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To the Editor: Oh et al. ([1][1]) investigated the possible inverse association between consumption of fish/ n -3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs, marine omega-3 fatty acids mainly consisting of icosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) and the risk of colorectal cancer in the Nurses'

We read with considerable interest the recent contribution by Calo et al. ([1][1]) about the reduced incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) after administration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Even though the

Background: Serum markers of inflammation are candidate biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS). ω-3 fatty acids are suggested to have anti-inflammatory properties that might be beneficial in MS. We aimed to explore the relationship between serum levels of inflammation markers and MRI activity in patients with relapsing remitting MS, as well as the effect of ω-3 fatty acids on these markers. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study in 85 relapsing remitting MS patients who participated in a randomized clinical trial of ω-3 fatty acids versus placebo (the OFAMS study). During a period of 24 months 12 repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and nine serum samples were obtained. We measured 10 inflammation markers, including general down-stream markers of inflammation, specific markers of up-stream inflammatory pathways, endothelial action, and matrix regulation. Results: After Bonferroni correction, increasing serum levels of CXCL16 and osteoprotegerin were associated with low odds ratio for simultaneous MRI activity, whereas a positive association was observed for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9. CXCL16 were also associated with low MRI activity the next month, but this was not significant after Bonferroni correction. In agreement with previously reported MRI and clinical results, ω-3 fatty acid treatment did not induce any change in the inflammation markers. Conclusions: Serum levels of CXCL16, MMP-9, and osteoprotegerin reflect disease activity in MS, but are not affected by ω-3 fatty acid treatment. CXCL16 could be a novel biomarker and potential predictor of disease activity in MS. © 2013 Holmøy et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

In their recent study, Macchia et al. [(1)][1] concluded that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids did not significantly decrease the rates of recurrent atrial fibrillation. However, there is an uncertainty in interpreting the results of this study. First, it is well-known that there is a different

Introducción: La lipemia posprandial es un factor de riesgo coronario. Existe evidencia que los ácidos omega 3 disminuyen los lípidos plasmáticos. La Plukenetia volubilis Linneo, ‘sacha inchi’, es rica en omega 3. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto de la ingesta de sacha inchi sobre la trigliceridemia posprandial, en adultos jóvenes. Diseño: Estudio cuasi-experimental. Lugar: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo. Participantes: Estudiantes de medicina. Intervenciones: A doce estudiantes de medicina seleccionados al azar se les aplicó la prueba de tolerancia a triglicéridos, en dos fases: en la primera, después de la ingesta de 82 gramos de aceite de oliva y, en la segunda, adicionando 50 gramos de sacha inchi. Principales medidas de resultados: Efecto reductor de los lípidos plasmáticos. Resultados: En la primera fase, los triglicéridos basales fueron 99,67 mg/dL en promedio y luego se incrementaron en promedio 32 a la 1½ h, 74 a las 3 h, 89 a las 4½ h y 54 a las 6 h. En la segunda fase, el promedio basal fue 100,92 mg/dL, incrementándose 15 a la 1½ h, 52 a las 3 h, 40 a las 4½ h y 43 a las 6 h, en promedio, siendo significativa la reducción a la 1½ h (p=0,0232) y a las 4½ h (p=0,0496). Al graficar la prueba de tolerancia a triglicéridos, se evidenció significancia estadística al comparar el área bajo la curva de ambas fases (p=0,0080). Conclusiones: El consumo de la Plukenetia volubilis Linneo disminuye la trigliceridemia posprandial en adultos jóvenes. Introduction: Postprandial lipemia is a coronary risk factor and is affected by omega-3 fatty acids. There is evidence that omega-3 acids decrease plasma lipids. Plukenetia volubilis Linne (sacha inchi) is rich in omega-3. Objective: To determine the effect of sacha inchi ingestion on postprandial triglycerides in young adults. Design: Quasi-experimental study. Setting: Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo. Participants: Medical students. Interventions: To 12 randomly selected Universidad Nacional de Trujillo medical students we performed oral glucose tolerance test in two phases: in the first following the ingestion of 82 grams of olive oil and in the second adding 50 grams of sacha inchi. Main outcome measures: Plasma lipids reduction. Results: In the first phase we obtained an average of 99,67 mg/dL basal triglycerides that following the ingestion of the olive oil increased in 32 at 1½ h, 74 at 3 h, 89 at 4½ h and 54 at 6 h average; in the second phase, average basal value was 100,92 mg/dL and after the olive oil and sacha inchi it increased in 15 at 1½ h, 52 at 3 h, 41 at 4½ h, and 43 at 6 h, these values were significantly lower at 1½ h (p=0,02) and 4½ h (p=0,0035). Following the consumption of sacha inchi the triglyceride tolerance test graphic showed statistical significance in the area under the curve in both phases (38,17%; p=0,0080). Conclusions: Plukenetia volubilis Linneo consumption decreases postprandial triglycerides in young adults.

Despite data favouring a role of dietary fat in colonic carcinogenesis, no study has focused on tissue n3 and n6 fatty acid (FA) status in human colon adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Thus, FA profile was measured in plasma phospholipids of patients with colorectal cancer (n = 22), sporadic adenoma (n = 27), and normal colon (n = 12) (control group). Additionally, mucosal FAs were assessed in both diseased and normal mucosa of cancer (n = 15) and adenoma (n = 21) patients, and from normal mucosa of controls (n = 8). There were no differences in FA profile of both plasma phospholipids and normal mucosa, between adenoma and control patients. There were considerable differences, however, in FAs between diseased and paired normal mucosa of adenoma patients, with increases of linoleic (p = 0.02), dihomogammalinolenic (p = 0.014), and eicosapentaenoic (p = 0.012) acids, and decreases of alpha linolenic (p = 0.001) and arachidonic (p = 0.02) acids in diseased mucosa. A stepwise reduction of eicosapentaenoic acid concentrations in diseased mucosa from benign adenoma to the most advanced colon cancer was seen (p = 0.009). Cancer patients showed lower alpha linolenate (p = 0.002) and higher dihomogammalinolenate (p = 0.003) in diseased than in paired normal mucosa. In conclusion changes in tissue n3 and n6 FA status might participate in the early phases of the human colorectal carcinogenesis.

Oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein is influenced by dietary polyunsaturates. Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids enhance the susceptibility of low density lipoprotein to oxidation compared with monoenes. Most studies on omega-3 fatty acids also exhibit increased peroxidation of low density lipoprotein, although these data are more conflicting. Future studies should focus on additional information concerning dietary intake of antioxidants, fatty acids and lipid peroxides, as well as on the importance of low density lipoprotein oxidation in vivo.

Commentary on Kwak SM, Myung SK, Lee YJ, et al.; for the Korean Meta-analysis Study Group. Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplements (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis of randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Arch Intern Med 2012;172:686–94.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have yielded conflicting results regarding the efficacy of ω-3 fatty acids for preventing cardiovascular events or reducing mortality.1 A meta-analysis of randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials now adds to the literature. Medline and bibliographies of publications were searched with pertinent keywords, and publications were selected, if trial participants were >18 years of age, had a history of coronary artery disease, used omega-3 fatty acid supplements for >1 year; and if the study design was randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and the trial reported major adverse events … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DArchives%2Bof%2BInternal%2BMedicine%26rft.stitle%253DArch%2BIntern%2BMed%26rft.issn%253D0003-9926%26rft.volume%253D172%26rft.issue%253D9%26rft.spage%253D686%26rft.epage%253D694%26rft.atitle%253DEfficacy%2Bof%2Bomega-3%2Bfatty%2Bacid%2Bsupplements%2B%2528eicosapentaenoic%2Bacid%2Band%2Bdocosahexaenoic%2Bacid%2529%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bsecondary%2Bprevention%2Bof%2Bcardiovascular%2Bdisease%253A%2Ba%2Bmeta-analysis%2Bof%2Brandomized%252C%2Bdouble-blind%252C%2Bplacebo-controlled%2Btrials.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Farchinternmed.2012.262%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F22493407%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/archinternmed.2012.262&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=22493407&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F18%2F4%2Fe33.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000304007800002&link_type=ISI

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids found in certain foods. The term “omega-3” refers to their chemical structure. Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be made in the body and must be obtained from food; thus, they are essential fatty acids. There are many forms of omega-3 fatty acids

Editor—In their review of omega 3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease Din et al ignored the plant derived omega 3 fatty acids beyond the initial definitions.1 In figure 3 they say that the omega 3 fatty acids from fish oils are metabolites of α linolenic acid (the plant derived source of omega 3 fatty acids). However, they did not say whether α linolenic acid is as effective as oily fish in the beneficial effects described. Is this because no trials exist or trials show less effect? Din et al comment on concerns about depleting fish stocks and environmental contamination of certain fish. Would suggesting a trial of α linolenic acid supplements or a diet rich in the plant sources of this oil be an option for future research as well as their proposed trial of fish oil supplements?

Exploring the capabilities of instrumental techniques for discriminating n-3 rich oils derived from animals is a very important though much neglected area that was emphasized more than 100 years ago. In this study the potential of gas chromatography (GC) for discriminating full fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles from fish (cod liver and salmon) and marine mammal (seal and whale) oils is evaluated by means of principal component analysis (PCA). The FAME profiles from plant oils such as rapeseed, linseed and soy oils and seven different brands of n-3 supplements are also used in the discrimination process. The results from the PCA plots can reliably distinguish between plant, n-3 supplements, fish and marine mammal oils. By removing the contribution of the n-3 supplements and plant oils it is possible to discriminate between types of fish and marine animal oils. GC offers a rapid, simple and convenient means of discriminating oils from different species, brands and grades. European Commission; Norwegian Research Council [NRF 173534/I30] info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with multiple double bonds. Linolenic and alpha-linolenic acids are omega-6 and omega-3 PUFAs, precursors for the synthesis of long-chain PUFAs (LC-PUFAs), such as arachidonic acid (omega-6 PUFA), and eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (omega-3 PUFAs). The three most important omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, which cannot be synthesized in enough amounts by the body, and therefore they must be supplied by the diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the correct functioning of the organism and participate in many physiological processes in the brain. Epilepsy is a common and heterogeneous chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures leading to neuropsychiatric disabilities. The prevalence of epilepsy is high achieving about 1% of the general population. There is evidence suggesting that omega-3 fatty acids may have neuroprotective and anticonvulsant effects and, accordingly, may have a potential use in the treatment of epilepsy. In the present review, the potential use of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of epilepsy, and the possible proposed mechanisms of action are discussed. The present article summarizes the recent knowledge of the potential protective role of dietary omega-3 fatty acids in epilepsy.

Introduccion: el patron de acidos grasos (AG) de las emulsiones lipidicas (EL) utilizadas en nutricion parenteral (NP) condiciona diferentes respuestas fisiologicas. Objetivos: estudiar si los criterios clinicos de prescripcion de EL en NP establecidos en nuestro protocolo abierto y basados en recomendaciones se correlacionan con marcadores bioquimicos y hematologicos iniciales. Metodos: estudio observacional retrospectivo de cuatro anos. Se recogieron variables demograficas, clinicas, nutricionales y analiticas al inicio de la NP. Se realizo un analisis uni y multivariante para estudiar la asociacion entre los valores iniciales de los parametros bioquimicos y hematologicos (PBHE) y el tipo de emulsion lipidica empleada. Resultados: de los 1.558 pacientes, 460 pacientes (29,5%) tenian PBHE al inicio de la NP y utilizaron mayoritariamente las combinaciones soja (AS) + trigliceridos de cadena media (MCT) + oliva (AO) + pescado (AP) (37,4%) y AS+MCT+AO (35,6%). Se encontraron diferencias estadisticamente signifiativas en el patron EL utilizado entre los pacientes con y sin PBHE: patron de AG con AP 44,8% vs.39,5%, respectivamente. Las situaciones clinicas con proteina C-reactiva (PCR) elevada se asociaron con mayor uso de EL con AP: AS+AO+AP (OR: 4,52 [IC 95%: 1,43-13,91] y AS+MCT+AO+AP (OR: 3,34 [IC 95%: 2,10-5,33]). En situaciones clinicas complejas asociadas con paciente critico se utilizo EL con MCT: afectacion hepatica (AS+MCT OR: 2,42 [IC 95%: 1,03-5,68]) y afectacion renal (AS+MCT+AP OR: 3,34 [IC 95%: 1,12-9,99]). Conclusiones: la inclusion protocolizada de PBHE al inicio de la NP permite complementar criterios clinicos y metabolicos en la eleccion de la EL.

Marine ecosystems are responsible for virtually all production of omega-3 (ω3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which are essential nutrients for vertebrates. Current consensus is that marine microbes account for this production, given their possession of key enzymes including methyl-end (or “ωx”) desaturases. ωx desaturases have also been described in a small number of invertebrate animals, but their precise distribution has not been systematically explored. This study identifies 121 ωx desaturase sequences from 80 species within the Cnidaria, Rotifera, Mollusca, Annelida, and Arthropoda. Horizontal gene transfer has contributed to this hitherto unknown widespread distribution. Functional characterization of animal ωx desaturases provides evidence that multiple invertebrates have the ability to produce ω3 PUFA de novo and further biosynthesize ω3 long-chain PUFA. This finding represents a fundamental revision in our understanding of ω3 long-chain PUFA production in global food webs, by revealing that numerous widespread and abundant invertebrates have the endogenous capacity to make significant contributions beyond that coming from marine microbes., This work received funding from the MASTS pooling initiative (The Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland) funded by the Scottish Funding Council (grant reference HR09011), and their support is gratefully acknowledged. Access to the Institute of Aquaculture laboratories was funded by the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no. 262336 (AQUAEXCEL), Transnational Access Project Number 0095/06/03/13