Effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on lipoprotein lipase activity in 3T3-L1 adipocyte culture

Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during early gestation modified relative abundance on placenta and fetal liver tissue mRNA and concentration pattern of fatty acids in fetal liver and fetal central nervous system of sheep

In sheep, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementations in late gestation increases the growth of offspring; however, there is a lack of evidence on the effect of PUFA supplementation during early gestation. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in early gestation pregnant ewes on fatty acid concentration of fetal liver (FL) and fetal central nervous system (FCNS), and relative abundance of the mRNA for genes associated with transport and metabolism of fatty acids in FL and placenta. A total of 12 ewes, block for stage of gestation were fed a diet containing 1.6% (dry matter basis) monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) or EPA+DHA during the first 45 days of gestation. A cesarean section was conducted on day 45 of gestation to collect placenta (caruncle and cotyledon), FL, and FCNS. Relative abundance of mRNA in FL and FCNS and fatty acid concentration were analyzed using a 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments considering fatty acid supplementation and tissue as the main factors. Concentrations of C18:1 isomers increase (P < 0.05) in FL and FCNS with MUFA supplementation; the FL and FCNS had a greater concentration of C20:3(n-6), C20:3(n-3), C22:1, C22:5 and C22:6 (P < 0.05) with EPA+DHA supplementation. In FL, the relative abundance of LPL mRNA was greater (P = 0.02) as a result of MUFA supplementation. In placenta, there was a FA x tissue interaction for relative abundance of DNMT3b and FFAR-4 mRNA (P < 0.05). Fetus from MUFA-supplemented dams had a greater relative abundance of FABP-4 mRNA (P < 0.05). Results indicate supplementation with EPA+DHA during early gestation increases the total EPA and DHA in FL. For the placenta, EPA+DHA supplementation led to an increase in the relative abundance of lipid mRNA for transport genes.

Conjugated linoleic acid combined with physical activity reduces body fat accumulation but does not modify lean body mass in male and female Wistar rats

Several biological and clinical studies have suggested that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) prevents body fat accumulation and increases lean body mass. CLA is available as a concentrated dietary supplement and is purported to provide the aforementioned benefits for people who perform physical activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a CLA-supplemented diet combined with physical activity on the body composition of Wistar rats. Two groups of Wistar rats of both sexes, between 45 and 60 days old, were fed a diet containing 5.5% soybean oil (control group) or a CLA-supplemented diet (0.5% CLA and 5.0% soybean oil) (test group). Half the rats in both groups were assigned to exercise by running on a treadmill. The biochemical and anatomical body compositions were analyzed. In both groups, CLA had no effect on the dietary consumption or the weight of the liver, heart, and lungs. However, it did influence the overall weight gain of exercised male rats and the chemical and anatomical body composition in exercised and sedentary rats of both sexes. The results confirm that a CLA-supplemented diet with and without physical activity reduced body fat accumulation in rats of both sexes. However, there is no evidence of an increase in the lean body mass of the exercised rats.