Cardiometabolic Risk Factors at 5 Years After Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Infancy

Increased Odds of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Are Linked to Reduced n-6, but Not n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Plasma

The increasing prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) underscores the need for better understanding of its complex pathogenesis. Lipid accumulation in hepatocytes is among principal mechanisms contributing to MASLD development. While routine lipid parameters are well studied, the profile of circulating fatty acids in MASLD patients remains less explored. This study aimed to assess relative proportions of individual fatty acids in plasma of MASLD patients and to explore their associations with other biochemical markers of MASLD. Ninety-one patients and 48 healthy individuals were enrolled. The relative proportions of fatty acids in plasma were determined using gas chromatography with FID detection. Proportions of total n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and linoleic acid (LA) in plasma were lower in MASLD patients (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively), with no differences observed in n-3 PUFAs. Total plasma n-6 PUFAs correlated negatively with body mass index, hepatic steatosis indices, triglyceride concentration and coronary risk index. Decreased prevalence of n-6 PUFAs in plasma was independently associated with higher odds of MASLD (OR = 0.769; CI: 0.611-0.968; p = 0.025). Our findings indicate an altered circulatory fatty acid distribution in MASLD, characterized by a reduced amount of n-6 PUFAs, particularly LA, which may have significant implications for the prevention and treatment of MASLD.

Docosahexaenoic Acid as the Bidirectional Biomarker of Dietary and Metabolic Risk Patterns in Chinese Children: A Comparison with Plasma and Erythrocyte

Objective: The present study aims to measure docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in both the plasma and erythrocyte of a child population and compares them with respect to their associations with dietary and metabolic risk patterns. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, and a total of 435 children ages 5−7 years old were recruited. Diet information was collected using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The physical indicators, blood pressure, and glycolipid metabolic indicators were determined. The plasma and erythrocyte DHA were analyzed using a gas chromatography mass spectrometer. Principal component analysis was used to identify dietary and metabolic risk patterns. Multivariate regression analyses were used to investigate the associations of DHA status with dietary and metabolic risk patterns. Results: A significant correlation between plasma and the erythrocyte DHA concentration was found (r = 0.232, p < 0.001). A diversified dietary pattern characterized that a high intake of diversified foods had a positive association with the plasma DHA level (β = 0.145, 95% CI: 0.045~0.244, p = 0.004). Children of obesity risk patterns with a high weight, pelvis breadth, BMI, upper arm circumference, and chest circumference had lower plasma DHA concentrations (OR = 0.873, 95% CI: 0.786~0.969, p = 0.011). Children with higher plasma and erythrocyte DHA concentrations were adhered to blood lipid risk patterns with high CHOL and LDL-C levels. The plasma DHA (OR = 1.271, 95% CI: 1.142~1.415, p < 0.001) had a stronger association with a blood lipid risk pattern than erythrocyte (OR = 1.043, 95% CI: 1.002~1.086, p = 0.040). Conclusions: The diversified dietary pattern had a higher plasma DHA concentration. Lower levels of plasma DHA were positively associated with obesity in children. DHA in plasma appears to be more strongly associated with blood lipid metabolism than erythrocyte. Plasma DHA may be a more sensitive bidirectional biomarker to evaluate the recently comprehensive diet intake and metabolic risk of children.

Intake of n-3 LCPUFA and trans-fatty acids is unrelated to development in body mass index and body fat among children

BACKGROUND

The number of children and adolescents with obesity has increased worldwide. Some studies have found an increase in the intake of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) to be beneficial for weight and obesity status. The objectives of this study were to examine if intake of trans-fatty acids (TFA) and n-3 LCPUFA at school start was associated with weight and body fat development in the following 3 and 7 years, and if substituting other fats for n-3 LCPUFA in regression models influenced weight and body fat development.

METHODS

A total of 285 children (boys:130, girls:155) were included in this study. Weight, height and skinfold thickness (SF) of children were measured at age 6, 9 and 13 years by trained research personnel. Multivariate linear regression models were used to investigate the associations between n-3 LCPUFA or TFA intake and subsequent changes in body mass index (BMI) or SF. To investigate substitution effects, we constructed regression models including information on n-3 LCPUFA and all other energy given components of the diet, except for the nutrient to be substituted (all other fats and specific subgroups; saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and other polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)).

RESULTS

No significant associations were observed between intake of TFA or n-3 LCPUFA and changes in BMI and SF. Also, results from regression analysis showed substituting other fats for n-3 LCPUFA did not associate with BMI or SF development.

CONCLUSION

The lack of associations between n-3 LCPUFA and TFA and adiposity suggests that fat composition in the diet does not play a major role in obesity development among school-aged children.

Serum polyunsaturated fatty acids in infancy are associated with body composition in adolescence

BACKGROUND

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been related to the development of adiposity. N-3 PUFA appears to be protective against obesity risk, while n-6 PUFA may be associated with greater adiposity. However, most studies have been conducted among adults. The role of PUFA in infancy is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations of serum PUFA at age 1 year with age- and sex-adjusted body mass index Z score (BMIZ) change through age 16 years and body composition at 16 years.

METHODS

We quantified serum PUFA in 636 Chilean infants aged 1 year. We measured BMIZ at ages 1, 5, 10 and 16 years, and body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at 16 years. We estimated differences in 1- to 16-years BMIZ change between PUFA quartiles from multivariable linear mixed models with restricted cubic splines. At 16 years, we estimated differences in total fat mass (ToFM), truncal fat mass (TrFM), total lean mass (TLM), percent total fat mass (%ToFM) and percent truncal fat mass (%TrFM) between PUFA quartiles using linear regression.

RESULTS

PUFA were not associated with BMIZ change. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) was positively associated with TrFM (P = .03) and %TrFM (P < .0001) at 16 years while eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was inversely associated with %TrFM (P = .001). Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) was positively associated with ToFM (P = .01), TrFM (P = .009), %ToFM (P = .02) and %TrFM (P = .02). Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and the Δ6-desaturase (D6D) activity index were each positively, linearly associated with ToFM, TrFM and %ToFM. The Δ5-desaturase (D5D) activity index was inversely associated with %TrFM (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

ALA, DPA, GLA and the D6D index at 1 year of age were positively associated with adiposity at age 16 years, while EPA and the D5D index were inversely associated with central adiposity. Our results related to EPA and desaturase indices are in agreement with limited prior studies.

Early-Life Nutrition Interventions and Associated Long-Term Cardiometabolic Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Early-life nutrition interventions can have lifelong cardiometabolic benefits. Most evidence on this topic is derived from observational studies. We evaluated the association of randomized controlled nutritional trials in early life and long-term cardiometabolic outcomes. Through literature search of PubMed, CABI Global Health, Embase, and Cochrane, with manual reference check and weekly alert from PubMed, we identified 8312 records, and included 53 records from 40 cohorts in 21 countries. The total number of participants was 33,551. Interventions were initiated as early as conception, and the longest until 7 y (except 1 study from infancy to 20 y). The cohorts were followed up for between 3 and 73 y. We identified 7 types of interventions (protein-energy supplements, long-chain PUFAs, single micronutrient, multiple micronutrients, infant and young child feeding, dietary counseling, and other) and 4 categories of cardiometabolic outcomes (biomarkers, cardiovascular, body size and composition, and subclinical/clinical outcomes). Most findings were null. Fasting glucose concentration was 0.04 mmol/L lower (95% CI: -0.05, -0.02 mmol/L; I2 = 0%) in the intervention groups than in the control groups (15 studies). BMI (kg/m2) was 0.20 higher (95% CI: 0.12, 0.28; I2 = 54%) in the intervention groups than control groups (14 studies). No significant effect was observed for total cholesterol (12 studies) or blood pressure (17 studies). Ongoing and personalized dietary counseling was associated with lower glucose and cholesterol, better endothelial function, and reduced risk of metabolic syndrome. The timing of intervention mattered, with earlier initiation conferring greater benefit (improved lipid profile and marginally lower glucose concentration) based on 2 studies. In sum, glucose concentration was lower following early-life nutrition interventions, but there is a risk of unintended consequences, including higher BMI. Maternal and child nutrition interventions must be evidence-based and tailored to each population to promote long-term cardiometabolic health.

Breast milk n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and blood pressure: an individual participant meta-analysis

Purpose

It is controversial whether a higher intake of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC PUFA) through breastfeeding is associated or not to a lower blood pressure (BP) during childhood. We aimed to clarify this point by undertaking a meta-analysis involving the data from seven European birth cohorts.

Methods

We searched https://www.birthcohort.net for studies that had collected breast milk samples, and had at least one BP measurement in childhood. Principal investigators were contacted, and all agreed to share data. One additional study was identified by contacts with the principal investigators. For each cohort, we analyzed the association of breast milk n-3 LC PUFAs with systolic and diastolic BP with linear mixed effects models or linear regression, and pooled the estimates with a random effects model. We also investigated age-specific and sex-specific associations.

Results

A total of 2188 participants from 7 cohorts were included. Overall, no associations between breast milk n-3 LC PUFAs and BP were observed. In the pooled analysis, each 0.1 wt% increment in breast milk docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was associated with a 1.19 (95% CI − 3.31, 0.94) mmHg lower systolic BP. Associations were similar for boys and girls and at different ages.

Conclusion

In this individual participant meta-analysis, we found no evidence for an association between breast milk n-3 LC PUFAs and BP.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00394-020-02310-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The impact of sea buckthorn oil fatty acids on human health

The beneficial properties of fatty acids have been undervalued for several years. In contraposition, new studies reveal that fatty acids have an essential role for human health. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the clinical applications of fatty acids present in sea buckthorn oil. The composition of fatty acids found in sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) oil is unique for this species, presenting a vast range of health benefits for humans and therefore it is highly valued by both biomedicine and the cosmetic industry. In this way, we will see the clinical effect of monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids that constitute sea buckthorn oil and how they contribute to the correct function of the organism. Despite there being studies that support the positive effects of sea buckthorn fatty acids, they are limited. Hence, most of the results obtained in this review are from studies of isolated fatty acids instead of fatty acids extracted from sea buckthorn oil. These facts permit to demonstrate the effect of sea buckthorn fatty acids separately but we lost the possibility of detecting a synergic effect of all of them. More studies are necessary to certify the clinical application of the fatty acids present in sea buckthorn oil as well as discovering possible synergies between them.

Content of n-3 LC-PUFA in Breast Milk Four Months Postpartum is Associated with Infancy Blood Pressure in Boys and Infancy Blood Lipid Profile in Girls

Blood pressure (BP) and blood lipid profile (BLP) have been shown to track from childhood into adulthood, and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) in breast milk have been suggested as mediators of the beneficial long-term effect of breastfeeding on BP and BLP. We aimed to investigate associations between n-3 LC-PUFA content in breast milk at 4 months postpartum and offspring BP and BLP in early life. BP and BLP were measured at 4, 18, and 36 months. Statistical analyses were sex-stratified and adjusted for gestational age, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and maternal educational level. Based on 336 mother-child dyads, high n-3 LC-PUFA in breast milk was inversely associated with systolic and diastolic BP in boys at 4 months (β = −20.0 (95% CI = −33.4, −6.7), p = 0.004 and β = −10.2 (95% CI = −19.8, −0.5), p = 0.039, respectively); inversely associated with HDL cholesterol, and directly associated with triglyceride in girls at 4 months (β = −0.7 (95% CI = −1.1, −0.3), p = 0.001 and β = 3.1 (95% CI = 1.0, 5.2), p = 0.005, respectively). Associations observed at the later time points were non-significant. Furthermore, we observed sex-specific changes over time in both size and direction of the associations. Our results indicate that early intake of n-3 LC-PUFA can affect early development in cardiometabolic factors such as BP and BLP in a sex-specific manner. Follow-up and further investigation in later childhood is planned.