Formula alpha-linolenic (18:3(n - 3)) and linoleic (18:2(n - 6)) acid influence neonatal piglet liver and brain saturated fatty acids, as well as docosahexaenoic acid (22:6(n - 3)).
Saturated fatty acids can be synthesized de novo and play a role in determining properties of structural membranes. The effect of dietary essential fatty acids, linoleic acid (18:2(n - 6)) and alpha-linolenic acid (18:3(n - 3)), on the saturated fatty acid content of membrane phospholipid has not previously been considered in newborn nutrition. The studies report the effect of low (1% fatty acids) or high (4%) formula 18:3(n - 3) with low (16%) or high (30-35%) formula 18:2(n - 6) on the saturated and unsaturated fatty acid composition of liver and brain structural lipid of piglets fed formula from birth for 15 days. A significant inverse relationship between the formula % 18:3(n - 3), but not 18:2(n - 6), and the liver phospholipid palmitic acid (16:0) was found. This may indicate a possible effect of dietary 18:3(n - 3) on de novo synthesis of 16:0 and requires further investigation. Monounsaturated fatty acids in both liver and brain were significantly lower in response to high 18:3(n - 3) and to high 18:2(n - 6) plus low 18:1(n - 9) in the formula. Liver phospholipid and brain total lipid % docosahexaenoic acid (22:6(n - 3)) were significantly higher when formula containing 4% rather than 1% 18:3(n - 3) was fed, suggesting that 1% 18:3(n - 3) may limit tissue (n - 3) fatty acid accretion. These results suggest that future studies of essential fatty acid requirements, specifically 18:3(n - 3), should consider possible influences on the saturated fatty acids which also play a functional role in tissue structural lipids.
Department of Human Nutrition, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
L D
LD
Arbuckle
F M
FM
Rioux
M J
MJ
MacKinnon
S M
SM
Innis
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism; D005526:Food, Formulated; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry; D013552:Swine; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid
D005227:Fatty Acids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D010743:Phospholipids; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids