Premium
Low dietary n‐6/n‐3 fatty acid ratio reduce cardiovascular risks in mice regardless of the origin of n‐3 fatty acids
Author(s) -
Riediger Natalie Diane,
Ree Melissa,
Cadieux Aimee,
Suh Miyoung,
Moghadasian Mohammed
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.21.6.a1090
Subject(s) - triglyceride , fish oil , fatty acid , chemistry , cholesterol , medicine , endocrinology , food science , fish <actinopterygii> , biochemistry , biology , fishery
Background: Health benefits from a low n‐6/n‐3 fatty acid (FA) ratio have been shown. However, the impact of the source of n‐3 FAs has not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate cardiovascular benefits of diets with a low ratio of n‐6/n‐3 FAs from different sources of n‐3 FAs in C57BL/6 mice. Methods: Twenty‐one C57BL6 mice were divided into 3 groups (n=7) and fed for 16 weeks an atherogenic diet supplemented with either a fish or flaxseed oil‐based ‘designer’ oil with a n‐6/n‐3 FA ratio of 2:1. The control group was fed a safflower oil‐based formulation with a 16:1 ratio of n‐6/n‐3 FAs. Food intake and body weight was recorded. Blood lipids were measured at baseline and every 4 week period. FA profile of the liver and heart were analyzed as well as plasma inflammatory proteins. Results: Both fish and flaxseed oil treated groups had significantly higher food intakes than the control group; however mean body weights did not differ between groups. Compared to controls, plasma triglyceride, cholesterol, IL‐2, IL‐4 and TNF‐α levels as well as the ratio of n‐6/n‐3 FAs of liver phospholipids declined significantly in both treated groups. Conclusion: Our data indicate that lowering dietary ratio of n‐6/n‐3 FAs may significantly reduce cardiovascular risks regardless of the source of n‐3 FAs. Acknowledgements: Supported by NSERC, CIHR, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.