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Nutrients Apr 2024Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can alter adipose tissue function; however, the relative effects of plant and marine n3-PUFAs are less clear. Our objective was to...
Differential Modulation by Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) of Mesenteric Fat and Macrophages and T Cells in Adipose Tissue of Obese / Zucker Rats.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can alter adipose tissue function; however, the relative effects of plant and marine n3-PUFAs are less clear. Our objective was to directly compare the n3-PUFAs, plant-based α-linolenic acid (ALA) in flaxseed oil, and marine-based eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in high-purity oils versus n6-PUFA containing linoleic acid (LA) for their effects on the adipose tissue and oral glucose tolerance of obese rats. Male / Zucker rats were assigned to faALA, faEPA, faDHA, and faLA groups and compared to baseline / rats (faBASE) and lean Zucker rats (lnLA). After 8 weeks, faEPA and faDHA had 11-14% lower body weight than faLA. The oral glucose tolerance and total body fat were unchanged, but faEPA had less mesenteric fat. faEPA and faDHA had fewer large adipocytes compared to faLA and faALA. EPA reduced macrophages in the adipose tissue of / rats compared to ALA and DHA, while faLA had the greatest macrophage infiltration. DHA decreased (~10-fold) T-cell infiltration compared to faBASE and faEPA, whereas faALA and faLA had an ~40% increase. The n3-PUFA diets attenuated tumour necrosis factor-α in adipose tissue compared to faBASE, while it was increased by LA in both genotypes. In conclusion, EPA and DHA target different aspects of inflammation in adipose tissue.
Topics: Animals; Rats, Zucker; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Obesity; Male; Macrophages; Adipose Tissue; Rats; T-Lymphocytes; alpha-Linolenic Acid; Mesentery
PubMed: 38732558
DOI: 10.3390/nu16091311 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024The tree peony, a novel woody oil crop extensively cultivated in China, necessitates further investigation into artificial pollination technology to enhance seed yield....
The tree peony, a novel woody oil crop extensively cultivated in China, necessitates further investigation into artificial pollination technology to enhance seed yield. In this study, we conducted artificial pollination experiments with 6-year-old 'Feng Dan' seedings for suitable pollen sources, pollen concentration, pollination timing, and pollination frequency. By evaluating seed yields, active ingredients, and oil quality, we derived the following significant conclusions. Firstly, compared to natural pollination, artificial pollination could significantly increase the fruit diameter by 13.94-27.58%, seed yields by 35.17-58.99%, and oil content by 6.45-7.52% in tree peonies. In active ingredients, seeds produced by pollen from Hantai County significantly enhanced starch content (by 48.64%), total phenols (by 41.18%) and antioxidant capacity (by 54.39%). In oil quality, seeds produced by pollen from Heyang County exhibited the highest α-linolenic acid and total fatty acid content with enhancements of 1.68%, 7.41%, and 8.48%. Secondly, hand pollination with pure pollen significantly increased seed yield by 58.99%, total phenol content by 40.97%, antioxidant capacity by 54.39%, and oil content by 1.53% compared to natural pollination. Thirdly, pollination at 2/3 bloom range significantly increased seed number by 63.08% and yield by 45.61% compared to natural pollination. Finally, the effect of one, two, and three pollination events had no difference in seed yield. So, to summarize, applying a 100% concentration of allochthonous pollen once is recommended when the bloom range is more than two thirds.
PubMed: 38732409
DOI: 10.3390/plants13091194 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024The plant-derived α-linolenic acid (ALA) is an essential n-3 acid highly susceptible to oxidation, present in oils of flaxseeds, walnuts, canola, perilla, soy, and... (Review)
Review
The plant-derived α-linolenic acid (ALA) is an essential n-3 acid highly susceptible to oxidation, present in oils of flaxseeds, walnuts, canola, perilla, soy, and chia. After ingestion, it can be incorporated in to body lipid pools (particularly triglycerides and phospholipid membranes), and then endogenously metabolized through desaturation, elongation, and peroxisome oxidation to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), with a very limited efficiency (particularly for DHA), beta-oxidized as an energy source, or directly metabolized to C18-oxilipins. At this moment, data in the literature about the effects of ALA supplementation on metabolic syndrome (MetS) in humans are inconsistent, indicating no effects or some positive effects on all MetS components (abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, impaired insulin sensitivity and glucoregulation, blood pressure, and liver steatosis). The major effects of ALA on MetS seem to be through its conversion to more potent EPA and DHA, the impact on the n-3/n-6 ratio, and the consecutive effects on the formation of oxylipins and endocannabinoids, inflammation, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion, as well as adipocyte and hepatocytes function. It is important to distinguish the direct effects of ALA from the effects of EPA and DHA metabolites. This review summarizes the most recent findings on this topic and discusses the possible mechanisms.
Topics: Metabolic Syndrome; Humans; alpha-Linolenic Acid; Animals; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Dietary Supplements; Insulin Resistance
PubMed: 38732139
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094909 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024Fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) is a rate-limiting enzyme in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) synthesis. Reduced activity of FADS1 was observed in...
Fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) is a rate-limiting enzyme in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) synthesis. Reduced activity of FADS1 was observed in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The aim of this study was to determine whether adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8) mediated hepatocyte-specific overexpression of (AAV8-Fads1) attenuates western diet-induced metabolic phenotypes in a rat model. Male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with a chow diet, or low-fat high-fructose (LFHFr) or high-fat high-fructose diet (HFHFr) ad libitum for 8 weeks. Metabolic phenotypes were evaluated at the endpoint. AAV8-Fads1 injection restored hepatic FADS1 protein levels in both LFHFr and HFHFr-fed rats. While AAV8-Fads1 injection led to improved glucose tolerance and insulin signaling in LFHFr-fed rats, it significantly reduced plasma triglyceride (by ~50%) and hepatic cholesterol levels (by ~25%) in HFHFr-fed rats. Hepatic lipidomics analysis showed that FADS1 activity was rescued by AAV8-FADS1 in HFHFr-fed rats, as shown by the restored arachidonic acid (AA)/dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) ratio, and that was associated with reduced monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA). Our data suggest that the beneficial role of AAV8-Fads1 is likely mediated by the inhibition of fatty acid re-esterification. FADS1 is a promising therapeutic target for MASLD in a diet-dependent manner.
Topics: Animals; Male; Rats; Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase; Dependovirus; Diet, Western; Disease Models, Animal; Fatty Acid Desaturases; Fructose; Hepatocytes; Liver; Phenotype; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Triglycerides
PubMed: 38732052
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094836 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024This paper reports the preparation of margarine fat using Lipozyme TL IM as a catalyst and peony seed oil (PSO), palm stearin (PS) and coconut oil (CO) as raw materials....
This paper reports the preparation of margarine fat using Lipozyme TL IM as a catalyst and peony seed oil (PSO), palm stearin (PS) and coconut oil (CO) as raw materials. The results indicate that there were no significant changes in fatty acid composition before or after interesterification of the oil samples. However, the total amount of medium- and long-chain triglycerides (MLCTs) increased from 2.92% to 11.38% in sample E1 after interesterification, mainly including LaLaO, LaMO, LaPM, LaOO, LaPO and LaPP. Moreover, the slip melting point (SMP) of sample E1 decreased from 45.9 °C (B1) to 33.5 °C. The solid fat content (SFC) of all the samples at 20 °C was greater than 10%, indicating that they could effectively prevent oil exudation. After interesterification, the samples exhibited a β' crystal form and could be used to prepare functional margarine.
PubMed: 38731776
DOI: 10.3390/foods13091405 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Rougui Tea (RGT) is a typical Wuyi Rock Tea (WRT) that is favored by consumers for its rich taste and varied aroma. The aroma of RGT is greatly affected by the process...
Rougui Tea (RGT) is a typical Wuyi Rock Tea (WRT) that is favored by consumers for its rich taste and varied aroma. The aroma of RGT is greatly affected by the process of green-making, but its mechanism is not clear. Therefore, in this study, fresh leaves of RGT in spring were picked, and green-making (including shaking and spreading) and spreading (unshaken) were, respectively, applied after sun withering. Then, they were analyzed by GC-TOF-MS, which showed that the abundance of volatile compounds with flowery and fruity aromas, such as nerolidol, jasmine lactone, jasmone, indole, hexyl hexanoate, (E)-3-hexenyl butyrate and 1-hexyl acetate, in green-making leaves, was significantly higher than that in spreading leaves. Transcriptomic and proteomic studies showed that long-term mechanical injury and dehydration could activate the upregulated expression of genes related to the formation pathways of the aroma, but the regulation of protein expression was not completely consistent. Mechanical injury in the process of green-making was more conducive to the positive regulation of the allene oxide synthase (AOS) branch of the α-linolenic acid metabolism pathway, followed by the mevalonate (MVA) pathway of terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, thus promoting the synthesis of jasmonic acid derivatives and sesquiterpene products. Protein interaction analysis revealed that the key proteins of the synthesis pathway of jasmonic acid derivatives were acyl-CoA oxidase (ACX), enoyl-CoA hydratase (MFP2), OPC-8:0 CoA ligase 1 (OPCL1) and so on. This study provides a theoretical basis for the further explanation of the formation mechanism of the aroma substances in WRT during the manufacturing process.
PubMed: 38731686
DOI: 10.3390/foods13091315 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024The research is focused on the quantitative evaluation of the flaxseed ( L.) proteome at the level of seed cake (SC), fine flour-sieved a fraction below 250 µm (FF)-and...
The research is focused on the quantitative evaluation of the flaxseed ( L.) proteome at the level of seed cake (SC), fine flour-sieved a fraction below 250 µm (FF)-and protein concentrate (PC). The evaluation was performed on three oilseed flax cultivars (Agriol, Raciol, and Libra) with different levels of α-linolenic acid content using LC-MS/MS (shotgun proteomics) analysis, which was finalized by database searching using the NCBI protein database for and related species. A total of 2560 protein groups (PGs) were identified, and their relative abundance was calculated. A set of 33 quantitatively most significant PGs was selected for further characterization. The selected PGs were divided into four classes-seed storage proteins (11S globulins and conlinins), oleosins, defense- and stress-related proteins, and other major proteins (mainly including enzymes). Seed storage proteins were found to be the most abundant proteins. Specifically, 11S globulins accounted for 41-44% of SC proteins, 40-46% of FF proteins, and 72-84% of PC proteins, depending on the cultivar. Conlinins (2S albumins) were the most abundant in FF, ranging from 10 to 13% (depending on cultivar). The second most important class from the point of relative abundance was oleosins, which were represented in SC and FF in the range of 2.1-3.8%, but only 0.36-1.20% in PC. Surprisingly, a relatively high abundance of chitinase was found in flax products as a protein related to defence and stress reactions.
PubMed: 38731659
DOI: 10.3390/foods13091288 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Hemp ( L.) has experienced a significant resurgence in popularity, and global interest in diversifying its use in various industries, including the food industry, is... (Review)
Review
Hemp ( L.) has experienced a significant resurgence in popularity, and global interest in diversifying its use in various industries, including the food industry, is growing. Therefore, due to their exceptional nutritional value, hemp seeds have recently gained increasing interest as a valuable ingredient for obtaining high-quality foods and dietary supplements. Hemp seeds stand out for their remarkable content of quality proteins, including edestin and albumin, two distinct types of proteins that contribute to exceptional nutritional value. Hemp seeds are also rich in healthy lipids with a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic acid (omega-6), alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), and some vitamins (vitamins E, D, and A). Polyphenols and terpenoids, in particular, present in hemp seeds, provide antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This review examines the scientific literature regarding hemp seeds' physicochemical and nutritional characteristics. The focus is on those characteristics that allow for their use in the food industry, aiming to transform ordinary food products into functional foods, offering additional benefits for the body's health. Innovating opportunities to develop healthy, nutritionally superior food products are explored by integrating hemp seeds into food processes, promoting a balanced and sustainable diet.
Topics: Cannabis; Seeds; Functional Food; Nutritive Value; Antioxidants; Humans; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38731588
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092097 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Fatty acids are essential for human health. Currently, there is a search for alternative sources of fatty acids that could supplement such sources as staple crops or...
BACKGROUND
Fatty acids are essential for human health. Currently, there is a search for alternative sources of fatty acids that could supplement such sources as staple crops or fishes. Turions of aquatic plants accumulate a variety of substances such as starch, free sugars, amino acids, reserve proteins and lipids. Our aim is to see if turions can be a valuable source of fatty acids.
METHODS
Overwintering shoots and turions of aquatic carnivorous plants were collected. The plant material was extracted with hexane. The oils were analyzed using a gas chromatograph with mass spectrometer.
RESULTS
The dominant compound in all samples was linolenic acid. The oil content was different in turions and shoots. The oil content of the shoots was higher than that of the turions, but the proportion of fatty acids in the oils from the shoots was low in contrast to the oils from the turions. The turions of species were shown to be composed of about 50% fatty acids.
CONCLUSIONS
The turions of species can be used to obtain oil with unsaturated fatty acids. In addition, the high fatty acid content of turions may explain their ability to survive at low temperatures.
Topics: Fatty Acids; Plant Shoots; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; alpha-Linolenic Acid; Plant Oils
PubMed: 38731554
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092062 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024The quality of fat in infant milk is determined by the fatty acid profile and selected indices describing nutritional value. The aim of this study was to analyze the...
The quality of fat in infant milk is determined by the fatty acid profile and selected indices describing nutritional value. The aim of this study was to analyze the fatty acid profile and lipid quality indices of infant formulas and compare these data with breast milk. The study material included seven types of cow's milk-based follow-on infant formulas and samples of mature breast milk. The determination of fatty acids was performed using the gas chromatography (GC) technique. Lipid quality indices were calculated based on the relevant equations. Infant formulas contained more medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and oleic acid. Moreover, they contained more than 30% more linoleic acid and more than twice as much α-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. In contrast, significant amounts of trans fatty acids (TFAs) were noted in breast milk, while infant formulas contained trace amounts. Infant formulas were characterized by a lower AI (Index of Atherogenicity) (0.49-0.98) and TI (Index of Thrombogenicity) (0.48-0.60) and a higher H/H (hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic) ratio (1.93-2.30) compared with breast milk (1.47, 1.60, and 1.21, respectively). The composition of infant formulas depended on the type of fat added at the production stage and differed significantly from breast milk, particularly in terms of polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipid quality indices.
Topics: Infant Formula; Humans; Fatty Acids; Milk, Human; Infant; Lipids; Female; Nutritive Value; Animals
PubMed: 38731536
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092044