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Relationship between medical food type consumption and plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid status of females of childbearing age with phenylketonuria
Author(s) -
Leatham Yi Sarah H.,
Moser Ann B.,
Singh Rani H.
Publication year - 2007
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.21.5.a706-a
Subject(s) - polyunsaturated fatty acid , docosahexaenoic acid , linoleic acid , arachidonic acid , eicosapentaenoic acid , food science , fatty acid , chemistry , medicine , endocrinology , biochemistry , enzyme
The diet for phenylketonuria (PKU) treatment is limited in natural sources of essential (EFAs) and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPFAs) which are important in neural and visual development. Supplementation with protein substitutes (medical foods), especially those limited in fat, may not provide adequate EFAs and LCPFAs. Little research has focused on the EFA and LCPFA status of females of childbearing age with PKU consuming medical foods with and without fat. This exploratory study investigated EFA and LCPFA status of 18 females in the US ages 12–49 years with PKU attending a summer camp consuming different medical food types. Plasma total lipid fatty acid profiles were assessed using capillary gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy of pentafluorobenzyl bromide fatty acid esters. The analysis demonstrated significant reductions in % plasma eicosapentaenoic (EPA) (0.28±0.14%) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (0.90±0.19%) concentrations compared to age‐matched laboratory controls (p<0.0001). The majority of participants had normal or above normal % plasma concentrations of linoleic, alpha‐linolenic, and arachidonic acids. Concentrations in the five plasma fatty acid concentrations did not differ between those taking medical food with fat (n=8), without fat (n=8), and not taking medical food (n=2). As seen previously, plasma EPA and DHA concentrations were decreased. Medical food consumption and EPA and DHA concentrations in females of childbearing age with PKU will be further investigated with a larger sample size.