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Stearidonic Acid Increases Red Blood Cell and Cardiac Levels of EPA, but not DHA, in Dogs
Author(s) -
Harris William S.,
Sands Scott A,
Eapen Alex K,
DiRienzo Maureen A
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.5.a1028-a
Subject(s) - eicosapentaenoic acid , sunflower oil , chemistry , fatty acid , polyunsaturated fatty acid , medicine , food science , biochemistry
The omega‐3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are believed to be beneficial to cardiovascular health. Stearidonic acid (SDA; 18:4 ω3) is the delta‐6 desaturase product of α‐linolenic acid (ALA) and may be more readily converted into EPA+DHA than ALA. This study determined the extent and rate of conversion of SDA into EPA and DHA in dogs. We measured the Omega‐3 Index (EPA+DHA) of cardiac muscle and red blood cell (RBC) membranes obtained from dogs fed SDA at low (21 mg), medium (64 mg), or high (193 mg/kg bw) amounts for 12 wks. EPA (43 mg/kg bw) and sunflower oil served positive and negative controls, respectively. Compared to pre‐treatment levels, all three SDA doses elevated the RBC Omega‐3 Index by wk 4 (fold‐increase respectively, 1.4, 2.5, and 3.1; all p<0.02), and these remained elevated through wk 12. In cardiac tissue, only EPA and high SDA increased the Omega‐3 Index at 4 wks (fold‐increase, 6.2 and 4.6, respectively, p<0.001 both), whereas at 12 wks, elevations were seen in the medium and the high SDA, and the EPA groups (fold‐increase, 3, 6.2 and 8.4, respectively, all p<0.03). There was no difference in either tissue between high dose SDA and EPA at 12 weeks. In conclusion, SDA supplementation increased the Omega‐3 Index in RBC and cardiac cells and may serve as an alternate source of omega‐3 fatty acids in humans. Supported by Monsanto Company.