A More Comprehensive Approach to the Neuroprotective Potential of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Preterm Infants Is Needed—Should We Consider Maternal Diet and the n-6:n-3 Fatty Acid Ratio?

The extent of gastric lipolysis, fat absorption, and infant weight gain was studied in 12 preterm infants (gestational age 28.75 ± 0.50 weeks, postnatal age 6.08 ± 0.81 weeks) fed medium-chain triglyceride or long-chain triglyceride formula for 1 week in a crossover design. The former formula contained 42% of 8:0 and 10:0 and 19% of 12:0, 14:0, and 16:0; the latter formula contained only 7% of 8:0 and 10:0 and 46% of 12:0, 14:0, and 16:0. Gastric aspirates were obtained on the second and third day of formula feeding for quantitation of lipase activity and of the extent of gastric lipolysis. Fat balance studies were conducted during the last three days of each feeding regimen. The study showed that (1) there was marked hydrolysis of formula fat in the stomach during feeding of either medium-chain triglyceride formula or long-chain triglyceride formula (20% and 16%, respectively); (2) lipase activity in the gastric aspirates was less during feeding of medium-chain triglyceride formula than before the meal, which suggested stimulation of lipase secretion by long-chain fatty acid released from long-chain triglyceride formula fat or more rapid binding of lipase to ingested lipid in the medium-chain triglyceride formula; (3) fatty acid distribution in glycerides and free fatty acids showed preferential release of medium-chain (8:0, 10:0) and long-chain unsaturated (18:1, 18:2) fatty acids in the stomach. The low content of 8:0 and 10:0 in gastric triglyceride and free fatty acids suggested that medium-chain fatty acids were absorbed directly in the stomach. (4) fat balance studies showed almost identical absorption rates (84.6% ± 3.1% and 82.8% ± 4.0%) and weight gain (23.0 ± 1.5 g/d and 20.8 ± 1.8 g/d) during feeding of either medium-chain triglyceride or long-chain triglyceride formula. In this study, in which each infant was fed either formula alternately, it was shown that although the extent of fat digestion varied among infants, medium-chain and long-chain triglyceride were absorbed to the same extent by most infants.

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Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in liver and muscle tissues of Okinawan long-spine porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus Linnaeus 1758)

Nutrition & Food Science ◽

10.1108/nfs-03-2021-0089 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Yutaka Tashiro

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Ryukyu Islands ◽

Okinawa Island ◽

Content Type ◽

Muscle Tissues ◽

The Ryukyu Islands ◽

Total Fatty Acids ◽

Long Chain

Purpose This study aimed to analyze the lipid content and fatty acid composition in the liver and muscle of a porcupinefish species inhabiting waters around the Ryukyu Islands to investigate their potential as a source of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs). Design/methodology/approach Porcupinefish were collected along the Okinawa Island coast. The composition of fatty acids and cholesterol in both liver and muscle were analyzed using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer. Findings The liver of Okinawan long-spine porcupinefish was rich in lipids whose content correlated to the proportion of liver/body weight. Fatty acid compositions in their liver and muscles were similar to each other. LC-PUFAs occupied 44% of total fatty acids, with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) being the dominant (42%), whereas eicosapentaenoic acid occupied 2.4%. The liver contained 1,690 mg of cholesterol and 14.8 g of DHA per 100 g, whose proportion decreased in summer compared to other seasons (p = 0.036). Originality/value The liver of Okinawan long-spine porcupinefish, which has not yet been commercially used although its non-toxicity is claimed, can be an excellent source of LC-PUFAs, especially DHA, accentuating its potential in food supplements’ production.

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