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Effect of Fatty Acids on Chronic Disease Risk and Prevention

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Lipids".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 February 2024) | Viewed by 8587

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Dr. Jennifer M. Monk

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Human Health & Nutritional Sciences, University Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
Interests: epithelial barrier integrity; microbiome; mucosal immune function; immunological tolerance; inflammation; fatty acids; obesity
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Dear Colleagues,

Fatty acids are important for human health, providing not only caloric energy but also supporting vital cellular functions. A dietary composition of various fatty acids [i.e., n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and saturated fatty acids (SFA)] can impact the production of bioactive lipid mediators, cellular functions, and ultimately chronic disease risk. These chronic diseases include, but are not limited to, cardiometabolic diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, neurological conditions and cancer. The aim of this Special Issue is to showcase the latest research focusing on the impact of dietary fatty acids on chronic disease prevention and/or as an intervention strategy within a broad range of conditions. Research utilizing in vitro models, animal models, or human interventions are encouraged and review articles providing new perspectives or identification of emerging research fronts are also suitable.

Dr. Jennifer M. Monk
Guest Editor

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Keywords

polyunsaturated fatty acids
monounsaturated fatty acids
trans fatty acids
saturated fatty acids
oxylipins
diabetes
obesity
cancer
inflammation
cardiovascular disease
human health

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2839 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Lifelong Exposure to Dietary Plant and Marine Sources of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Morphologic and Gene Expression Biomarkers of Intestinal Health in Early Life

by Julianna E. Acosta, Jessie L. Burns, Lyn M. Hillyer, Kelsey Van, Elaina B. K. Brendel, Camille Law, David W. L. Ma and Jennifer M. Monk

Nutrients 2024, 16(5), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16050719 - 1 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1270

Abstract

Altered intestinal health is also associated with the incidence and severity of many chronic inflammatory conditions, which could be attenuated via dietary n-3 PUFA interventions. However, little is known about the effect of lifelong exposure to n-3 PUFA from plant and marine sources (beginning in utero via the maternal diet) on early life biomarkers of intestinal health. Harems of C57Bl/6 mice were randomly assigned to one of three isocaloric AIN-93G modified diets differing in their fat sources consisting of the following: (i) 10% safflower oil (SO, enriched in n-6 PUFA), (ii) 3% flaxseed oil + 7% safflower oil (FX, plant-based n-3 PUFA-enriched diet), or (iii) 3% menhaden fish oil + 7% safflower oil (MO, marine-based n-3 PUFA-enriched diet). Mothers remained on these diets throughout pregnancy and offspring (n = 14/diet) continued on the same parental diet until termination at 3 weeks of age. In ileum, villi:crypt length ratios were increased in both the FX and MO dietary groups compared to SO (p < 0.05). Ileum mRNA expression of critical intestinal health biomarkers was increased by both n-3 PUFA-enriched diets including Relmβ and REG3γ compared to SO (p < 0.05), whereas only the FX diet increased mRNA expression of TFF3 and Muc2 (p < 0.05) and only the MO diet increased mRNA expression of ZO-1 (p < 0.05). In the proximal colon, both the FX and MO diets increased crypt lengths compared to SO (p < 0.05), whereas only the MO diet increased goblet cell numbers compared to SO (p < 0.05). Further, the MO diet increased proximal colon mRNA expression of Relmβ and REG3γ (p < 0.05) and both MO and FX increased mRNA expression of Muc2 compared to SO (p < 0.05). Collectively, these results demonstrate that lifelong exposure to dietary n-3 PUFA, beginning in utero, from both plant and marine sources, can support intestinal health development in early life. The differential effects between plant and marine sources warrants further investigation for optimizing health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Fatty Acids on Chronic Disease Risk and Prevention)

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28 pages, 1348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Influencing Factors on Metabolism of Land-Based n-3 Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids—The KoALA Study

by Timo Drobner, Theresa S. Braun, Michael Kiehntopf, Peter Schlattmann, Stefan Lorkowski and Christine Dawczynski

Nutrients 2023, 15(20), 4461; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15204461 - 20 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1148

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of influencing factors (sex, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) status at baseline, linoleic acid (LA) intake, milk fat intake) on the conversion of α-linolenic acid (ALA) obtained from linseed oil into its long-chain metabolites. In addition, the effect of ALA on cardiovascular risk markers was investigated. This study used a parallel design approach by randomly assigning the 134 subjects to one of four diets (high in LA (HLA); low in LA (LLA); high in milk fat (MF); control (Western diet)) each enriched with linseed oil (10 en%, 22–27 mL ≙ 13–16 g ALA). Blood samples were taken at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of dietary intervention. The study was fully completed by 105 subjects (57.4 ± 12.1 years; 65.7% female). Results showed that ALA (296–465%), C-20:4n3 (54–140%), and EPA (37–73%) concentrations in erythrocytes increased in all groups (p < 0.01). In contrast, docosahexaenoic acid (19–35%, p < 0.01) and n-3 index (10–21%, p < 0.05) dropped in the HLA, LLA, and control groups. An increase in C-22:5n3 was only observed in the MF (36%) and control groups (11%) (p < 0.05). In addition, an increase in LA (7–27%) was found in the HLA, LLA, and control groups, whereas C-20:3n6 (16–22%), arachidonic acid (10–16%), C-22:4n6 (12–30%), and C-22:5n6 (32–47%) decreased (p < 0.01). The conversion into EPA was higher in men than in women (69 vs. 39%, p = 0.043) and in subjects with low EPA status compared to participants with high EPA status (79 vs. 29%, p < 0.001). A high LA status attenuates the conversion rate. In line with the literature, no clear effects on blood lipids and parameters of glucose metabolism were found in relation to ALA supplementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Fatty Acids on Chronic Disease Risk and Prevention)

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16 pages, 7495 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Modulatory Effect of High-Fat Nutrition on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Vagotomized Rats and the Role of the Vagus Nerve

by Maarten F. J. Seesing, Henricus J. B. Janssen, Tessa C. M. Geraedts, Teus J. Weijs, Ingrid van Ark, Thea Leusink-Muis, Gert Folkerts, Johan Garssen, Jelle P. Ruurda, Grard A. P. Nieuwenhuijzen, Richard van Hillegersberg and Misha D. P. Luyer

Nutrients 2023, 15(10), 2327; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15102327 - 16 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1515

Abstract

During esophagectomy, the vagus nerve is transected, which may add to the development of postoperative complications. The vagus nerve has been shown to attenuate inflammation and can be activated by a high-fat nutrition via the release of acetylcholine. This binds to α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR) and inhibits α7nAChR-expressing inflammatory cells. This study investigates the role of the vagus nerve and the effect of high-fat nutrition on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury in rats. Firstly, 48 rats were randomized in 4 groups as follows: sham (sparing vagus nerve), abdominal (selective) vagotomy, cervical vagotomy and cervical vagotomy with an α7nAChR-agonist. Secondly, 24 rats were randomized in 3 groups as follows: sham, sham with an α7nAChR-antagonist and cervical vagotomy with an α7nAChR-antagonist. Finally, 24 rats were randomized in 3 groups as follows: fasting, high-fat nutrition before sham and high-fat nutrition before selective vagotomy. Abdominal (selective) vagotomy did not impact histopathological lung injury (LIS) compared with the control (sham) group (p > 0.999). There was a trend in aggravation of LIS after cervical vagotomy (p = 0.051), even after an α7nAChR-agonist (p = 0.090). Cervical vagotomy with an α7nAChR-antagonist aggravated lung injury (p = 0.004). Furthermore, cervical vagotomy increased macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and negatively impacted pulmonary function. Other inflammatory cells, TNF-α and IL-6, in the BALF and serum were unaffected. High-fat nutrition reduced LIS after sham (p = 0.012) and selective vagotomy (p = 0.002) compared to fasting. vagotomy. This study underlines the role of the vagus nerve in lung injury and shows that vagus nerve stimulation using high-fat nutrition is effective in reducing lung injury, even after selective vagotomy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Fatty Acids on Chronic Disease Risk and Prevention)

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13 pages, 1386 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Serum Fatty Acid Composition Balance by Fuzzy C-Means Method in Individuals with or without Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

by Yuka Nagase, Takao Satoh, Keiichi Shigetome, Naoto Tokumaru, Erika Matsumoto, Kazunori D. Yamada, Tadashi Imafuku, Hiroshi Watanabe, Toru Maruyama, Yasuhiro Ogata, Minoru Yoshida, Junji Saruwatari and Kentaro Oniki

Nutrients 2023, 15(4), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15040809 - 4 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1677

Abstract

Circulating fatty acid composition is assumed to play an important role in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the association between the overall balance of serum fatty acid composition and MAFLD prevalence. This cross-sectional study involved 400 Japanese individuals recruited from a health-screening program. We measured fatty acids in serum lipids using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The serum fatty acid composition balance was evaluated using fuzzy c-means clustering, which assigns individual data points to multiple clusters and calculates the percentage of data points belonging to multiple clusters, and serum fatty acid mass%. The participants were classified into four characteristic subclasses (i.e., Clusters 1, 2, 3, and 4), and the specific serum fatty acid composition balance (i.e., Cluster 4) was associated with a higher MAFLD prevalence. We suggest that the fuzzy c-means method can be used to determine the circulating fatty acid composition balance and highlight the importance of focusing on this balance when examining the relationship between MAFLD and serum fatty acids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Fatty Acids on Chronic Disease Risk and Prevention)

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Review

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24 pages, 370 KiB

Open AccessReview

Assessing the Highest Level of Evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials in Omega-3 Research

by Sandhya Sahye-Pudaruth and David W. L. Ma

Nutrients 2023, 15(4), 1001; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15041001 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2375

Abstract

Over the years, there has been heightened interest in the health benefits of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in reducing chronic diseases such as, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, type 2 diabetes, and acute macular degeneration (AMD). Due to inconsistent findings in the evidence, a review to critically examine the plethora of evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in n-3 PUFA research was undertaken. The aim of this review is to study the highest level of evidence and to identify gaps in n-3 PUFA research. RCTs were originally designed for pharmaceutical research and later adopted for nutrition and food-related research. RCTs with active diseases assume that n-3 PUFA will have “drug” like effects, and this high expectation may have led to the inconsistent evidence in the literature. The inconsistency in the literature may be related to varying doses of n-3 PUFA, sources of n-3 PUFA (food vs. supplement; plant vs. marine), type of n-3 PUFA (mixture vs. purified), trial duration, population characteristics, sample size, and genetic variation. For future research, there is a need to distinguish between primary and secondary prevention, and to focus RCTs on primary prevention of chronic diseases by n-3 PUFA which is lacking in the literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Fatty Acids on Chronic Disease Risk and Prevention)

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