Conversion of α-linolenic acid to longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in human adults
Conversion of α-linolenic acid to longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in human adults
The principal biological role of α-linolenic acid (αLNA; 18:3n-3) appears to be as a precursor for the synthesis of longer chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Increasing αLNA intake for a period of weeks to months results in an increase in the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) in plasma lipids, in erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and in breast milk but there is no increase in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), which may even decline in some pools at high αLNA intakes. Stable isotope tracer studies indicate that conversion of αLNA to EPA occurs but is limited in men and that further transformation to DHA is very low. The fractional conversion of αLNA to the longer chain n-3 PUFA is greater in women which may be due to a regulatory effect of oestrogen. A lower proportion of αLNA is used for β-oxidation in women compared with men. Overall, αLNA appears to be a limited source of longer chain n-3 PUFA in humans. Thus, adequate intakes of preformed long chain n-3 PUFA, in particular DHA, may be important for maintaining optimal tissue function. Capacity to up-regulate αLNA conversion in women may be important for meeting the demands of the fetus and neonate for DHA.
n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, humans, ?-linolenic acid, metabolism
581-597
Burdge, Graham C.
09d60a07-8ca1-4351-9bf1-de6ffcfb2159
Calder, Philip C.
1797e54f-378e-4dcb-80a4-3e30018f07a6
2005
Burdge, Graham C.
09d60a07-8ca1-4351-9bf1-de6ffcfb2159
Calder, Philip C.
1797e54f-378e-4dcb-80a4-3e30018f07a6
Burdge, Graham C. and Calder, Philip C.
(2005)
Conversion of α-linolenic acid to longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in human adults.
Reproduction, Nutrition, Development, 45 (5), .
(doi:10.1051/rnd:2005047).
Abstract
The principal biological role of α-linolenic acid (αLNA; 18:3n-3) appears to be as a precursor for the synthesis of longer chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Increasing αLNA intake for a period of weeks to months results in an increase in the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) in plasma lipids, in erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and in breast milk but there is no increase in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), which may even decline in some pools at high αLNA intakes. Stable isotope tracer studies indicate that conversion of αLNA to EPA occurs but is limited in men and that further transformation to DHA is very low. The fractional conversion of αLNA to the longer chain n-3 PUFA is greater in women which may be due to a regulatory effect of oestrogen. A lower proportion of αLNA is used for β-oxidation in women compared with men. Overall, αLNA appears to be a limited source of longer chain n-3 PUFA in humans. Thus, adequate intakes of preformed long chain n-3 PUFA, in particular DHA, may be important for maintaining optimal tissue function. Capacity to up-regulate αLNA conversion in women may be important for meeting the demands of the fetus and neonate for DHA.
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Published date: 2005
Keywords:
n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, humans, ?-linolenic acid, metabolism
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Local EPrints ID: 25300
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/25300
ISSN: 0926-5287
PURE UUID: 6bb4d6f9-7761-47ba-901a-d6aca2aff12e
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Date deposited: 07 Apr 2006
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 02:50
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