Omega-7 Mixed Fatty Acid Supplementation Fails to Reduce Serum Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Randomized Crossover Trial

We report the effects of mixed omega-7 fatty acid supplementation on changes in serum hsCRP, TNFα, and IL-6 levels and self-reported outcomes in people with non-specific chronic musculoskeletal discomfort. Design: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, 1:1 randomized single crossover trial composed of 688 mg/day palmiteolate for the verum and an equivalent amount of medium-chain triglycerides for the placebo. Method: Data were analyzed in two independent groups and as a crossover group. Results: From 211 screened participants in 2017–2019, 56 were randomized. Six participants dropped out and fifty completers contributed to the statistical analyses. At baseline, none of the investigated biomarkers were significantly correlated to subjectively assessed musculoskeletal discomfort levels. For the two-group analysis (n = 26 and n = 24), none of the serum biomarkers reached statistical significance; however, a statistically significant placebo effect was found in the subjective outcomes. Conclusion: For the crossover analysis (n = 50), three weeks of supplementation with n7FA containing 688 mg per day of palmiteolate did not reduce serum inflammatory biomarkers nor did it improve subjectively measured quality of life (QoL) compared to placebo. Future studies should explore appropriate biomarkers, sufficient power, length of dosing, inclusion criteria for volunteers with higher BMI, and the verification of cis-palmiteolate versus trans-palmiteolate.

Mixed fatty acid-phospholipid protocell networks

Self-assembled membranes composed of both fatty acids and phospholipids are both permeable for solutes and structurally stable, which was likely an advantageous combination for the development of primitive cells on the early Earth. Here we report on the solid surface-assisted formation of primitive mixed-surfactant membrane compartments, i.e. model protocells, from multilamellar lipid reservoirs composed of different ratios of fatty acids and phospholipids. Similar to the previously discovered enhancement of model protocell formation on solid substrates, we achieve spontaneous multi-step self-transformation of mixed surfactant reservoirs into closed surfactant containers, interconnected via nanotube networks. Some of the fatty acid containing compartments in the networks exhibit colony-like growth. We demonstrate that the compartments generated from fatty acid-containing phospholipid membranes feature increased permeability coefficients for molecules in the ambient solution, for fluorescein up to 7*10-6 cm/s and for RNA up to 3.5*10-6 cm/s. Our findings indicate that surface-assisted autonomous protocell formation and development, starting from mixed amphiphiles, is a plausible scenario for the early stages of the emergence of primitive cells.

Mixed fatty acid-phospholipid protocell networks

Self-assembled membranes composed of both fatty acids and phospholipids are permeable for solutes and structurally stable, which was likely an advantageous combination for the development of primitive cells on the...

Preparation of a Gemini Surfactant from Mixed Fatty Acid and its Use in Cosmetics

Among the surfactants, dimeric surfactants represent a niche group with multifunctional properties. In this work a modified gemini surfactant was synthesized using symmetrical fatty acids. Due to the spacers used to combine the two symmetrical monomers, the synthesized gemini surfactant is cationic. The structure of the compound was confirmed with 1H-NMR. The most advantageous property of the gemini surfactant is that it has a lower surface tension, i. e. less than 35 mNm–1 at 25°C, compared to monomeric surfactants. The surface tension was determined with a Kyowa tensiometer. The CMC (critical micelle formation concentration) was calculated according to the pyrene method and detected by UV spectroscopy at 25°C. The very low CMC is another market advantage of the gemini surfactant. Hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of the synthesized compound were checked by the emulsification method. The ability of the synthesized gemini surfactant to wet and foam and the emulsification index at different pH values were tested. Based on the results, the gemini surfactant was used in formulations for hair and skin care. Conditioners and creams were prepared with the synthesized compound and the properties were analyzed at different concentrations of the gemini surfactant in the respective formulation.

Mixed Oleic Acid-Erucic Acid Liposomes as a Carrier for Anticancer Drugs

Background: Liposomes are mostly known to be prepared from phospholipids and lipids and have a remarkable capacity to encapsulate both lipophobic and lipophilic molecules. However, there is little research on developing fatty acid liposomes for chemotherapy. Objective: We have successfully prepared mixed fatty acid liposomes from two monounsaturated fatty acids, namely oleic acid and erucic acid, which stabilised by DOPEPEG2000. The Critical Vesicular Concentration (CVC) of liposomes was found to be within 0.09 to 0.21 mmol dm-3, with an average particle size of 400 nm. Methods: Encapsulation of various anticancer drugs such as folinic acid, methotrexate, doxorubicin, or irinotecan resulted in Encapsulation Efficiency (%EE) of up to 90%. Using a 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2- yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the median Inhibitory Concentration (IC50) values of mixed oleic acid-erucic acid encapsulating hydrophilic drugs was remarkably reduced at the end of 24 hours of incubation with the human lung carcinoma cell line A549. Results: The results suggest that mixed oleic acid-erucic acid liposomes are a potential new approach to further develop as an alternative vehicle of various drugs for cancer treatment.

Semipermeable Mixed Phospholipid-Fatty Acid Membranes Exhibit K+/Na+ Selectivity in the Absence of Proteins

Two important ions, K+ and Na+, are unequally distributed across the contemporary phospholipid-based cell membrane because modern cells evolved a series of sophisticated protein channels and pumps to maintain ion gradients. The earliest life-like entities or protocells did not possess either ion-tight membranes or ion pumps, which would result in the equilibration of the intra-protocellular K+/Na+ ratio with that in the external environment. Here, we show that the most primitive protocell membranes composed of fatty acids, that were initially leaky, would eventually become less ion permeable as their membranes evolved towards having increasing phospholipid contents. Furthermore, these mixed fatty acid-phospholipid membranes selectively retain K+ but allow the passage of Na+ out of the cell. The K+/Na+ selectivity of these mixed fatty acid-phospholipid semipermeable membranes suggests that protocells at intermediate stages of evolution could have acquired electrochemical K+/Na+ ion gradients in the absence of any macromolecular transport machinery or pumps, thus potentially facilitating rudimentary protometabolism.

Physicochemical Properties Study and GC/MS Analysis of Monomer Acid

Monomer acid was the byproduct of preparing dimer acid from oleic acid in industry. Study its components and properties will contribute to the exploitation and application of it. First, we researched the physicochemical properties of monomer acid, such as iodine value, acid value, saponification value, and so on. The conclusion showed that the sample was a mixed fatty acid which contained longer chain of carbon and had high quality. Then, the chemical constituents of fatty acid in monomer acid were determined by GC/MS. After the sample was etherified via methanol, the chemical components and their relative contents of fatty acid from monomer acid were analyzed by GC/MS. Fifteen fatty acids predominated: myristic acid (12.16%), palmitic acid (8.51%), stearic acid (32.72%), and oleic acid (25.53%).