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American Journal of Reproductive... Oct 2021This study aims to investigate the effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) on the gut microbiota (GM) and the abdominal environment in mice with endometriosis (EMS).
PROBLEM
This study aims to investigate the effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) on the gut microbiota (GM) and the abdominal environment in mice with endometriosis (EMS).
METHODS
The effects of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EMS mice on mice treated with antibiotic cocktail were conducted. The 16S rRNA sequencing and PICRUSt software were used to detect the structure and function of GM respectively. The protein levels of Claudin 4 and ZO-2 in the intestinal wall were detected using the western blotting. The level of LPS in the abdominal cavity was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The content of macrophages in the abdominal cavity was detected using flow cytometry.
RESULTS
The exogenous supplementation of ALA could restore the abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidota in EMS mice. After the ALA treatment, the abundance of 125 functional pathways and 50 abnormal enzymes related to GM in EMS mice was significantly improved (p < .05). The expression of the ZO-2 protein in the intestinal wall was decreased, and the level of LPS in the abdominal cavity was significantly increased after FMT from EMS mice (p < .05). ALA could increase the expression of the ZO-2 protein in the intestinal wall of EMS mice, reduce the level of LPS in the abdominal cavity (p < .05) and reduce the aggregation of peritoneal macrophages (p < .05).
CONCLUSION
Alpha-linolenic acid can improve the GM, intestinal wall barrier and abdominal inflammatory environment and reduce the level of LPS in mice with EMS.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Endometriosis; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Mice; Zonula Occludens-2 Protein; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 34022075
DOI: 10.1111/aji.13471 -
The Journal of Pediatrics Nov 1994Commercial infant formulas with a ratio of linoleic acid (LA) to alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) of 10:1 or higher are nutritionally inadequate; the tissue levels of... (Review)
Review
Commercial infant formulas with a ratio of linoleic acid (LA) to alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) of 10:1 or higher are nutritionally inadequate; the tissue levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are lower and the visual function indices are reduced in infants who are fed these formulas. All the evidence points to using LA:ALA ratios of less than 8:1, but there has been only one study in infants that used formulas with reduced LA:ALA ratios, and only biochemical indices were monitored. There is a need for both short-term studies to establish the ratios of LA to ALA that will make possible the accumulation of DHA to levels close to those in breast-fed infants and long-term trials to determine the effects of such fat blends on growth and development.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Child Development; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Energy Intake; Humans; Infant; Infant Food; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Linoleic Acid; Linoleic Acids; Milk, Human; Nutritional Requirements; Nutritive Value; Time Factors; Vision, Ocular; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 7965453
DOI: 10.1016/s0022-3476(06)80736-5 -
Lipids Dec 2002This review examines the data pertaining to an important and often underrated EFA, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). It examines its sources, metabolism, and biological... (Review)
Review
This review examines the data pertaining to an important and often underrated EFA, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). It examines its sources, metabolism, and biological effects in various population studies, in vitro, animal, and human intervention studies. The main role of ALA was assumed to be as a precursor to the longer-chain n-3 PUFA, EPA and DHA, and particularly for supplying DHA for neural tissue. This paper reveals that the major metabolic route of ALA metabolism is beta-oxidation. Furthermore, ALA accumulates in specific sites in the body of mammals (carcass, adipose, and skin), and only a small proportion of the fed ALA is converted to DHA. There is some evidence that ALA may be involved with skin and fur function. There is continuing debate regarding whether ALA has actions of its own in relation to the cardiovascular system and neural function. Cardiovascular disease and cancer are two of the major burdens of disease in the 21st century, and emerging evidence suggests that diets containing ALA are associated with reductions in total deaths and sudden cardiac death. There may be aspects of the action and, more importantly, the metabolism of ALA that need to be elucidated, and these will help us understand the biological effects of this compound better. Additionally, we must not forget that ALA is part of the whole diet and should be seen in this context, not in isolation.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mammals; Neoplasms; Nutrition Policy; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 12617463
DOI: 10.1007/s11745-002-1008-x -
Nutrition Reviews Jul 1995In a 5-year study of survivors of a first myocardial infarction, the effect of an alpha-linolenic acid-enriched diet (experimental) was compared with the prudent diet of... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial Review
In a 5-year study of survivors of a first myocardial infarction, the effect of an alpha-linolenic acid-enriched diet (experimental) was compared with the prudent diet of the American Heart Association (control) in prevention of secondary coronary events. After a mean follow-up of 27 months, there were 5 nonfatal myocardial infarctions and 3 cardiac deaths in the experimental group versus 17 nonfatal myocardial infarctions and 16 cardiac deaths in the control group. Overall mortality was 20 in the control and 8 in the experimental group. An alpha-linolenic acid-enriched diet appears to be effective in secondary prevention of coronary events, but a follow-up trial with a larger sample size is suggested.
Topics: American Heart Association; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diet; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Myocardial Infarction; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; United States; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 7494621
DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.1995.tb01550.x -
Lipids Feb 2011The bioactive properties of the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers have long been recognised and are the subject of a number of excellent reviews. However, despite... (Review)
Review
The bioactive properties of the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers have long been recognised and are the subject of a number of excellent reviews. However, despite this prominence the CLA isomers are not the only group of naturally occurring dietary conjugated fatty acids which have shown potent bioactivity. In a large number of in vitro and in vivo studies, conjugated α-linolenic acid (CLNA) isomers have displayed potent anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-obese and anti-carcinogenic activity, along with the ability to improve biomarkers of cardio-vascular health. CLNA isomers are naturally present in high concentrations in a large variety of seed oils but can also be produced in vitro by strains of lactobacilli and bifidobactena through the activity of the enzyme linoleic acid isomerase on α-linolenic acid. In this review, we will address the possible therapeutic roles that CLNA may play in a number of conditions afflicting Western society and the mechanisms through which this activity is mediated.
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Anti-Obesity Agents; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Isomerism; Linoleic Acids, Conjugated; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 21161605
DOI: 10.1007/s11745-010-3501-5 -
Nutrients Mar 2020α-Linolenic acid (ALA) is well-known for its anti-inflammatory activity. In contrast, the influence of an ALA-rich diet on intestinal microbiota composition and its...
α-Linolenic acid (ALA) is well-known for its anti-inflammatory activity. In contrast, the influence of an ALA-rich diet on intestinal microbiota composition and its impact on small intestine morphology are not fully understood. In the current study, we kept adult C57BL/6J mice for 4 weeks on an ALA-rich or control diet. Characterization of the microbial composition of the small intestine revealed that the ALA diet was associated with an enrichment in and . In contrast, taxa belonging to the Firmicutes phylum, including , cluster XIVa, Lachnospiraceae and , had significantly lower abundance compared to control diet. Metagenome prediction indicated an enrichment in functional pathways such as bacterial secretion system in the ALA group, whereas the two-component system and ALA metabolism pathways were downregulated. We also observed increased levels of ALA and its metabolites eicosapentanoic and docosahexanoic acid, but reduced levels of arachidonic acid in the intestinal tissue of ALA-fed mice. Furthermore, intestinal morphology in the ALA group was characterized by elongated villus structures with increased counts of epithelial cells and reduced epithelial proliferation rate. Interestingly, the ALA diet reduced relative goblet and Paneth cell counts. Of note, high-fat Western-type diet feeding resulted in a comparable adaptation of the small intestine. Collectively, our study demonstrates the impact of ALA on the gut microbiome and reveals the nutritional regulation of gut morphology.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Biodiversity; Fatty Acids; Feces; Food Analysis; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Immunohistochemistry; Intestinal Mucosa; Intestine, Small; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Metagenome; Metagenomics; Mice; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 32168729
DOI: 10.3390/nu12030732 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2024Neuroinflammation is the brain condition that occurs due to the hyper-activation of brain's immune cells and microglia, over the stimulation of extracellular aggregated...
Neuroinflammation is the brain condition that occurs due to the hyper-activation of brain's immune cells and microglia, over the stimulation of extracellular aggregated proteins such as amyloid plaques and by extracellular Tau as well. The phenotypic changes of microglia from inflammatory to anti-inflammatory can be triggered by many factors, which also includes dietary fatty acids. The classes of omega-3 fatty acids are the majorly responsible in maintaining the anti-inflammatory phenotype of microglia. The enhanced phagocytic ability of microglia might induce the clearance of extracellular aggregated proteins, such as amyloid beta and Tau. In this study, we emphasized on the effect of α-linolenic acid (ALA) on the activation of microglia and internalization of the extracellular Tau seed in microglia.
Topics: Humans; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; alpha-Linolenic Acid; Microglia; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; tau Proteins
PubMed: 38512683
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3629-9_26 -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... 2005Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found mainly in plant sources, including flaxseed oil, canola oil, and walnuts. Although substantial... (Review)
Review
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found mainly in plant sources, including flaxseed oil, canola oil, and walnuts. Although substantial evidence indicates that consumption of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from seafood reduces the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), the effect of ALA intake on CHD risk is less well-established. ALA may reduce cardiovascular risk through a variety of biologic mechanisms, including platelet function, inflammation, endothelial cell function, arterial compliance, and arrhythmia. Although clinical benefits have not been seen consistently in all studies, most prospective observational studies suggest that ALA intake reduces the incidence of CHD, and two randomized trials have demonstrated that a dietary pattern that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts or legumes, and ALA-rich foods substantially reduces the recurrence of CHD events. Additional observational and clinical studies will help establish the effects of ALA on CHD risk and determine whether such effects vary based on gender, duration of intake, background dietary intake of seafood, or other factors. Presently, the weight of the evidence favors recommendations for modest dietary consumption of ALA (2 to 3 g per day) for the primary and secondary prevention of CHD.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Coronary Disease; Evidence-Based Medicine; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Humans; Plant Oils; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 15945135
DOI: No ID Found -
Minerva Cardioangiologica Aug 2006Over the last decades, an increasing body of evidence has been accumulated on the beneficial effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids both in primary and secondary... (Review)
Review
Over the last decades, an increasing body of evidence has been accumulated on the beneficial effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids both in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, the vast majority of the studies has been performed on long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and not on their biochemical precursor, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Actually, ALA has some other beneficial effects apart from the known antiarrhythmic effect. In fact, ALA has a strong inhibitory effect on omega-6 metabolic pathway. An adequate daily intake of ALA shifts metabolic pathway to EPA, so favoring the formation of products with a predominant antiaggregating and vasorelaxing action, with respect to eicosanoids with a predominant thrombotic effect. Some important evidences have been raised on the association between ALA and cardiovascular mortality. Indeed, dietary ALA has been associated with a lower rate of fatal and nonfatal coronary events. Hence, major scientific associations published nutritional guidelines including a specific recommendation for ALA.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Clinical Trials as Topic; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Humans; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 17016414
DOI: No ID Found -
World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics 1998
Review
Topics: Animals; Diet; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Flax; Linoleic Acid; alpha-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 9648515
DOI: 10.1159/000059664