Effects of marine-derived and plant-derived omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on erythrocyte fatty acid composition in type 2 diabetic patients

Characterization and metabolomic profiling of endophytic bacteria isolated from Moringa oleifera and Piper betel leaves

Endophytes are microorganisms residing in plant tissues without causing harm and their relevance in medicinal plants has grown due to their biomolecules used in pharmaceuticals. This study isolated two endophytic bacterial strains from the leaves of M. oleifera and P. betel collected from Junagadh Agricultural University. The isolates were characterized morphologically and physio-biochemically, confirming them as gram-positive or gram-negative rods and cocci. Identification using 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified isolates belonging to various genera, including Priestia aryabhattai and Kocuria rhizophila The SEM characterization of the five selected isolates revealed diverse morphological structures, including coccus and rod shapes, organized in various formations. Isolates varied in size, with N3 (Kocuria rhizophila) cocci and S5 (Priestia aryabhattai) rods. Metabolomic analysis using GC/MS and LC-MS revealed diverse metabolic profiles with key compounds like n-Hexadecanoic acid, Pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, Dihydrocapsaicin, and β-Homoproline, highlighting the potential of these endophytic bacteria in agricultural applications due to their roles in membrane integrity, antioxidant properties, stress response, and antibacterial activity.

Enhancing Rats' Diet with Ethyl Esters Derived from Linseed Oil and Examining the Resulting Changes in Their Blood Fatty Acid Profile

Omega-3 fatty acids are an important factor contributing to the prevention and cure of numerous diseases, and therefore their supplementation with diet is a significant issue. There are numerous supplements on the market containing omega-3 acids, of both plant and animal origin. In our study, we compared an effect of linseed oil, ethyl esters of linseed oil and fish oil supplementation to rats' diet on their blood serum and erythrocyte fatty acid profile. The animals were divided into nine groups, three groups did not receive supplements and differed in dietary fat content, three were fed a high-fat diet for the whole experiment and supplemented, three were fed a high-fat diet and then the control one together with supplements. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. Significant changes in the profile of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as the ration of omega-6 to omega-3, were found in supplemented groups compared to the controls, the changes were more beneficial in groups supplemented with ethyl esters of linseed oil. The results were also more beneficial in groups where in addition to supplementation, there was also a dietary change from high fat to control during the supplementation period. In the case of the erythrocytes, the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) content in ethyl ester-supplemented groups increased (p < 0.05) by about 60-120%, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) by 80%, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by 41-60% compared to the control. In turn, in the blood serum, this increase (p < 0.05) was about 70-125%, 26-40%, and 38-54%, respectively. In the case of ethyl esters, except for an increase in EPA and DHA acids, higher values of ALA were found, which can be further used in the process of conversion to longer-chain omega-3.

The Role of Omega- 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Diabetes Mellitus Management: A Narrative Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic illnesses characterized by elevated levels of glucose in the bloodstream as a result of abnormalities in the generation or function of insulin. Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is an essential component of diabetes management. Dietary fats are essential in both the prevention and progression of chronic diseases. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are recognized for their advantageous impact on health. They assist in controlling blood sugar levels and lipid profile in patients with all types of diabetes. Furthermore, they reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular events and death linked to DM.

RECENT FINDINGS

After evaluating the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antilipidemic, and antidiabetic mechanisms of omega-3 fatty acid supplements, as well as the results from randomized controlled studies, it is clear that these supplements have positive effects in both preventing and treating diabetes, as well as preventing and treating complications related to diabetes, specifically cardiovascular diseases. However, current evidence does not support the use of omega-3 supplementation in people with diabetes for the purpose of preventing or treating cardiovascular events. People with all types of diabetes are suggested to include fatty fish and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids in their diet twice a week, as is prescribed for the general population.

Current Insights into the Effects of Dietary α-Linolenic Acid Focusing on Alterations of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Profiles in Metabolic Syndrome

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.

Comparison of the efficacy of fish oil and probiotic supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Abnormalities in glucose and lipid metabolism contribute to the progression and exacerbation of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Fish oil and probiotics are dietary supplements that have the potential to improve glucose and lipid metabolism. However, their efficacy remains unclear in T2DM patients.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were retrieved to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of fish oil or probiotic supplementation in T2DM patients from the database inception to December 13, 2023. Primary outcome indicators encompassed glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and blood lipid profile (triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC). Secondary outcome indicators included inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α) and adipocytokine (including leptin and adiponectin). The R software was used for statistical analysis, and GraphPad Prism was used for figure rendering.

RESULTS

A total of 60 RCTs involving 3845 T2DM patients were included in the analysis. The results showed that the probiotics (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Propionibacterium, etc.) were more effective in reducing HOMA-IR than fish oil (Surca = 0.935). Bifidobacterium demonstrated the highest efficacy in reducing HbA1c levels (Surca = 0.963). Regarding lipid metabolism, fish oil was superior to probiotics in lowering TG and TC levels (Surca values of 0.978 and 0.902, respectively). Furthermore, fish oil outperformed probiotics in reducing TNF-α (Surca = 0.839) and leptin (Surca = 0.712), and increasing adiponectin levels (Surca = 0.742). Node-splitting analysis showed good consistency (P > 0.05 for direct, indirect, and network comparison across various interventions).

CONCLUSIONS

In T2DM patients, fish oil was more effective than probiotics in regulating lipid metabolism. Probiotics outperformed fish oil in regulating glucose metabolism particularly; specifically, Bifidobacterium showed higher efficacy in reducing blood glucose.

High dietary intake of unsaturated fatty acids is associated with improved insulin resistance - a cross-sectional study based on the NHANES database

BACKGROUND

A moderate intake of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) is associated positively with improved insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the dietary intake of unsaturated fatty acids/total fats (UFA/TF) and insulin resistance.

METHODS

15,560 participants were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database enrolled between March 2017 and 2020, and excluded those under 20 years of age, pregnant, or with missing data for key research items. Finally, 7,630 participants were included in the study. R software was used for data analysis that included: (1) general descriptive statistics; (2) comparison of differences in baseline information of three UFA/TF groups, namely low, medium, and high ratios; (3) calculation of the correlation between the UFA/TF ratio and markers of insulin resistance: triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR); (4) stratification of the study subjects into two groups, with or without insulin resistance, using a cut-off value of HOMA-IR ≥ 2, followed by logistic regression analysis to examine the relationship between UFA/TF and insulin resistance status in the two groups; and (5) further stratification of the subjects according to age, gender, body mass index (BMI), race, total energy intake, total protein, total carbohydrate, total sugars, total dietary fiber, total fat, alcohol consumption, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia to analyze the impact of UFA/TF on insulin resistance status in different subgroups.

RESULTS

(1) A high UFA/TF level was associated with a low TyG index and HOMA-IR [β (vs. TyG index) = -0.559, 95% CI: (-0.821~-0.297), P < 0.001; β (vs. HOMA-IR) = -0.742, 95% CI: (-1.083~-0.402), P < 0.001]. This negative relationship became more pronounced when UFA/TF exceeded 57.9% (i.e., the higher group). (2) Logistic regression analysis showed that a higher UFA/TF level was associated with a lower risk of developing insulin resistance [Q3 vs. Q1: 0.838 (95%CI: 0.709 ~ 0.991); P for trend = 0.038]. After adjusting for covariates such as gender, age, and BMI, this protective effect remained significant (P value < 0.05). (3) Analysis also showed that increased UFA/TF intake reduced the risk of developing insulin resistance (OR = 0.266, 95% CI: (0.075 ~ 0.946), P = 0.041). Subgroup analysis showed that although elevated UFA/TF intake showed no statistically significant difference in its effect in most subgroups, the large study population in this study provides valuable insights on potential changes. Increased UFA/TF intake may confer relatively greater benefits within specific subgroups, particularly among the elderly [Q3 age group, OR = 0.114, 95%CI: (0.012 ~ 1.078), P = 0.058], females [OR = 0.234, 95%CI: (0.041 ~ 1.333), P = 0.102], those with a BMI ≤ 25 kg/m²[OR = 0.191, 95%CI: (0.016 ~ 2.344), P = 0.196], and individuals without hypercholesterolemia [OR = 0.207, 95%CI: (0.042 ~ 1.013), P = 0.0519]. The impact of high UFA/TF levels within subgroups based on the presence or absence of coronary heart disease and stroke displayed contrasting trends. In those without coronary heart disease, there was a significant protective effect against insulin resistance [OR = 0.254, 95% CI: (0.07 ~ 0.929), P = 0.0384], while in the stroke subgroup, a significantly protective effect against insulin resistance was observed [OR = 0.002, 95%CI: (0 ~ 0.695), P = 0.0376].

CONCLUSION

A high dietary intake of UFA relative to total fat consumption could be a protective factor against the risk of developing insulin resistance.

The Role and Mechanism of Perilla frutescens in Cancer Treatment

Perilla frutescens is an annual herb of the Labiatae family and is widely grown in several countries in Asia. Perilla frutescens is a plant that is used medicinally in its entirety, as seen in its subdivision into perilla seeds, perilla stalks, and perilla leaves, which vary more markedly in their chemical composition. Several studies have shown that Perilla frutescens has a variety of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, detoxifying, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective. In the absence of a review of Perilla frutescens for the treatment of cancer. This review provides an overview of the chemical composition and molecular mechanisms of Perilla frutescens for cancer treatment. It was found that the main active components of Perilla frutescens producing cancer therapeutic effects were perilla aldehyde (PAH), rosmarinic acid (Ros A), lignan, and isoestrogen (IK). In addition to these, extracts of the leaves and fruits of Perilla frutescens are also included. Among these, perilla seed oil (PSO) has a preventive effect against colorectal cancer due to the presence of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. This review also provides new ideas and thoughts for scientific innovation and clinical applications related to Perilla frutescens.

Personalized Medicine of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Depression Treatment in Obese and Metabolically Dysregulated Patients

The co-occurrence of depression and obesity has become a significant public health concern worldwide. Recent studies have shown that metabolic dysfunction, which is commonly observed in obese individuals and is characterized by inflammation, insulin resistance, leptin resistance, and hypertension, is a critical risk factor for depression. This dysfunction may induce structural and functional changes in the brain, ultimately contributing to depression's development. Given that obesity and depression mutually increase each other's risk of development by 50-60%, there is a need for effective interventions that address both conditions. The comorbidity of depression with obesity and metabolic dysregulation is thought to be related to chronic low-grade inflammation, characterized by increased circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP). As pharmacotherapy fails in at least 30-40% of cases to adequately treat major depressive disorder, a nutritional approach is emerging as a promising alternative. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are a promising dietary intervention that can reduce inflammatory biomarkers, particularly in patients with high levels of inflammation, including pregnant women with gestational diabetes, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and overweight individuals with major depressive disorder. Further efforts directed at implementing these strategies in clinical practice could contribute to improved outcomes in patients with depression, comorbid obesity, and/or metabolic dysregulation.

The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is a critical pathophysiological process in the onset and advancement of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is well-recognized that alterations in the metabolism of lipids and aberrant fat buildup effectively trigger the development of resistance to insulin. Adjusting one's eating habits and managing weight appropriately are crucial for treating, controlling, and reducing the risk of T2DM because obesity and a lack of physical exercise are the primary factors responsible for the worldwide rise in T2DM. Omega-3 fatty acid is one of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that include long-chain omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, commonly found in fish oils. Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; 3 and 6 PUFAs) are essential for human health because they serve as metabolic precursors of eicosanoids, a class of signaling molecules that are essential for controlling a body's inflammation. Since humans are unable to produce any of the omega-3 or omega-6 PUFAs, they both constitute imperative nutritional ingredients. Long-standing concerns about long-chain omega-3 fatty acids' impact on diabetes management have been supported by experimental investigations that found significant increases in fasting glucose following omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and foods rich in PUFA and omega-3 fatty acid. Cellular explanations to explain the connection between inflammation and IR include mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and oxidative stress. Modifications in the lipid composition of mitochondrial membranes and/or receptor-mediated signaling may be part of the mechanism behind the activation of mitochondrial fusion by fish oil/omega-3 PUFA. The exact molecular processes by which omega-3 PUFAs control mitochondrial activity to defend against IR are still unknown.

Dietary Supplements Potentially Target Plasma Glutathione Levels to Improve Cardiometabolic Health in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be the leading cause of death in people with diabetes mellitus. Severely suppressed intracellular antioxidant defenses, including low plasma glutathione (GSH) levels, are consistently linked with the pathological features of diabetes such as oxidative stress and inflammation. In fact, it has already been established that low plasma GSH levels are associated with increased risk of CVD in people with diabetes. Dietary supplements are widely used and may offer therapeutic benefits for people with diabetes at an increased risk of developing CVDs. However, such information remains to be thoroughly scrutinized. Hence, the current systematic review explored prominent search engines, including PubMed and Google Scholar, for updated literature from randomized clinical trials reporting on the effects of dietary supplements on plasma GSH levels in people with diabetes. Available evidence indicates that dietary supplements, such as coenzyme Q10, selenium, curcumin, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E or D, may potentially improve cardiometabolic health in patients with diabetes. Such beneficial effects are related to enhancing plasma GSH levels and reducing cholesterol, including biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation. However, available evidence is very limited and additional clinical studies are still required to validate these findings, including resolving issues related to the bioavailability of these bioactive compounds.

Dietary Fat Intake among Chinese Adults and Their Relationships with Blood Lipids: Findings from China Nutrition and Health Surveillance and Comparison with the PURE Study

Dietary fat intake in the Chinese population has increased. The PURE (prospective urban rural epidemiology) study concluded the potential advantage of total fat and saturated fats (SFA) over carbohydrates on blood lipids with the inaccurate assessment of dietary fats. We investigated the dietary fat profile among 48,315 participants (aged 30−70 years, national representative) from the China Nutrition and Health Surveillance (2015−2017), determined the relationship of various fats with blood lipid biomarkers in the selected 39,115 participants, and compared the results with the PURE study. Dietary fat intake was calculated by using 3 days of 24 h recalls and food inventory. Serum lipid biomarkers were assessed at morning fasting state by health professionals. Plant fats (21.5% of total energy (TE)) dominated in total fat intake (69.5 g/day, 35.6% TE), with monounsaturated fats (MUFA) in the largest (13.8% TE) portion and plant oils as the major source (43.7%). Two thirds of the population consumed more than 30% TE from dietary fats and nearly half more than 35%, while 26.4% of them exceeded 10% TE from SFA. Total fat was positively associated with total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), but also high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and negatively with triglyceride (TG)-to-HDL-c ratio (TGHDL) (all p-trend < 0.05). Replacing total fat with carbohydrate yielded adverse changes in most biomarkers (higher LDL-c, TG, and TGHDL, lower HDL-c, all p < 0.05) when total fat was low (<34.9% TE). Regardless of fat intake level, replacing plant fat or polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) with carbohydrate yielded the most adverse changes (higher TC, LDL-c, TG, TC-to-HDL-c ratio (TCHDL), and TGHDL, but lower HDL-c, all p < 0.01), while replacing animal fat/SFA with plant fat/PUFA yielded the most favorable changes (lower all biomarkers, all p < 0.01). The results suggested a less harmful effect of carbohydrate on blood lipids when total fat was high, and more beneficial effect of unsaturated fats, than the PURE. In conclusion, dietary fat intake in Chinese adults had reached quite a high level, but with a different profile from Western populations. Replacement of SFA (animal fat) with PUFA (plant fat) could most effectively improve blood lipids, while replacement with carbohydrate could slightly benefit only when total fat was high. The present results may be more applicable to the Chinese population than the PURE study.

Perilla Fruit Oil-Fortified Soybean Milk Intake Alters Levels of Serum Triglycerides and Antioxidant Status, and Influences Phagocytotic Activity among Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

This study aimed to develop perilla fruit oil (PFO)-fortified soybean milk (PFO-SM), identify its sensory acceptability, and evaluate its health outcomes. Our PFO-SM product was pasteurized, analyzed for its nutritional value, and had its acceptability assessed by an experienced and trained descriptive panel (n = 100) based on a relevant set of sensory attributes. A randomized clinical trial was conducted involving healthy subjects who were assigned to consume deionized water (DI), SM, PFO-SM, or black sesame-soybean milk (BS-SM) (n = 48 each, 180 mL/serving) daily for 30 d. Accordingly, health indices and analyzed blood biomarkers were recorded. Consequently, 1% PFO-SM (1.26 mg ALA rich) was generally associated with very high scores for overall acceptance, color, flavor, odor, taste, texture, and sweetness. We observed that PFO-SM lowered levels of serum triglycerides and erythrocyte reactive oxygen species, but increased phagocytosis and serum antioxidant activity (p < 0.05) when compared to SM and BS-SM. These findings indicate that PFO supplementation in soybean milk could enhance radical-scavenging and phagocytotic abilities in the blood of healthy persons. In this regard, it was determined to be more efficient than black sesame supplementation. We are now better positioned to recommend the consumption of PFO-SM drink for the reduction of many chronic diseases. Randomized clinical trial registration (Reference number 41389) by IRSCTN Registry.

Omega-3 fatty acids coordinate glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetic patients

Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are known to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health. However, whether different sources of n-3 PUFA, for instance fatty fish vs vegetable oils, could elicit different effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, remains to be determined. Herein we examine recent findings showing that while a plant-based n-3 PUFA supplementation for six months can reduce fasting blood glucose, marine-based n-3 PUFA can instead reduce serum levels of triglycerides. We also discuss the potential molecular mechanisms that could underlie these different effects on the regulation of glycolipid metabolism.