Total polyunsaturated fatty acid intake and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Chinese Han adults: a secondary analysis based on a case–control study

Background Previous studies have revealed obesity, nutrition, lifestyle, genetic and epigenetic factors may be risk factors for the occurrence and development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the effect of total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) consumption on the risk of NAFLD is uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether the total PUFA intake is independently associated with the risk of NAFLD and explore the threshold of PUFA intake better illustrate the correlation between them in Chinese Han adults. Methods The present study was a retrospective case–control study. A total of 534 NAFLD patients and 534 controls matched by gender and age in the same center were included in this study. Using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire in a health examination center in China to collect information about dietary intake and calculate nutrient consumption. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between total PUFA daily intake and its quartile and the incidence of NAFLD. Results Multivariate analyses suggested a significant association between total PUFA intake and the occurrence of NAFLD. A non-linear relationship between total PUFA consumption and NAFLD risk was detected after adjusting for potential confounding factors. There was a significant connection between PUFA and the risk of NAFLD (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.23–1.41, P < 0.0001) when PUFA intake is between 18.8 and 29.3 g/day. Conclusions The relationship between total PUFA intake and NAFLD is non-linear. Total PUFA was positively related to the risk of NAFLD when PUFA intake is between 18.8 and 29.3 g/day among Chinese Han adults.

Dietary silage supplement modifies fatty acid composition and boar taint in pork fat

In organic pig husbandry, the use of roughage is mandatory as dietary supplement. This study investigated the effects of oat silage on the fatty acid composition, in entire males and gilts, as well as indole and skatole levels in perirenal adipose tissue of entire males. Entire males and gilts (forty-five to forty-eight pigs/sex) were assigned to two dietary roughage feeds (control with straw vs. oat silage). There was no significant effect of silage or sex on total SFA and MUFA in pork fat. However, the oat silage increased the total PUFA n-3 and decreased the PUFA n-6/n-3 ratio. The content of boar taint compounds (skatole and indole) in the entire male pigs did not differ between diets, although human nose scoring rejected in a greater extent more pork fat from entire males supplemented with oat silage, compared with those only supplied with straw. Approximately 50% of the entire males (90 to 97 kg of carcass) had low skatole values (≤0.1 μg/g), that were below the range of boar taint detection, regardless of the feeding regime. This finding indicates that more studies should be performed to avoid the problem of taint detection in entire males under organic production.

Evaluating the Lipid Quality of Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) Harvested from Different Oceans by Their Fatty Acid Signatures

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the fishing location on yellowfin tuna’s (YFT; Thunnus albacares) white muscle total lipid (TL) content and fatty acid profile. The comparison included 45 YFT loins, equally divided between the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. The ocean had no significant influence on YFT TL content, total PUFA and total n-3 PUFA (p > 0.05), averaging 1.09 g/100 g of muscle, 229.2 and 192.8 mg/100 g of muscle, respectively. On the other hand, the YFT harvested on the Indian Ocean displayed significantly higher contents of both SFA and MUFA totals than the Atlantic Ocean counterparts (p < 0.05), while the YFT harvested in the Pacific Ocean presented intermediate values, not differing significantly from the other two origins. The YFT from the Indian and Pacific oceans held twice the n-6 PUFA content recorded in the Atlantic YFT (44.1 versus 21.1 mg/100 g of muscle). Considering the recommended daily intake of EPA plus DHA is 250 mg, the consumption of 100 g of YFT from the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans would provide 149.2 mg, 191.8 mg or 229.6 mg of EPA plus DHA, representing 59.7%, 76.7% or 91.8% of the recommended daily intake, respectively.

Omega-3 fatty acid composition of chicken plasma fed diets varying in LA to ALA ratio

The impact of dietary supplementation of a vegetable source of n-3 fat in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) on the accumulation of n-3 fatty acids in plasma chicken was investigated. Sixty unsexed one-day-old broiler chickens were randomly allocated to six diets (n=10 birds/diet) for 4 weeks. The birds were fed a proprietary starter commercial feed for the first two days after hatch. Six dietary treatments ranging in fat content from 5 to 10% were prepared by supplementing the basal diet with vegetable oils. The ALA levels varied from 1 to 8% energy (%en). The n-6 fatty acid linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) level was limited to less than 5%en. Results showed that the metabolites of dietary ALA, EPA, DPA, and DHA in plasma tissues increased in a curvilinear manner as dietary ALA increased, achieving 3- to 13-fold compared to the levels in the control birds (P<0.001). The total PUFA content of plasma samples increased (P<0.001) due to increasing the diets’ ALA content, achieving 41.20% of the total fatty acids when the LA to ALA ratio of diets was at the lowest level. The increase in total PUFA was mainly due to an increase in total n-3 PUFA.

Effect of supplementing flaxseed oil on growth and carcass traits of Friesian bulls

This study aimed to evaluate effects of supplementing flaxseed oil (FSO) on growth and carcass traits, as well as meat chemical composition, quality, and fatty acids (FA) profile in Friesian bulls. The bulls (n = 30) were randomly divided into 3 groups (G1-G3, n = 10/group). In G1 (control), animals fed basal diet, while in G2 and G3, they were supplemented with 2% and 4% FSO, respectively, for ~ 7 months. The obtained results revealed that bulls fed diet supplemented with 2% (G2) and 4% (G3) FSO had significantly higher TDN intake (P ˂ 0.01) and average daily gain (P ˂ 0.05) than G1. Additionally, G3 showed significantly higher hot carcass weight (P<0.001), dressing % (P<0.05), fat weight (P<0.05), boneless meat weight (P<0.001), 9-11th ribs cut weights (P<0.05), DM (P<0.01), CP (P<0.05), and CF (P<0.05) in eye muscle, and general cooked meat quality (P<0.05) than G1. However, meat of G3 had significantly (P<0.05) lower water-holding capacity than G1. Meat contents of C20:0 and C22:0 SFAs were significantly higher in G3 (P<0.05) than G1, while C14:0, C15:0, and C17:0 were significantly (P<0.05) lower in G3 and G2 than G1. C16:1 trans-9 MUFA was significantly higher in G3 (P<0.01) and G2 (P<0.05) than G1, while C18:1 cis-9 +trans-13-14 and C20:1 cis-11 were significantly lower in G3 (P<0.001) and G2 (P<0.05) than G1. Among the 2 treated groups, only G3 had significantly higher C17:1 cis-9 (P<0.05), C18:1 cis-11+trans15 (P<0.01), and C18:1 cis-15+trans-16 (P<0.01) and significantly lower C16:1 cis-7 (P<0.05) and C18:1 trans-12 (P<0.01) than G1. Meat contents of C18:3 n-3 (ALA), C22:5 n-3 (EPA) and C22:6 n-3 (DHA) was significantly higher in G3 (P<0.0001) and G2 (P<0.05) than G1. The total n-3 FAs content in meat was significantly (P<0.0001) higher in G3 and G2 than G1, while only G3 showed significantly higher total PUFA (P<0.05) than G1. The n-6:n-3 ratio was significantly (P<0.0001) lower in G3 and G2 than G1. With these results, we could conclude that flaxseed oil supplementation in bull diets could improve growth performance, and carcass quality and increase omega-3 FA in animal meat.

Associations of circulating polyunsaturated fatty acids with coronary artery calcium score in hospitalized patients with suspected coronary artery disease

Background Inadequate intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is recognized as a modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) (1,2). The n-6 PUFA linoleic acid (LA) constitutes the predominant portion of total dietary PUFAs (3). However, whereas cardiometabolic effects of PUFAs belonging to the n-3 series have been studied for decades, less attention has been payed to potential health effects from n-6 PUFAs (4). Further, there has been concern regarding possible proinflammatory properties of several n-6 PUFA related metabolites. Purpose We explored correlations of serum total PUFAs, LA and the n-3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with the inflammation marker GlycA. Further, we evaluated associations of total PUFAs, LA and DHA with the extension of atherosclerosis, as determined by the Agatston coronary artery calcium (CAC) score (5). Methods The study includes 250 patients who were hospitalized due to acute chest pain and referred to coronary CT angiography (CCTA) during in hospital stay. Exclusion criteria included diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction and/or revascularization within 24 hours after admittance. Serum levels of total PUFAs, LA, DHA and GlycA were analyzed by NMR technology in samples that had been frozen and stored at −80°C. After logarithmic transformation, relations of total PUFA, LA, and DHA with GlycA were evaluated by Pearson correlation analyses. The associations with CAC score were visualized in generalized additive regression plots and further evaluated in linear regression models including age, gender, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension and smoking status as independent covariables. Results Mean (SD) age was 57.6 (12.0) years, and 91 (36.4%) of the patients were women. Median (25th-75th percentiles) serum levels (in mmol/L) were for total PUFA 6.36 (5.76–7.06), LA 5.00 (4.51–5.55), DHA 0.36 (0.31–0.43) and GlycA 1.04 (0.94–1.13). Interestingly, GlycA was strongly, positively correlated with total PUFA (r=0.54). LA (r=0.53) and DHA (r=0.27), all P&lt;0.001. In contrast, total PUFA and LA were inversely associated with CAC score both providing standardized betas of −0.17, P=0.03 after multivariable adjustments. No significant associations were found between CAC score and DHA or GlycA (P≥0.22). Further, the addition of GlycA to the multivariable model did not materially affect the relationship between CAC score and total PUFA or LA, which remained statistically significant (P=0.04). Conclusion In patients undergoing CCTA due to acute chest pain, serum levels of total PUFA and LA were strongly positively correlated with the pro-inflammatory marker GlycA. Still, total PUFA and LA were both inversely associated with the CAC score and the associations remained statistically significant after adjustments for CVD risk factors and GlycA levels. Future studies should further address the diverse effects of n-6 PUFAs on inflammatory pathways, atherogenesis and coronary calcification. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Western Norway Regional Health Authority

Meat Quality of Nellore Young Bulls—Effects of Different Days on Feed and Zilpaterol Hydrochloride Supplementation

Ninety-six Nellore young bulls were fed (90 or 117 day) diets containing ZH (8.33 mg/kg) for 0, 20, 30, or 40 days to evaluate the effects of days on feed (DOF) and length of zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) supplementation on meat quality. At the end of feeding period, animals were slaughtered, and samples of the Longissimus muscle were collected to evaluate the chemical composition, fatty acid profile, color stability, shear force, and sensory profile. DOF did not affect chemical composition, shear force, sensory tenderness, and most of fatty acids; however, animals fed for 90 d had lower redness (p < 0.01), sustained juiciness (p < 0.01), and more flavor (p = 0.03) than those fed for 117 d. The ZH supplementation decreased lipid content and redness (p < 0.01), initial and sustained tenderness (p < 0.01), initial and sustained juiciness (p < 0.01), but increased protein (p < 0.01) and shear force (p < 0.01) as compared to non-supplemented animals. The ZH supplementation increased total PUFA, c9,c12-18:2, and 20:4-n6, and decreased c9-20:1 (p < 0.05). Feeding ZH impairs meat quality attributes of Nellore young bulls, regardless of duration of supplementation, while DOF has a small effect on meat quality properties.

Fatty Acids as Biomarkers of the Production Season of Caciocavallo Palermitano Cheese

This experiment aims to evaluate the potential of fatty acids (FA) of Caciocavallo Palermitano cheese as biomarkers of production season and pasture-based diet. A total of 48 cheeses were made in the four seasons with milk from two farms that raised cows of Cinisara breed. The animals were fed on pasture with supplementation of wheat bran and wheat straw in the barn, and in summer also with Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes. The chemical composition and FA profile of cheese were influenced by the season and not by the farm. In particular, cheeses produced in spring were characterized by higher protein and lower fat, and showed higher contents in trans-vaccenic acid, α-linolenic acid, rumenic acid, n-3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), and total PUFA. In winter, the lower availability of grazing forage, requiring a higher level of feeding integration, was responsible for an increase of saturated FA (SFA). The multivariate analysis distinguished clearly the cheeses made in winter and spring, while those produced in autumn and summer showed some overlapping points. Further investigations should be carried out to evaluate the effects of type and level of feeding integration on the presence of FA more suitable to be used as biomarkers of period and diet.

Carcass and meat quality of lambs from thin-tailed and fat-tailed breeds at five different slaughter weights

In lamb production, deciding the optimal slaughter weight (SW) has great importance on product quality. Aim of the study was to determine the optimum SW for lambs from a thin-tailed breed (Kivircik) and a fat-tailed breed (Kangal Akkaraman) in order to get high-quality meat and carcass. Kivircik (n=60) and Kangal Akkaraman (n=59) lambs were allotted to five SW groups (20, 28, 36, 44 and 52 kg). In Kivircik lambs, backfat thickness and fatness score gradually increased in parallel with the increase in SW, while the increase in the tail fat and kidney knob and channel fat (KKCF) proportions were observed by up to 36 kg. In Kangal Akkaraman lambs, evident increases in fatness parameters, except tail fat proportion, were observed when the SW increased from 44 kg to 52 kg. Meat pH, Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and cooking loss values were not influenced by SW in lambs of both breeds. As SW increased in Kivircik lambs, there was a significant decrease in meat lightness and an increase in yellowness. In Kangal Akkaraman breed, lambs slaughtered at 20 kg and 28 kg had higher L* values, and lower a* and C* values than those of other SW groups. In Kivircik lambs, the total PUFA proportion and the ΣPUFA/ΣSFA ratio were lower in SW-44 and SW-52 groups than those of SW-20 and SW-28 groups. Decreases of these parameters were in SW-52 group in Kangal Akkaraman lambs. In meat samples of both breeds, SW-52 groups had a lower Σn-3 proportion and a higher Σn-6 / Σn-3 ratio than other SW groups. In Kivircik lambs, the panellists evaluated the meat of SW-20 and SW-28 groups as tender than those in SW-44 and SW-52 groups. In Kangal Akkaraman breed, flavour intensity in the meat of SW-52 lambs was higher than those of SW-20 and SW-28 groups. Results of the study indicate that slaughtering of lambs at 20 kg and 28 kg in both breeds provided better meat quality but caused lower carcass weight. Therefore, slaughtering Kivircik and Kangal Akkaraman lambs at 20 kg and 28 kg live weight might be recommended especially to farmers, who aimed to obtain high-quality lamb meat. In this case, it should not be ignored that the amount of meat produced will be less. On the other hand, slaughtering lambs at about 44 kg weight could be recommended to farmers, who aimed to obtain as much quality lamb carcasses as possible without any negative influence on meat quality.

Can Hydrolysable Tannins in Diet of Entire Male Pigs Affect Carcass, Pork Quality Traits, Amino and Fatty Acid Profiles, and Boar Taint, Skatole and Androstenone Levels?

The slaughtering of entire males increases the probability of incidence of tainted pork due to the presence two main compounds—androstenone and skatole. If a surgical castration of young entire male pigs is stopped in the EU countries, fattening of boars is likely to become one of the most commonly used systems in pig farming. Since skatole production and accumulation in fat tissue can be controlled by dietary approaches, several studies have investigated various feed additives to reduce this compound of boar taint. Ones of the most promising is tannins. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different dietary tannin level supplementation on carcass, pork quality, chemical, amino and fatty acid composition. as well as perception of boar taint and accumulation of skatole and androstenone in adipose tissue. Eighty entire males were randomly distributed to control (T0) and four experimental groups. Control pigs received standard feed mixture (16.8% CP, 13.9 MJ ME) without any tannin supplementation. Experimental pigs received the same diet with administration of 1% (T1), 2% (T2), 3% (T3) and 4% (T4)—sweet chestnut extract rich in hydrolysable tannins for 40 days (from average live weight of 80 kg until slaughter at average weight 122.28 kg ± 5.63 kg). Dietary tannins supplementation did not show any significant effect on chemical composition, cholesterol content, and amino acid composition of muscle as well as fatty acid composition and androstenone accumulation in adipose tissue. A slight or small effect was observed on carcass and meat quality, respectively. Pigs in groups T4 and/or T3-T4 had higher electrical conductivity in semimembranosus muscle and cooking loss value compared to T1, T2 or T0, T1, and T2 groups (p < 0.05). Tannins in the pig’s diet greatly affected fatty acid profile in meat of entire males. The highest tannin levels (4%) increased concentrations of lauric, myristic, vaccenic, linoleic, total PUFA, and n-6 PUFA in muscle compared to the control. Similar results were found in group T3 except for vaccenic, linoleic, and total PUFA. On the contrary, concentrations of heptadecanoic and oleic acids in groups T3 and T4 were lower than those in T1 and T2 groups. Perception of boar taint using „hot iron“ method (insertion a hot iron tip of soldering iron into adipose tissue) tended to decrease in T2 group compared with control. Skatole accumulation in fat tissue was reduced in groups T2-T4 at significance level (p = 0.052–0.055) compared to the control pigs. In summary, tannins supplementation had no effect on chemical and amino acid composition as well as fatty acid profile in adipose tissue, and only slight on carcass value. However, 4% concentration of tannins significantly increased content of some fatty acids compared to control group.