A method for long term stabilisation of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in dried blood spots and its clinical application

Both pre- and early postnatal supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA) and folate have been related to neural development, but their long-term effects on later neural function remain unclear. We evaluated the long-term effects of maternal prenatal supplementation with fish-oil (FO), 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), placebo or FO + 5-MTHF, as well as the role of fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene cluster polymorphisms, on their offspring’s processing speed at later school age. This study was conducted in NUHEAL children at 7.5 (n = 143) and 9 years of age (n = 127). Processing speed tasks were assessed using Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Children Color Trails Test (CCTT) and Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT). Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, folate and total homocysteine (tHcy) levels were determined at delivery from maternal and cord blood samples. FADS and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677 C > T genetic polymorphisms were analyzed. Mixed models (linear and logistic) were performed. There were significant differences in processing speed performance among children at different ages (p < 0.001). The type of prenatal supplementation had no effect on processing speed in children up to 9 years. Secondary exploratory analyses indicated that children born to mothers with higher AA/DHA ratio at delivery (p < 0.001) and heterozygotes for FADS1 rs174556 (p < 0.05) showed better performance in processing speed at 9 years. Negative associations between processing speed scores and maternal tHcy levels at delivery were found. Our findings suggest speed processing development in children up to 9 years could be related to maternal factors, including AA/DHA and tHcy levels, and their genetic background, mainly FADS polymorphism. These considerations support that maternal prenatal supplementation should be quantitatively adequate and individualized to obtain better brain development and mental performance in the offspring.

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Long‐term effects of dietary long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on bone in healthy rats

The FASEB Journal ◽

10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a357-a ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 21 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Rebecca Christine Mollard ◽

Hope Alberta Weiler

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Long Chain

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Butylated hydroxytoluene can protect polyunsaturated fatty acids in dried blood spots from degradation for up to 8 weeks at room temperature

Lipids in Health and Disease ◽

10.1186/1476-511x-12-22 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 22 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Adam H Metherel ◽

Ryan C Hogg ◽

Lindy M Buzikievich ◽

Ken D Stark

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Room Temperature ◽

Dried Blood Spots ◽

Butylated Hydroxytoluene ◽

Blood Spots

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Effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in infant formula on long-term cognitive function in childhood: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0241800 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. e0241800

Author(s):

Maximiliane L. Verfuerden ◽

Sarah Dib ◽

John Jerrim ◽

Mary Fewtrell ◽

Ruth E. Gilbert

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Infant Formula ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Cognitive Differences ◽

Preterm Born ◽

Long Chain

Lack of preformed long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) in infant formula has been hypothesised as contributing to cognitive differences between breast-fed and formula-fed infants. Previous systematic reviews found no cognitive differences between infants fed formula with LCPUFA and those fed formula without, but focused on early developmental measures, such as Bayley Scales of Infant Development, which are poorly differentiating and not predictive of cognitive ability in childhood. This systematic review examined the effect of randomising infants to formula supplemented with LCUFA vs unsupplemented formula on cognitive function ≥ age 2.5 years. We searched Medline, Embase the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials without date limit, following a pre-published protocol according to PRISMA guidelines. We conducted random effects meta-analyses in RevMan v5.4 and followed GRADE and Cochrane Guidelines to evaluate strength of evidence and potential for bias. We included 8 trial cohorts which randomised participants between 1993 and 2004 and analyse 6 previously unpublished outcomes provided by various trialists. Age at the last available cognitive test ranged from 3.3 to 16 years. The pooled mean difference in Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised from four trials in term-born children showed no benefit of LCPUFA: -0.04 points (95% confidence interval -5.94 to 5.85, 95% prediction interval -14.17 to 14.25). The pooled mean difference in Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence score from two trials in preterm-born children also showed no benefit of LCPUFA: -7.71 (95% CI -24.63 to 9.22, 95% PI -97.80 to 82.38). Overall quality of evidence was low, due to substantial heterogeneity, low rates of follow-up, and indications of selective publication. The long-term effect of LCPUFA supplementation in term and preterm-born infants on cognition is highly uncertain and includes potential for large benefit as well as large harm. Based on our findings, LCPUFA supplementation of infant formula is not recommended until further robust evidence excludes long-term harm. Study registration PROSPERO registration numbers CRD42018105196 and CRD42018088868.

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