Vitamin E deficiency decreases long-chain PUFA in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

ABSTRACT: ?-Tocopherol is a required, lipid-soluble antioxidant that protects PUFA. We hypothesized that ?-tocopherol deficiency in zebrafish compromises PUFA status. Zebrafish were fed for 1 y either an ?-tocopherol-sufficient (E+; 500 mg ?-tocopherol/kg) or -deficient (E-; 1.1 mg ?-tocopherol/kg) diet containing ?-linolenic (ALA) and linoleic (LA) acids but without arachidonic acid (ARA), EPA, or DHA. Vitamin E deficiency in zebrafish decreased by ~20% (n-6) (P < 0.05) and (n-3) (P < 0.05) PUFA and increased the (n-6):(n-3) PUFA ratio (P < 0.05). In E- compared to E+ females, long chain-PUFA status was impaired, as assessed by a ~60% lower DHA:ALA ratio (P < 0.05) and a ~50% lower ARA:LA ratio (P < 0.05). fads2 (P < 0.05) and elovl2 (P < 0.05) mRNA expression was doubled in E- compared to E+ fish. Thus, inadequate vitamin E status led to a depletion of PUFA that may be a result of either or both increased lipid peroxidation and an impaired ability to synthesize sufficient PUFA, especially (n-3) PUFA.

SUBMITTER: Lebold KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3223870 | biostudies-other | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other