Project description:Our previous analyses of placentas revealed sexually dimorphic mRNA expression and responsiveness to maternal dietary supplementation with n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). In this secondary analysis we aimed to explore the respective placental microRNA expression and putative microRNA-mRNA target interactions, and their associations with offspring body composition.
Project description:Analysis of variation in subcutaneous adipose tissue gene expression in response to dietary intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as assessed in a cohot of individuals with metabolic syndrome. Outcomes from this study provide insight on molecular details of dietary effects on gene expression and metabolic health. Subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were taken from a cohort of seventeen individuals with metabolic syndrome. Habitual intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was assessed with 3-day weighed food journals.
Project description:The beneficial effects of dietary long-chain (LC) n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the prevention and/or treatment of some metabolic disorders result largely from their capacity to regulate the transcription level of many genes involved in metabolic and physiological homeostasis, especially in the liver. In this respect, they are known to bind and activate the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor alpha (PPARalpha). The precursor of LC-PUFA, a-linoleic acid (ALA, C18:3 n-3) share some beneficial metabolic effects with its LC derivatives, however its role in gene regulation is poorly documented. Here, we analysed the hepatic transcriptome of mice fed for 5 weeks diets rich in either saturated FA from palm oil (PALM group) or ALA from linseed oil (LIN group). This modification of dietary fatty acid composition in a context of a high fat diet had a subtle but significant effect on the hepatic transcriptome. We identified mainly a group of genes that were upregulated in the LIN vs the PALM group and that include several well-known PPARalpha target genes involved in lipid and xenobiotic metabolism. Liver gene expression was measured in male C57BL/6J mice fed during 5 weeks a high fat diet (51% energy from fat) containing palm oil, rich in saturated fatty acids (n=10) or linseed oil, rich in 18:3 n-3 (n=8)
Project description:Free fatty acids play an important role during infection by modulating immune responses, but also by directly functioning as antimicrobials. Particularly, the host’s long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, not commonly found in bacterial pathogens, have significant antibacterial potential. Of these arachidonic acid (AA) is in high abundance, and in this study we show that upon infection with the Streptococcus pneumoniae the AA concentration in the blood increases. Hence, we investigated the transcriptmoic effects of AA on this extremely problematic bacterial pathogen.
Project description:The aim of the study is to establish the existence of a relationship between the dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the risk of colorectal cancer in humans, using 2 reliable and complementary biomarkers: the fatty acid-composition of lipids of the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte phospholipids.
Project description:Analysis of variation in subcutaneous adipose tissue gene expression in response to dietary intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as assessed in a cohot of individuals with metabolic syndrome. Outcomes from this study provide insight on molecular details of dietary effects on gene expression and metabolic health.
Project description:Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) act as potent natural hypolipidemics and are linked to many health benefits in humans and in animal models. Mice fed long-term a high fat diet, in which medium-chain alpha linoleic acid (ALA) was partially replaced by long-chain docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) fatty acids, showed reduced accumulation of body fat and prevention of insulin resistance, besides increased mitochondrial beta-oxidation in white adipose tissue and decreased plasma lipids. ALA, EPA and DHA all belong to PUFA of n-3 series. The intestine is a gatekeeper organ for ingested lipids. To examine the potential contribution of the intestine in the beneficial effects of EPA and DHA, this study assessed gene expression changes using whole genome microarray analysis on small intestinal scrapings. The main biological process affected was lipid metabolism. Fatty acid uptake, peroxisomal and mitochondrial beta-oxidation, and omega-oxidation of fatty acids were all increased. Quantitative real time PCR and intestinal fatty acid oxidation measurements ([14C(U)]-palmitate) confirmed significant gene expression differences in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, no major changes in the expression of lipid metabolism genes were observed in colonic scrapings. In conclusion, we show that marine n-3 fatty acids regulate small intestinal gene expression patterns. Since this organ contributes significantly to whole organism energy use, this adaptation of the small intestine may contribute to the complex and observed beneficial physiological effects of these natural compounds under conditions that will normally lead to development of obesity and diabetes.
Project description:Dietary supplementation with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs), specifically the fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6 ω-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5 ω-3), is known to have beneficial health effects including improvements in glucose and lipid homeostasis and modulation of inflammation. To evaluate the efficacy of two different sources of ω-3 PUFAs, we performed gene expression profiling in the liver of mice fed diets supplemented with either fish oil or krill oil. We found that ω-3 PUFA supplements derived from a phospholipid krill fraction (krill oil) downregulated the activity of pathways involved in hepatic glucose production as well as lipid and cholesterol synthesis. The data also suggested that krill oil-supplementation increases the activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Surprisingly, an equimolar dose of EPA and DHA derived from fish oil modulated fewer pathways than a krill oil-supplemented diet and did not modulate key metabolic pathways regulated by krill oil, including glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism and the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Moreover, fish oil upregulated the cholesterol synthesis pathway, which was the opposite effect of krill supplementation. Neither diet elicited changes in plasma levels of lipids, glucose or insulin, probably because the mice used in this study were young and were fed a low fat diet. Further studies of krill oil supplementation using animal models of metabolic disorders and/or diets with a higher level of fat may be required to observe these effects. Twenty-one microarrays: three diets (CO, FO, KO) x seven mice per diet x one microarray per mouse