title: Absorption of the n-3 eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids as ethyl esters and triglycerides by humans.
abstract: Five normolipemic subjects received three test meals containing 28 g n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids provided as 1) triglycerides, 2) ethyl esters, and 3) ethyl esters + 12 g olive oil. The control meal contained olive oil. When equivalent amounts of fat were given, the increase in chylomicron and plasma triglycerides was similar; n-3 fatty acid contents were also similar after n-3 fatty acid intake as ethyl esters or triglycerides. Ethyl esters alone were well absorbed and produced similar n-3 fatty acid responses in plasma triglycerides and chylomicrons. At 24 h after the n-3 fatty acid-containing meals, the fatty acid plasma concentration of these acids was similar. This study showed that n-3 fatty acids in fish oil given as ethyl esters or triglycerides were equally well absorbed. Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were also equally absorbed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nordøy
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barstad
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Connor
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hatcher
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000328:Adult; D002914:Chylomicrons / Q000097:blood; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004952:Esters; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D002914:Chylomicrons; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004952:Esters; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D014280:Triglycerides; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid