-
Nutrients Dec 2022Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a major constituent of neural and visual membranes and is required for optimal neural and visual function. DHA is derived from food or by... (Review)
Review
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a major constituent of neural and visual membranes and is required for optimal neural and visual function. DHA is derived from food or by endogenous synthesis from α-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid. Low blood levels of DHA in some westernised populations have led to speculations that child development disorders and various neurological conditions are associated with sub-optimal neural DHA levels, a proposition which has been supported by the supplement industry. This review searched for evidence of deficiency of DHA in human populations, based on elevated levels of the biochemical marker of -3 deficiency, docosapentaenoic acid (22:5-6). Three scenarios/situations were identified for the insufficient supply of DHA, namely in the brain of new-born infants fed with high-linoleic acid (LA), low-ALA formulas, in cord blood of women at birth who were vegetarians and in the milk of women from North Sudan. Twenty post-mortem brain studies from the developed world from adults with various neurological disorders revealed no evidence of raised levels of 22:5-6, even in the samples with reduced DHA levels compared with control subjects. Human populations most likely at risk of -3 deficiency are new-born and weanling infants, children and adolescents in areas of dryland agriculture, in famines, or are refugees, however, these populations have rarely been studied. This is an important topic for future research.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Infant; Pregnancy; Adult; Child; Humans; Female; Adolescent; Animals; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Fatty Acids, Essential; Brain; Milk; Parturition; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 36615819
DOI: 10.3390/nu15010161 -
Current Oncology Reports Jun 2018Flaxseed and its bioactive components have been associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer incidence and progression. This review aims to summarize recent... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Flaxseed and its bioactive components have been associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer incidence and progression. This review aims to summarize recent research regarding the role of flaxseed and each of its major dietary bioactive components in reducing colorectal cancer.
RECENT FINDINGS
In both human and animal model experiments, flaxseed consumption had beneficial effects on colon physiology associated with reduction in colorectal cancer risk or occurrence. Considered separately, each of flaxseed's major bioactive components, including fiber, alpha-linolenic acid, lignans, and other phytochemicals, is also associated with decreased risk of colonic neoplasms and regulation of cell growth through several potential mechanisms. Collectively, experimental data suggests that consumption of flaxseed and/or its bioactive components may reduce colorectal cancer risk by a variety of mechanisms. Future studies should focus on the mechanisms by which whole flaxseed can prevent colorectal cancer.
Topics: Animals; Cell Proliferation; Colorectal Neoplasms; Dietary Fiber; Flax; Humans; Lignans; Phytochemicals; Seeds; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 29869224
DOI: 10.1007/s11912-018-0704-z -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2022Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is highly expressed in multiple types of human cancers and is recognized as one of the targets for treating cancer metastasis. α-Linolenic...
Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is highly expressed in multiple types of human cancers and is recognized as one of the targets for treating cancer metastasis. α-Linolenic acid is an omega-3 essential fatty acid and it possesses various biological activities. The present study was designed to reveal the effects of α-linolenic acid on osteosarcoma and to reveal whether the mechanism of α-linolenic acid in anticancer activity may be related to FASN inhibition. The cytotoxicity of α-linolenic acid was assessed in osteosarcoma MG63, 143B, and U2OS cells. Cell viability was detected by the MTT assay. The protein expression level was detected by western blotting. Flow cytometry, Annexin V/propidium iodide dual staining, and Hoechst 33258 staining were performed to assess the apoptotic effects. Wound healing assay was applied to detect the inhibitory effect of α-linolenic acid on osteosarcoma cells migration. The results showed that α-linolenic acid downregulated FASN expression. α-Linolenic acid inhibited osteosarcoma cell proliferation and migration in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, α-linolenic acid regulated endoplasmic reticulum transmembrane receptors and signal protein expression in osteosarcoma cells. The findings of the present study suggested that α-linolenic acid suppresses osteosarcoma cell proliferation and metastasis by inhibiting FASN expression, which provides a basis as a potential target for osteosarcoma treatment.
Topics: Apoptosis; Bone Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Fatty Acid Synthases; Humans; Osteosarcoma; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 35566090
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092741 -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... Oct 2016Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the parent essential fatty acid of the omega-3 family. This family includes docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which has been conserved in neural... (Review)
Review
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the parent essential fatty acid of the omega-3 family. This family includes docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which has been conserved in neural signaling systems in the cephalopods, fish, amphibian, reptiles, birds, mammals, primates, and humans. This extreme conservation, in spite of wide genomic changes of over 500 million years, testifies to the uniqueness of this molecule in the brain and affirms the importance of omega-3 fatty acids. While DHA and its close precursor, eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA), have received much attention by the research community, ALA, as the precursor of both, has been considered of little interest. There are many papers on ALA requirements in experimental animals. Unlike humans, rats and mice can readily convert ALA to EPA and DHA, so it is unclear whether the effect is solely due to the conversion products or to ALA itself. The intrinsic role of ALA has yet to be defined. This paper will discuss both recent and historical findings related to this distinctive group of fatty acids, and will highlight the physiological significance of the omega-3 family.
Topics: Animals; Diet; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Humans; Molecular Structure; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 25774650
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2013.828678 -
Journal of Chromatography. B,... Sep 2020Conjugated linoleic and linolenic acids (CLA and CLnA) can be found in dairy, ruminant meat and oilseeds, these types of unsaturated fatty acids consist of various... (Review)
Review
Conjugated linoleic and linolenic acids (CLA and CLnA) can be found in dairy, ruminant meat and oilseeds, these types of unsaturated fatty acids consist of various positional and geometrical isomers, and have demonstrated health-promoting potential for human beings. Extensive reviews have reported the physiological effects of CLA, CLnA, while little is known regarding their isomer-specific effects. However, the isomers are difficult to identify, owing to (i) the similar retention time in common chromatographic methods; and (ii) the isomers are highly sensitive to high temperature, pH changes, and oxidation. The uncertainties in molecular structure have hindered investigations on the physiological effects of CLA and CLnA. Therefore, this review presents a summary of the currently available technologies for the structural determination of CLA and CLnA, including the presence confirmation, double bond position determination, and the potential stereo-isomer determination. Special focus has been projected to the novel techniques for structure determination of CLA and CLnA. Some possible future directions are also proposed.
Topics: Animals; Chromatography, Liquid; Linoleic Acids, Conjugated; Mass Spectrometry; Milk; Models, Molecular; Molecular Conformation; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 32755819
DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2020.122292 -
Journal of Agricultural and Food... Mar 2024Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been extensively characterized due to its many biological activities and health benefits, but conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA) is... (Review)
Review
Conjugated Linolenic Acid (CLnA) vs Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): A Comprehensive Review of Potential Advantages in Molecular Characteristics, Health Benefits, and Production Techniques.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been extensively characterized due to its many biological activities and health benefits, but conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA) is still not well understood. However, CLnA has shown to be more effective than CLA as a potential functional food ingredient. Current research has not thoroughly investigated the differences and advantages between CLnA and CLA. This article compares CLnA and CLA based on molecular characteristics, including structural, chemical, and metabolic characteristics. Then, the research evidence of CLnA on various health benefits is comprehensively reviewed and compared with CLA in terms of effectiveness and mechanism. Furthermore, the potential of CLnA in production technology and product protection is analyzed. In general, CLnA and CLA have similar physicochemical properties of conjugated molecules and share many similarities in regulation effects and pathways of various health benefits as well as in the production methods. However, their specific properties, regulatory capabilities, and unique mechanisms are different. The superior potential of CLnA must be specified according to the practical application patterns of isomers. Future research should focus more on the advantageous characteristics of different isomers, especially the effectiveness and safety in clinical applications in order to truly exert the potential value of CLnA.
Topics: alpha-Linolenic Acid; Linoleic Acids, Conjugated; Isomerism; Food Ingredients; Functional Food
PubMed: 38442367
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08771 -
Military Medicine Nov 2014The possibility that western diets poor in omega-3 and rich in omega-6 fatty acids contribute to the increasing burden of chronic diseases including neurological... (Review)
Review
The possibility that western diets poor in omega-3 and rich in omega-6 fatty acids contribute to the increasing burden of chronic diseases including neurological problems is becoming recognized. Modern, westernized diets provide 80 to 90% of polyunsaturated fatty acids as omega-6 linoleic acid (LA) and are depleted in omega-3 fatty acids, giving a distorted balance of LA to α-linoleic acid, and to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). LA intakes exceed Δ-6 desaturase needs for maximal activity. LA accumulates in blood and tissue lipids with increasing intake, and this exacerbates competition between LA and limited omega-3 fatty acids for metabolism and acylation into tissue lipids. Increasing EPA and DHA intake decreases tissue omega-6 fatty acids while also providing EPA and DHA. However, strategies for EPA and DHA supplementation do not address potential underlying problems of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid imbalance in the food supply.
Topics: Chronic Disease; Diet, Western; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Fatty Acids, Omega-6; Humans; Linoleic Acid; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Tissue Distribution; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 25373090
DOI: 10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00147 -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... 2015Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA) isomers are present in foods derived from ruminants as a result of the respective linoleic acid (LA)... (Review)
Review
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA) isomers are present in foods derived from ruminants as a result of the respective linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (LNA) metabolism by ruminal microorganisms and in animals' tissues. CLA and CLNA have isomer-specific, health-promoting properties, including anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activity, as well as the ability to reduce body fat. Besides ruminal microorganisms, such as Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, many food-grade bacteria, such as bifidobacteria, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and propionibacteria, are able to convert LA and LNA to CLA and CLNA, respectively. Linoleate isomerase activity, responsible for this conversion, is strain-dependent and probably related to the ability of the producer strain to tolerate the toxic effects of LA and LNA. Since natural concentrations of CLA and CLNA in ruminal food products are relatively low to exert their health benefits, food-grade bacteria with linoleate isomerase activity could be used as starter or adjunct cultures to develop functional fermented dairy and meat products with increased levels of CLA and CLNA or included in fermented products as probiotic cultures. However, results obtained so far are below expectations due to technological bottlenecks. More research is needed to assess if bacterial production kinetics can be increased and can match food processing requirements.
Topics: Bifidobacterium; Dairy Products; Fermentation; Linoleic Acids, Conjugated; Meat Products; Probiotics; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 24915316
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2012.706243 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2022α-Linolenic acid (ALA) is a natural essential fatty acid widely found in plant seed oils and beans, which shows positive anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects. In...
α-Linolenic acid (ALA) is a natural essential fatty acid widely found in plant seed oils and beans, which shows positive anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects. In our previous study, ALA was proven to bind tightly to the seven protein targets closely associated with allergic rhinitis (AR) by molecular docking, which indicates that ALA may have a potential role in the treatment of AR. A mouse model of AR induced by ovalbumin (OVA) was adopted in this study to explore the therapeutical effect and potential mechanism of ALA in treating AR. Results demonstrated that ALA remarkably relieved the nasal symptoms, reduced the OVA-sIgE level in the serum, relieved the histopathological injuries, and downregulated the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and IL-1β in the nasal mucosa. ALA also remarkably moderated the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cells, increased the mRNA expression levels of T-bet and STAT1, and reduced GATA3 and STAT6. ALA was proven to have a substantial therapeutic effect on mice with AR, and the underlying mechanism was likely to be the regulation of Th1/Th2 imbalance through the JAK/T-bet/STAT1 and JAK/GATA3/STAT6 pathways. This study provides a specific experimental basis for the clinical use and drug development of ALA in the treatment of AR.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Allergic Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Inflammation; Interleukin-6; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Molecular Docking Simulation; Nasal Mucosa; Ovalbumin; Plant Oils; RNA, Messenger; Rhinitis, Allergic; Th2 Cells; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 36144628
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27185893 -
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Jul 2022Metronidazole (Met) is the first choice for treating Helicobacter pylori (). However, is easy to resistant, making Met unable to be widely used. How to overcome 's Met...
Metronidazole (Met) is the first choice for treating Helicobacter pylori (). However, is easy to resistant, making Met unable to be widely used. How to overcome 's Met resistance is still an issue. In this study, Met was used as the primary raw material with linolenic acid to prepare a novel compound-linolenic acid-metronidazole (Lla-Met). The MIC, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), colonization amount of in gastric mucosa, etc., were evaluated, respectively. Lla-Met was successfully prepared by the detection of nuclear magnetic resonance, etc., and its MIC and MBC to were 2~4 μg/mL, 8~16 μg/mL. Moreover, experiments, Lla-Met significantly reduced the colonization of drug-resistant in gastric mucosa. In the toxicity test, Lla-Met inhibited rate to GES-1 and BGC823 cells were 15% at 128 μg/mL; the mice were administered 10 times treatment Lla-Met treatment (240 mg/kg), have no difference significant injuries were found in their stomach, liver, spleen, kidney, and weight. In addition, G27 continued for 18 days with sub-Lla-Met concentration, G27 did not show drug resistance to Lla-Met; Lla-Met did not exert an effect on non- species with 128 μg/mL; Compared with a neutral environment, when the acid concentration is 3.0, Lla-Met is not decomposed and has better stability. Conclusion: Lla-Met, a newly prepared compound, has relatively well antibacterial of Met-resistant and sensitive , with a capability of overcoming the metronidazole resistance of
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Clarithromycin; Drug Resistance; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Metronidazole; Mice; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 35758720
DOI: 10.1128/aac.00073-22