DHA/EPA (Omega-3) and LA/GLA (Omega-6) as Bioactive Molecules in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Can Nutraceuticals Support the Treatment of MASLD/MASH, and thus Affect the Process of Liver Fibrosis?

Currently, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) are considered to be the main causes of fibrosis. In turn, fibrosis may lead to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma or advanced cirrhosis, i.e., potentially life-threatening conditions. It is likely that therapy aimed at reducing the risk of developing hepatic steatosis and inflammation could be helpful in minimizing the threat/probability of organ fibrosis. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the influence of nutraceuticals in the prevention and treatment of liver diseases. Therefore, the aim of this review was to describe the precise role of selected ingredients such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, and curcumin. It is likely that the use of these ingredients in the treatment of patients with MASLD/MASH, along with behavioral and pharmacological therapy, may have a beneficial effect on combating inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, and thereby preventing liver damage.

Effects of APOE4 on omega-3 brain metabolism across the lifespan

Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have important roles in human nutrition and brain health by promoting neuronal functions, maintaining inflammatory homeostasis, and providing structural integrity. As Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology progresses, DHA metabolism in the brain becomes dysregulated, the timing and extent of which may be influenced by the apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE4) allele. Here, we discuss how maintaining adequate DHA intake early in life may slow the progression to AD dementia in cognitively normal individuals with APOE4, how recent advances in DHA brain imaging could offer insights leading to more personalized preventive strategies, and how alternative strategies targeting PUFA metabolism pathways may be more effective in mitigating disease progression in patients with existing AD dementia.

Does the ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid to docosahexaenoic acid matter in cancer treatment? A systematic review of their effects on cachexia-related inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of cancer cachexia. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs): eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are known to contribute to the reduction of inflammation, preservation of lean body mass and total body weight, and reduction of cancer-related symptoms, such as anorexia or neuropathy. This systematic review aimed to assess whether the ratio of EPA to DHA used in supplementation in cancer patients matters in the context of the resolution of inflammation and reduction of the risk of cachexia. The analysis included 20 randomized clinical trials with acceptable quality identified from the Pubmed/MEDLINE database. The significant results concerning the resolution of inflammation or improvement in nutritional status were the highest in the case of a low EPA/DHA ratio, i.e., 67%, and decreased, reaching 50% and 36% for the moderate and high ratios, respectively. Most results concerning body weight from high and moderate EPA/DHA ratios showed no benefit or were insignificant. A significant benefit in reducing any reported inflammatory markers was seen in the low EPA/DHA ratio subgroup at 63%, in the moderate at 29%, and in the high ratio subgroup at 11%. The greatest benefit in CRP reduction was obtained by patients during chemotherapy. The review questions the anticachectic and anti-inflammatory effect of ω-3 PUFAs supplementation with doses of EPA higher than DHA. A population that particularly benefits from ω-3 PUFAs supplementation are patients undergoing chemotherapy for advanced cancer.

Characterization of Hair Metabolome in 5xFAD Mice and Patients with Alzheimer's Disease Using Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics

Hair emerged as a biospecimen for long-term investigation of endogenous metabolic perturbations, reflecting the chemical composition circulating in the blood over the past months. Despite its potential, the use of human hair for metabolomics in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research remains limited. Here, we performed both untargeted and targeted metabolomic approaches to profile the key metabolic pathways in the hair of 5xFAD mice, a widely used AD mouse model. Furthermore, we applied the discovered metabolites to human subjects. Hair samples were collected from 6-month-old 5xFAD mice, a stage marked by widespread accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain, followed by sample preparation and high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis. Forty-five discriminatory metabolites were discovered in the hair of 6-month-old 5xFAD mice compared to wild-type control mice. Enrichment analysis revealed three key metabolic pathways: arachidonic acid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. Among these pathways, six metabolites demonstrated significant differences in the hair of 2-month-old 5xFAD mice, a stage prior to the onset of amyloid plaque deposition. These findings suggest their potential involvement in the early stages of AD pathogenesis. When evaluating 45 discriminatory metabolites for distinguishing patients with AD from nondemented controls, a combination of l-valine and arachidonic acid significantly differentiated these two groups, achieving a 0.88 area under the curve. Taken together, these findings highlight the potential of hair metabolomics in identifying disease-specific metabolic alterations and developing biomarkers for improving disease detection and monitoring.

Omega fatty acid ratios and neurodegeneration in a healthy environment

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis pose substantial public health challenges. While genetics play a primary role, recent research emphasizes the impact of environmental factors, particularly diet and lifestyle. This study investigates the initiating effects of Omega (ω)- 3 and Omega (ω)- 6 fatty acids on neuroinflammation, potentially contributing to these diseases. Using BV-2 microglial cells, we explored the influence of different fatty acid compositions and ratios on cell viability, cytokine production, morphological changes, and lipid peroxidation. Notably, a 2/1 ω-6:ω-3 ratio led to decreased cell viability. Fatty acid compositions influenced cytokine secretion, with reduced TNF-α suggesting anti-inflammatory effects. IL-17 increased, while IL-4 and IL-10 decreased in the 15/1 ω-6:ω-3 ratio, indicating complex cytokine interactions. This study found that polyunsaturated fatty acids interventions induced microglial activation, altering cell morphology even without immunostimulants. These findings demonstrate the intricate nature of fatty acid interactions with microglial cells and their potential implications for neuroinflammation. Further research is needed to clarify mechanisms and their relevance to neurodegenerative diseases, informing possible therapeutic strategies.

A review on nonviral, nonbacterial infectious agents toxicity involved in neurodegenerative diseases

Neuronal death, decreased activity or dysfunction of neurotransmitters are some of the pathophysiological reasons for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis. Also, there is evidence for the role of infections and infectious agents in neurodegenerative diseases and the effect of some metabolites in microorganisms in the pathophysiology of these diseases. In this study, we intend to evaluate the existing studies on the role of infectious agents and their metabolites on the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science search engines were searched. Some infectious agents have been observed in neurodegenerative diseases. Also, isolations of some fungi and microalgae have an improving effect on Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.