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Abstract
Associations between and changes in plasma phospholipid fatty acid (FA) concentrations and expression of delta 5 desaturase (D5D), delta 6 desaturase (D6D) and delta 9 desaturase (D9D) in leucocytes were investigated both before and during n‐3 FA supplementation for 2 weeks in 20 healthy individuals. Participants were divided into two groups depending on fish intake: one fish meal or less per week and no marine FA supplement (Lowfish, n = 9) and more than one fish meal per week and/or daily oral marine FA supplement (Highfish, n = 11). Before starting supplementation (t = 0), concentrations of n‐3 FAs were significantly lower in the Lowfish group compared to the Highfish group. During supplementation in both groups, n‐3 FAs increased, whereas n‐6 FAs decreased. D5D expression was significantly higher in Lowfish compared to Highfish at t = 0. No difference in D6D or D9D expression was observed. D5D expression was inversely correlated with EPA, DPA, DHA and total n‐3 FA, and positively correlated with the ratio total n‐6 FA/total n‐3 FA at t = 0. Expression of D5D in the Lowfish group as well as D6D in both groups significantly decreased relative to the expression at t = 0 during the first day of supplement. PUFA concentration was generally predicted by its precursor FA and D5D or D6D expression. The correlations mentioned disappeared after 2 weeks of supplementation. This indicates that steady‐state FA desaturase expression is associated with plasma phospholipid FA composition. Whether leucocyte desaturase expression may have potential as a marker of PUFA status merits further investigation.
| Abbreviations | ||
| AA: | = | Arachidonic acid (20:4n‐6); |
| ALA: | = | Alpha‐linolenic acid (18:3n‐3); |
| D5D: | = | Delta 5 desaturase; |
| D6D: | = | Delta 6 desaturase; |
| D9D: | = | Delta 9 desaturase; |
| DHA: | = | Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3); |
| DHGL: | = | Dihomogamma‐linolenic acid (20:3n‐6); |
| EPA: | = | Eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n‐3); |
| FA: | = | Fatty acids; |
| GLA: | = | Gamma-linolenic acid (18:3n‐6); |
| LA: | = | Linoleic acid (18:2n‐6); |
| MEAD: | = | Mead acid (20:3n‐9); |
| OA: | = | Oleic acid (18:1n‐9); |
| PA: | = | Palmitic acid (16:0); |
| PL: | = | Phospholipids; |
| PBMC: | = | Peripheral blood mononuclear cells; |
| PUFA: | = | Polyunsaturated fatty acids; |
| SA: | = | Stearic acid (18:0). |