scholarly journals Fetal and Neonatal Levels of Omega-3: Effects on Neurodevelopment, Nutrition, and Growth

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Rombaldi Bernardi ◽  
Renata de Souza Escobar ◽  
Charles Francisco Ferreira ◽  
Patrícia Pelufo Silveira
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Brain Development ◽  
Neural Development ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Critical Periods ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Dietary Nutrients

Nutrition in pregnancy, during lactation, childhood, and later stages has a fundamental influence on overall development. There is a growing research interest on the role of key dietary nutrients in fetal health. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFAs) play an important role in brain development and function. Evidence from animal models of dietary n-3 LCPUFAs deficiency suggests that these fatty acids promote early brain development and regulate behavioral and neurochemical aspects related to mood disorders (stress responses, depression, and aggression and growth, memory, and cognitive functions). Preclinical and clinical studies suggest the role of n-3 LCPUFAs on neurodevelopment and growth. n-3 LCPUFAs may be an effective adjunctive factor for neural development, growth, and cognitive development, but further large-scale, well-controlled trials and preclinical studies are needed to examine its clinical mechanisms and possible benefits. The present paper discusses the use of n-3 LCPUFAs during different developmental stages and the investigation of different sources of consumption. The paper summarizes the role of n-3 LCPUFAs levels during critical periods and their effects on the children’s neurodevelopment, nutrition, and growth.

scholarly journals Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Their Role in Pediatric Cancer

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1800
Author(s):  
Alexandra Podpeskar ◽  
Roman Crazzolara ◽  
Gabriele Kropshofer ◽  
Benjamin Hetzer ◽  
Bernhard Meister ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Pediatric Oncology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Medical Subject Headings

Background: Malnutrition is common in children with cancer and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The need for supportive care is becoming ever more evident and the role of nutrition in oncology is still not sufficiently understood. In particular, the consequences of macro- and micronutrient deficiencies require further research. As epidemiological data suggest anti-tumoral properties of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), we reviewed the role of nutrition and n-3 supplementation in pediatric oncology. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed through 5 February 2021 to select meta-analyses, systematic reviews, observational studies, and individual randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on macro- and micronutrient supplementation in pediatric oncology. The search strategy included the following medical subject headings (MeSH) and keywords: “childhood cancer”, “pediatric oncology”, “nutritional status”, “malnutrition”, and “omega-3-fatty-acids”. The reference lists of all relevant articles were screened to include potentially pertinent studies. Results: We summarize evidence about the importance of adequate nutrition in childhood cancer and the role of n-3 PUFAs and critically interpret findings. Possible effects of supplementation on the nutritional status and benefits during chemotherapy are discussed as well as strategies for primary and secondary prevention. Conclusion: We here describe the obvious benefits of omega-3 supplementation in childhood cancer. Further large scale clinical trials are required to verify potential anti-cancer effects of n-3 fatty acids.

scholarly journals Fish, Fish Oils and Cardioprotection: Promise or Fish Tale?

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 3703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akshay Goel ◽  
Naga Pothineni ◽  
Mayank Singhal ◽  
Hakan Paydak ◽  
Tom Saldeen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Fish Oil ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
The Body ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Membrane Phospholipids

Fish and commercially available fish oil preparations are rich sources of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the most important fatty acids in fish oil. Following dietary intake, these fatty acids get incorporated into the cell membrane phospholipids throughout the body, especially in the heart and brain. They play an important role in early brain development during infancy, and have also been shown to be of benefit in dementia, depression, and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Early epidemiologic studies show an inverse relationship between fish consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease. This led to the identification of the cardioprotective role of these marine-derived fatty acids. Many experimental studies and some clinical trials have documented the benefits of fish oil supplementation in decreasing the incidence and progression of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmias, and stroke. Possible mechanisms include reduction in triglycerides, alteration in membrane fluidity, modulation of cardiac ion channels, and anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and anti-arrhythmic effects. Fish oil supplements are generally safe, and the risk of toxicity with methylmercury, an environmental toxin found in fish, is minimal. Current guidelines recommend the consumption of either one to two servings of oily fish per week or daily fish oil supplements (around 1 g of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids per day) in adults. However, recent large-scale studies have failed to demonstrate any benefit of fish oil supplements on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. Here, we review the different trials that evaluated the role of fish oil in cardiovascular diseases.

Supplementation of ewe diets with algal biomass rich in Docosahexaenoic acid for different time periods before lambing affects measures of lamb viability

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 ◽  
pp. 89-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Pickard ◽  
A. P. Beard ◽  
C. J. Seal ◽  
S. A. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Docosahexaenoic Acid ◽  
Neural Development ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Essential Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Ruminant Species ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Time Periods

The improvement of neonatal viability by maternal nutrition during gestation has been widely studied in numerous species. Recent investigations have explored the role of long chain omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) in maternal diets during pregnancy. These are the major fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in particular, in brain and nervous tissue, with specific roles in neural development and cognitive function. Studies in monogastric species have shown that supplementing maternal gestation diets with EFAs positively influences neonatal survival and growth (Rooke et al., 2001), but work in ruminant species is scarce. Previous investigations have predominantly used fish oil as the source of omega-3 EFAs but alternative, more sustainable, sources are desirable. To date, the effect of period of inclusion of EFAs in gestation diets has not been thoroughly explored. The period of rapid brain growth in the ovine foetus occurs between 10 and 6 weeks prior to birth (Turley et al., 1996). This study explored the effects of feeding an algal source of EFAs, with a high content of DHA, during different time periods on measures of lamb viability.

scholarly journals Neuroinflammation and Brain Development: Possible Risk Factors in COVID-19-Infected Children

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Luana da Silva Chagas ◽  
Poliana Capucho Sandre ◽  
Patricia Coelho de Velasco ◽  
Henrique Marcondes ◽  
Natalia Cristina Aparecida Ribeiro e Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Brain Development ◽  
Neural Development ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Additional Risk ◽  
Autoimmune Hypothyroidism ◽  
Inflammatory Syndrome ◽  
Nutritional Imbalance ◽  
Synaptic Pruning

COVID-19, a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) betacoronavirus, affects children in a different way than it does in adults, with milder symptoms. However, several cases of neurological symptoms with neuroinflammatory syndromes, such as the multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), following mild cases, have been reported. As with other viral infections, such as rubella, influenza, and cytomegalovirus, SARS-CoV-2 induces a surge of proinflammatory cytokines that affect microglial function, which can be harmful to brain development. Along with the viral induction of neuroinflammation, other noninfectious conditions may interact to produce additional inflammation, such as the nutritional imbalance of fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids and alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Additionally, transient thyrotoxicosis induced by SARS-CoV-2 with secondary autoimmune hypothyroidism has been reported, which could go undetected during pregnancy. Together, those factors may pose additional risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection impacting mechanisms of neural development such as synaptic pruning and neural circuitry formation. The present review discusses those conditions in the perspective of the understanding of risk factors that should be considered and the possible emergence of neurodevelopmental disorders in COVID-19-infected children.

scholarly journals Prenatal Nutritional Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Preterm Birth

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Karen Patricia Best ◽  
Judith Gomersall ◽  
Maria Makrides
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cochrane Review ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Nutritional Interventions ◽  
Dietary Nutrients ◽  
Preterm Babies ◽  
Nutritional Strategies

Worldwide, around 15 million preterm babies are born annually, and despite intensive research, the specific mechanisms triggering preterm birth (PTB) remain unclear. Cost-effective primary prevention strategies to reduce PTB are required, and nutritional interventions offer a promising alternative. Nutrients contribute to a variety of mechanisms that are potentially important to preterm delivery, such as infection, inflammation, oxidative stress, and muscle contractility. Several observational studies have explored the association between dietary nutrients and/or dietary patterns and PTB, often with contrasting results. Randomized trial evidence on the effects of supplementation with zinc, multiple micronutrients (iron and folic acid), and vitamin D is promising; however, results are inconsistent, and many studies are not adequately powered for outcomes of PTB. Large-scale clinical trials with PTB as the primary outcome are needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn for these nutrients. The strongest evidence to date for a nutritional solution exists for omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), key nutrients in fish. In 2018, a Cochrane Review (including 70 studies) showed that prenatal supplementation with omega-3 LCPUFAs reduced the risk of PTB and early PTB (EPTB) compared with no omega-3 supplementation. However, the largest trial of omega-3 supplementation in pregnancy, the Omega-3 to Reduce the Incidence of Prematurity (ORIP) trial (<i>n</i> = 5,544), showed no reduction in EPTB and a reduction in PTB only in a prespecified analysis of singleton pregnancies. Exploratory analyses from the ORIP trial found that women with low baseline total omega-3 status were at higher risk of EPTB, and that this risk was substantially reduced with omega-3 supplementation. In contrast, women with replete or high baseline total omega-3 status were already at low risk of EPTB and additional omega-3 supplementation increased the risk of EPTB compared to control. These findings suggest that determining an individual woman’s PUFA status may be the most precise way to inform recommendations to reduce her risk of PTB.

Jumping on the Omega-3 Bandwagon: Distinguishing the Role of Long-Chain and Short-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 795-803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni M. Turchini ◽  
Peter D. Nichols ◽  
Colin Barrow ◽  
Andrew J. Sinclair
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Short Chain ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Long Chain

Immunometabolic role of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in obesity-induced inflammation

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 431-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Flock ◽  
Connie J. Rogers ◽  
K. Sandeep Prabhu ◽  
Penny M. Kris-Etherton
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Long Chain

scholarly journals Effects of omega-3 supplementation on interleukin and neurotrophin levels in an animal model of schizophrenia

2015 ◽  
Vol 87 (2 suppl) ◽  
pp. 1475-1486 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALEXANDRA I. ZUGNO ◽  
LARA CANEVER ◽  
GUSTAVO MASTELLA ◽  
ALEXANDRA S. HEYLMANN ◽  
MARIANA B. OLIVEIRA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Animal Model ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Concomitant Treatment ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Preventive Effect

ABSTRACTNew studies suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3, may reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia. The present study evaluated the preventive effect of omega-3 on interleukines (IL) and neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the brains of young rats subjected to a model of schizophrenia. Treatment was performed over 21 days, starting on the 30th day of rat's life. After 14 days of treatment with omega-3 or vehicle, a concomitant treatment with saline or ketamine (25 mg/kg) was started and maintained until the last day of the experiment. BDNF levels in the rat's prefrontal cortex were decreased at 1 h and 24 h after the last administration of ketamine, whereas the group administered with ketamine and omega-3 showed a decrease in BDNF levels only after 24 h. In contrast, both interventions induced similar responses in levels of IL-1β and IL6. These findings suggest that the similarity of IL-1β and IL6 levels in our experimental groups is due to the mechanism of action of ketamine on the immune system. More studies have to be carried out to explain this pathology. In conclusion, according to previous studies and considering the current study, we could suggest a prophylactic role of omega-3 against the outcome of symptoms associated with schizophrenia.

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