Dietary effects of corn oil, oleic acid, perilla oil, and evening [corrected] primrose oil on plasma and hepatic lipid level and atherosclerosis in Japanese quail

Triclocarban induces lipid droplet accumulation and oxidative stress responses by inhibiting mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in HepaRG cells

Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (mtFAO) plays an important role in hepatic energy metabolism. Severe mtFAO injury leads to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver failure. Several drugs have been withdrawn owing to safety issues, such as induction of fatty liver disease through mtFAO disruption. For instance, the antimicrobial triclocarban (TCC), an environmental contaminant that was removed from the market due to its unknown safety in humans, induces NAFLD in rats and promotes hepatic FAO in mice. Therefore, there are no consistent conclusions regarding the effects of TCC on FAO and lipid droplet accumulation. We hypothesized that TCC induces lipid droplet accumulation by inhibiting mtFAO in human hepatocytes. Here, we evaluated mitochondrial respiration in HepaRG cells to investigate the effects of TCC on fatty acid-driven oxidation in cells, electron transport chain parameters, lipid droplet accumulation, and antioxidant genes. The results suggest that TCC increases oxidative stress gene expression (GCLM, p62, HO-1, and NRF2) through lipid droplet accumulation via mtFAO inhibition in HepaRG cells. The results of the present study provide further insights into the effect of TCC on human NAFLD through mtFAO inhibition, and further in vivo studies could be used to validate the mechanisms.

A metabolomics discrimination-based strategy for screening the antithrombin active markers of perilla seeds: A natural oil crop

Natural crops oil with high nutritional value has gradually attracted attention. Perilla seeds are regarded as a source of functional edible oil in America, Asia and European countries due to its abundant nutrients. In this research, samples were extracted by different polarity solvents and evaluated their thrombin inhibition activities in vitro. Metabolomics combined with chemometrics revealed the antithrombin active markers of perilla seeds. The enzyme kinetics and molecular docking results were useful in clarifying their inhibition of thrombin. The orthogonal experimental design was applied to optimize the extraction process of six antithrombin active markers from perilla seeds. The results showed that rosmarinic acid, luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, α-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and oleic acid were screened out as functional and active markers. Besides, perilla seeds as a natural oil crop had the potential of antithrombin. It can also be applied in the food field because of its nutraceutical functions. Metabolomics combined with chemometrics will facilitate the discovery of functional, active markers in perilla seeds, which is conducive to accurate quality control.

Untargeted Metabolomics Based Prediction of Therapeutic Potential for Apigenin and Chrysin

The prominent flavonoids apigenin and chrysin have been demonstrated to have systemic benefits. Our previous work was first to establish the impact of apigenin and chrysin on cellular transcriptome. In the current study, we have revealed the ability of apigenin and chrysin to alter the cellular metabolome based on our untargeted metabolomics. Based on our metabolomics data, both these structurally related flavonoids demonstrate diverging and converging properties. Apigenin demonstrated the potential to possess anti-inflammatory and vasorelaxant properties through the upregulation of intermediate metabolites of alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid pathways. Chrysin, on the other hand, exhibited abilities to inhibit protein and pyrimidine synthesis along with downregulation of gluconeogenesis pathways based on the altered metabolites detected. Chrysin-mediated metabolite changes are mostly due to its ability to modulate L-alanine metabolism and the urea cycle. On the other hand, both the flavonoids also demonstrated converging properties. Apigenin and chrysin were able to downregulate metabolites involved in cholesterol biosynthesis and uric acid synthesis, namely 7-dehydrocholesterol and xanthosine, respectively. This work will provide understanding regarding the diverse therapeutic potential of these naturally occurring flavonoids and help us in curbing an array of metabolic complications.

Dietary intake of fats and fatty acids in the Korean population: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to estimate average total fat and fatty acid intakes as well as identify major food sources using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VI-1 (2013).

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Total fat and fatty acid intakes were estimated using 24-hour dietary recall data on 7,048 participants aged ≥ 3 years from the KNHANES VI-1 (2013). Data included total fat, saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), n-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA), and n-6 fatty acid (n-6 FA) levels. Population means and standard errors of the mean were weighted in order to produce national estimates and separated based on sex, age, income, as well as residential region. Major food sources of fat, SFA, MUFA, PUFA, n-3 FA, and n-6 FA were identified based on mean consumption amounts of fat and fatty acids in each food.

RESULTS

The mean intake of total fat was 48.0 g while mean intakes of SFA, MUFA, PUFA, n-3 FA, and n-6 FA were 14.4 g, 15.3 g, 11.6 g, 1.6 g, and 10.1 g, respectively. Intakes of MUFA and SFA were each higher than that of PUFA in all age groups. Pork was the major source of total fat, SFA, and MUFA, and soybean oil was the major source of PUFA. Milk and pork were major sources of SFA in subjects aged 3-11 years and ≥ 12 years, respectively. Perilla seed oil and soybean oil were main sources of n-3 FA in subjects aged ≥ 50 years and aged < 50 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Estimation of mean fatty acid intakes of this study using nationally represented samples of the Korean population could be useful for developing and evaluating national nutritional policies.

Effects of perilla oil on plasma concentrations of cardioprotective (n-3) fatty acids and lipid profiles in mice

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of perilla oil as well as several vegetable oils, including flaxseed oil, canola oil, and rice bran oil on plasma levels of cardioprotective (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids in mice by feeding each vegetable oil for a period of eight weeks. Concentrations of docosapentaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), fish-based (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids, showed an increase in the plasma of mice fed perilla and flaxseed oils compared to those of mice in the control group (P < 0.05), whereas rice bran and canola oils did not alter plasma DPA and EPA concentrations. Arachidonic acid concentration was increased by feeding rice bran oil (P < 0.05), but not canola, flaxseed, or perilla oil. In addition, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid concentrations were altered by feeding dietary rice bran, canola, perilla, and flaxseed oils. Findings of this study showed that perilla oil, similar to flaxseed oil, is cardioprotective and could be used as an alternative to fish oil or even flaxseed oil in animal models.

Effects of roasting conditions on the physicochemical properties and volatile distribution in perilla oils (Perilla frutescens var. japonica)

Perilla seeds have more than 60% of α-linolenic acid, one of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Headspace volatiles and physicochemical properties including color, fluorescence intensity, and the oxidation products in perilla oil (PO) from perilla seeds roasted at different conditions were analyzed. Roasting temperature was 150, 170, 190, and 210°C, and roasting time was 15 and 30 min at each roasting temperature. PO from higher roasting temperature and longer roasting time had lower L* values, higher a*, b*, and chroma values, more brown pigments and fluorescence intensity, and more conjugated dienoic acids. Pyrazines were major volatiles in PO, and furans, sulfur-containing compounds, and hydrocarbons were also detected by a solid phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In PO, 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine and 2-furancarboxaldehyde were 2 major volatiles. The principal component analysis of volatiles showed the 1st principal component (PC1) and the 2nd principal component (PC2) express 56.64% and 22.72% of the volatile variability in PO, respectively, which can differentiate PO prepared from roasting conditions clearly. Some physicochemical properties especially brown pigment and volatiles were positively correlated with each other in PO.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Perilla oil (PO) from perilla seeds possesses more than 60% of α-linolenic acid, one of omega-3 fatty acids. Roasting process has been used to extract oil from perilla seeds. Understanding physicochemical properties of PO from diverse roasting conditions are important steps to produce PO in food industry. Roasting process induces darkening of color, increase of fluorescence intensity, and brown pigments in PO. Pyrazines and furans are major headspace volatiles in PO roasted above 170°C. The results of this study can help to produce PO in industrial scales with desired headspace volatiles, colors, and oxidative state.

Temperature dependence of autoxidation of perilla oil and tocopherol degradation

Temperature dependence of the autoxidation of perilla oil and tocopherol degradation was studied with corn oil as a reference. The oils were oxidized in the dark at 20, 40, 60, and 80 degrees C. Oil oxidation was determined by peroxide and conjugated dienoic acid values. Tocopherols in the oils were quantified by HPLC. The oxidation of both oils increased with oxidation time and temperature. Induction periods for oil autoxidation decreased with temperature, and were longer in corn oil than in perilla oil, indicating higher sensitivity of perilla oil to oxidation. However, time lag for tocopherol degradation was longer in perilla oil, indicating higher stability of tocopherols in perilla oil than in corn oil. Activation energies for oil autoxidation and tocopherol degradation were higher in perilla oil (23.9 to 24.2, 9.8 kcal/mol, respectively) than in corn oil (12.5 to 15.8, 8.8 kcal/mol, respectively) indicating higher temperature-dependence in perilla oil. Higher stability of tocopherols in perilla oil was highly related with polyphenols. The study suggests that more careful temperature control is required to decrease the autoxidation of perilla oil than that of corn oil, and polyphenols contributed to the oxidative stability of perilla oil by protecting tocopherols from degradation, especially at the early stage of oil autoxidation.

Omega-3 fatty acid application reduces yolk and plasma cholesterol levels in Japanese quails

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, on the cholesterol levels in egg yolk and plasma in Japanese quail. Additionally, the effects of these fatty acids on selected biochemical parameters, and yolk and quail weights were investigated. Thirty healthy laying Japanese quails were divided into two groups including control and omega-3 fatty acid treated group. Fish oil capsules were administrated orally to the quails in the omega-3 treated group every other day for 3 weeks. Yolk cholesterol level was found to be significantly lower in the omega-3 treated group compared to the control. Plasma cholesterol levels were lower; plasma calcium levels were higher at 3rd week in omega-3 fatty acid treated group than those in control. On the other hand, plasma phosphorus and glucose levels in omega-3 fatty acid group were significantly lower at 3rd week than those at the beginning of experiment. In conclusion, it was found that orally supplemented omega-3 fatty acid reduced the levels of cholesterol in egg yolk and plasma in quails.

Plasma lipids and fatty acid composition in parrots in relation to the intake of alpha-linolenic acid from two feed mixtures

The main objective of this study was to find out whether the content of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in plasma cholesteryl-esters (CE) or triglycerides (TG) in parrots might serve as an index of ALA intake. The intake of ALA might be a risk factor for atherosclerosis, but on the basis of the fatty acid composition of seed mixtures the intake is difficult to assess due to selective eating of seeds. Parrots were fed two seed mixtures that differed in ALA content according to a cross over design. The macronutrient composition of the diets supplied differed from that of the diets consumed. The diets consumed had higher levels of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat and energy, and lower levels of crude fibre and crude ash. The ALA content, expressed as g/kg diet, was similar for the diet supplied and that consumed, irrespective of the type of diet. The diets had no systematic effect on plasma lipid concentrations. There were marked differences in plasma cholesterol concentrations between parrot species. When the diet with the low ALA content was fed (0.8% ALA of total fatty acids consumed, 1.1 g ALA/kg of diet consumed), the plasma CE and TG did not contain detectable ALA amounts. When the diet with the high ALA content was fed (4.2% ALA of total fatty acids consumed, 6.1 g ALA/kg of diet consumed), the plasma CE and TG contained about 1% ALA of total fatty acids. It is suggested that the content of ALA in plasma CE and TG might be used as an indicator of ALA intake.

Atherosclerosis in parrots. A review

Atherosclerosis is a common disease in parrots. The disease is found in all common parrot species, but especially in African Grey parrots and Amazons. It is a disease of older birds that is seen in both males and females. The most common sign is sudden death, but clinical symptoms that can be found include dyspnea, lethargy and nervous signs, such as paresis and collapses. Because the clinical signs are seldomly seen, it is difficult to diagnose atherosclerosis and therefore it is mostly an unexpected finding at necropsy. Age and species are determinants of atherosclerosis in parrots. Suggested risk factors include an elevated plasma cholesterol level, diet composition, social stress and inactivity, but research is needed to confirm this.

Bioavailability of omega-3 essential fatty acids from perilla seed oil

Increased dietary intake of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentanoic acid and docosohexanoic acid, and their precursor, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), is associated with various health benefits. Enteric-coating (Entrox), which improves stability of omega-3 capsules, has been shown to facilitate fish oil absorption after chronic treatment. To assess the effect of Entrox coating on the short-term bioavailability of ALA administered in the form of ALA-rich Perilla seed oil, 12 healthy subjects (6 males and 6 females) received in a random order Entrox-coated and non-coated ALA formulations, each as a single 6g dose separated by a 3-week washout period. Measurements of plasma ALA concentrations from 0 to 24h showed no difference in ALA pharmacokinetics between the two formulations. However, significantly greater increases in plasma ALA levels from baseline to 24h were observed after ingestion of Entrox vs. non-coated product, suggesting a possible benefit of Entrox with long-term treatment.

Incorporation of [1-13C]oleate into cellular triglycerides in differentiating 3T3L1 cells

Oleate is one of the most abundant dietary fatty acids, and much remains to be learned about its metabolism in fat cells. We studied the incorporation of exogenous [1-13C]oleate into triglycerides (TG) in differentiating 3T3L1 preadipocytes using 13C NMR spectroscopy. The quantity of oleate incorporated into TG was found to increase as preadipocytes differentiated into fat cells. The ratio of unesterified [1-13C]oleate to total stored fatty acids was higher in less differentiated cells, and declined at later stages of differentiation as cells accumulated fatty acids through de novo synthesis. When added as the only exogenous fatty acid, oleate was largely esterified at the sn-2 position. When equimolar unlabeled linoleate was co-provided at the same time, the ratio of [1-13C]oleate esterified at the sn-1,3 position increased, implying competition between linoleate and oleate for esterification, especially at the sn-2 position. When cells pre-enriched with [1-13C]oleate (esterified to TG) were treated with isoproterenol, a lipolytic agent, most of the [1-13C]oleate was still found in TG, despite a high rate of lipolysis determined by measuring glycerol release. This implies extensive re-esterification of the oleate released by lipolysis.