of mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Dietary intake and biomarkers of alpha linolenic acid and risk of all cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of cohort studies.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the associations between dietary intake and tissue biomarkers of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and risk of mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar to 30 April 2021.
STUDY SELECTION
Prospective cohort studies that reported the risk estimates for death from all causes, CVD, and cancer.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Summary relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the highest versus lowest categories of ALA intake using random effects and fixed effects models. Linear and non-linear dose-response analyses were conducted to assess the dose-response associations between ALA intake and mortality.
RESULTS
41 articles from prospective cohort studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis, totalling 1 197 564 participants. During follow-up ranging from two to 32 years, 198 113 deaths from all causes, 62 773 from CVD, and 65 954 from cancer were recorded. High intake of ALA compared with low intake was significantly associated with a lower risk of deaths from all causes (pooled relative risk 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.83 to 0.97, I=77.8%, 15 studies), CVD (0.92, 0.86 to 0.99, I=48.2%, n=16), and coronary heart disease (CHD) (0.89, 0.81 to 0.97, I=5.6%, n=9), and a slightly higher risk of cancer mortality (1.06, 1.02 to 1.11, I=3.8%, n=10). In the dose-response analysis, a 1 g/day increase in ALA intake (equivalent to one tablespoon of canola oil or 0.5 ounces of walnut) was associated with a 5% lower risk of all cause (0.95, 0.91 to 0.99, I=76.2%, n=12) and CVD mortality (0.95, 0.91 to 0.98, I=30.7%, n=14). The pooled relative risks for the highest compared with lowest tissue levels of ALA indicated a significant inverse association with all cause mortality (0.95, 0.90 to 0.99, I=8.2%, n=26). Also, based on the dose-response analysis, each 1 standard deviation increment in blood concentrations of ALA was associated with a lower risk of CHD mortality (0.92, 0.86 to 0.98, I=37.1%, n=14).
CONCLUSIONS
The findings show that dietary ALA intake is associated with a reduced risk of mortality from all causes, CVD, and CHD, and a slightly higher risk of cancer mortality, whereas higher blood levels of ALA are associated with a reduced risk of all cause and CHD mortality only.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42021229487.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Eating; Humans; Mortality; Neoplasms; Protective Factors; Risk Assessment; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 34645650
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n2213 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent the leading cause of global mortality with 1.7 million deaths a year. One of the alternative systems to drug therapy to minimize... (Review)
Review
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent the leading cause of global mortality with 1.7 million deaths a year. One of the alternative systems to drug therapy to minimize the risk of CVDs is represented by alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid of the omega-3 series, known for its cholesterol-lowering effect. The main purpose of this review is to analyze the effects of ALA and investigate the relevant omega-6/omega-3 ratio in order to maintain functionally beneficial effects. Concerning the lipid-lowering preventive effects, ALA may favorably affect the values of LDL-C and triglycerides in both adult and pediatric populations. Furthermore, ALA has shown protective effects against hypertension, contributing to balancing blood pressure through customary diet. According to the 2009 EFSA statement, dietary ALA may contribute to reducing the risk of CVDs, thanks to anti-hypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic and cardioprotective effects.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; alpha-Linolenic Acid; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Hypertension; Antihypertensive Agents; Cardiovascular Diseases
PubMed: 37762621
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814319 -
Journal of Applied Microbiology Jun 2021The aim of this study was to determine the effects of unsaturated fatty acids on clinical plasmids.
AIMS
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of unsaturated fatty acids on clinical plasmids.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Two unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) at final concentration 0, 0·03, 0·3 and 3 mmol l , respectively, were used to assess the effects on conjugative transfer of a mcr-1-harbouring plasmid pCSZ4 (IncX4) in conjugation experiment. The inhibitory mechanisms were analysed by molecular docking and the gene expression of virB11 was quantitated by qRT-PCR. Target plasmid diversity was carried out by TrwD/VirB11 homology protein sequence prediction analysis. Our results showed that LA and ALA inhibit plasmid pCSZ4 transfer by binding to the amino acid residues (Phe124 and Thr125) of VirB11 with dose-dependent effects. The expression levels of virB11 gene were also significantly inhibited by LA and ALA treatment. Protein homology analysis revealed a wide distribution of TrwD/VirB11-like genes among over 37 classes of plasmids originated from both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates representing a diversity of plasmids that may be potentially inhibited by unsaturated fatty acids.
SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY
Our work reported here provides additional support for application of curbing the spread of multiple plasmids by unsaturated fatty acids.
Topics: Adenosine Triphosphatases; Colistin; Conjugation, Genetic; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Proteins; Gene Expression; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Linoleic Acid; Molecular Docking Simulation; Plasmids; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 33034112
DOI: 10.1111/jam.14885 -
World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics 2022
Review
Topics: Diet; Dietary Fats; Fatty Acids; Humans; Linoleic Acid; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 35240621
DOI: 10.1159/000516721 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2023α-linolenic acid (ALA) is an essential C-18 n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), which can be elongated to longer n-3 PUFAs, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).... (Review)
Review
α-linolenic acid (ALA) is an essential C-18 n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), which can be elongated to longer n-3 PUFAs, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These long-chain n-3 PUFAs have anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution effects either directly or through their oxylipin metabolites. However, there is evidence that the conversion of ALA to the long-chain PUFAs is limited. On the other hand, there is evidence in humans that supplementation of ALA in the diet is associated with an improved lipid profile, a reduction in the inflammatory biomarker C-reactive protein (CRP) and a reduction in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and all-cause mortality. Studies investigating the cellular mechanism for these beneficial effects showed that ALA is metabolized to oxylipins through the Lipoxygenase (LOX), the Cyclooxygenase (COX) and the Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) pathways, leading to hydroperoxy-, epoxy-, mono- and dihydroxylated oxylipins. In several mouse and cell models, it has been shown that ALA and some of its oxylipins, including 9- and 13-hydroxy-octadecatrienoic acids (9-HOTrE and 13-HOTrE), have immunomodulating effects. Taken together, the current literature suggests a beneficial role for diets rich in ALA in human CVDs, however, it is not always clear whether the described effects are attributable to ALA, its oxylipins or other substances present in the supplemented diets.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Oxylipins; alpha-Linolenic Acid; Cardiovascular Diseases; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Diet; Fatty Acids, Omega-3
PubMed: 37047085
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076110 -
Food and Chemical Toxicology : An... Aug 2014α-Linolenic acid (ALA), a carboxylic acid with 18 carbons and three cis double bonds, is an essential fatty acid needed for human health and can be acquired via regular... (Review)
Review
α-Linolenic acid (ALA), a carboxylic acid with 18 carbons and three cis double bonds, is an essential fatty acid needed for human health and can be acquired via regular dietary intake of foods that contain ALA or dietary supplementation of foods high in ALA, for example flaxseed. ALA has been reported to have cardiovascular-protective, anti-cancer, neuro-protective, anti-osteoporotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects. ALA is the precursor of longer chain omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), but its beneficial effects on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are still inconclusive. The recommended intake of ALA for cardiovascular health is reported to be 1.1-2.2g/day. Although there are limited toxicological data for ALA, no serious adverse effects have been reported. The evidence on an increased prostate cancer risk in association with dietary ALA is not conclusive. Based on the limited data currently available, it may be concluded that ALA may be beneficial as a nutraceutical/pharmaceutical candidate and is safe for use as a food ingredient.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cardiovascular System; Dietary Supplements; Disease Models, Animal; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Female; Humans; Male; Neuroprotective Agents; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Toxicity Tests; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 24859185
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2014.05.009