Abstract
Objective
Essential fatty acids (EFA) are necessary for growth, development, and biological
function, and must be acquired through the diet. While linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic
acid (ALA) have been considered the true EFAs, we previously demonstrated that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic
acid (AA) taken together as the sole source of dietary fatty acids can prevent biochemical
essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD). This study evaluates the effect of varying
dietary ratios of DHA:AA in the prevention and reversal of biochemical EFAD in a murine
model.
Methods
Using a murine model of EFAD, we provided mice with 2.1% of daily caloric intake in
varying DHA:AA ratios (1:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 200:1, 100:0) for 19 days in association
with a liquid high-carbohydrate fat-free diet to evaluate the effect on fatty acid
profiles. In a second experiment, we evaluated the provision of varying DHA:AA ratios
(20:1, 200:1, 100:0) on the reversal of biochemical EFAD.
Results
Mice provided with DHA and AA had no evidence of biochemical EFAD, regardless of the
ratio (1:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 200:1, 100:0) administered. Biochemical EFAD was reversed
with DHA:AA ratios of 20:1, 200:1, and 100:0 following 3 and 5 weeks of dietary provision,
although the 20:1 ratio was most effective in the reversal and stabilization of the
triene:tetraene ratio.
Conclusion
Provision of DHA and AA, at 2.1% of daily caloric intake in varying ratios can prevent
biochemical evidence of EFAD and hepatic steatosis over the short-term, with a ratio
of 20:1 DHA:AA most effectively reversing EFAD.
Abbreviations:
AA (arachidonic acid), ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), ANOVA (analysis of variance), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), EFA (essential fatty acids), EFAD (essential fatty acid deficiency), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), FA (fatty acid), H&E (hematoxylin and eosin), HCD (high carbohydrate diet), HCO (hydrogenated coconut oil), LA (linoleic acid), MA (Mead acid), PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acid), SD (standard deviation), T:T (triene–tetraene.)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 14, 2012
Accepted:
October 9,
2012
Received:
June 13,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
