Administration of low doses of fish oil derived N-3 fatty acids to elderly subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the incorporation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in plasma and erythrocyte lipids of elderly subjects after ingestion of very low doses of fish oil. The effects on alpha-tocopherol and retinol concentrations were also studied.


METHODS
Municipal nursing home in Barcelona, Spain.


METHODS
Forty-five elderly subjects aged 60-92 y.


METHODS
Subjects received a non-commercialized milk formula containing 1% fish oil for 15 months, which provided 0.40 g/d of n-3 PUFA. Fatty acid profiles and antioxidant concentrations were measured before and after the intervention period.


RESULTS
Fish oil ingestion was associated with significant increases in total n-3 PUFA in plasma and erythrocytes by 32% and 18%, respectively. Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid concentrations were higher after the ingestion period both in plasma and erythrocytes (P < 0.05), whereas linoleic and arachidonic acids remained unchanged. The n-6/n-3 ratio decreased by 21% in plasma and by 16% in erythrocytes (P < 0.05). Moreover, younger subjects showed a greater incorporation of EPA and DHA than older subjects. Plasma alpha-tocopherol and retinol concentrations did not vary significantly, whereas erythrocyte alpha-tocopherol was significantly higher after the intervention period.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that low doses of n-3 PUFA supplemented with adequate amounts of alpha-tocopherol can be incorporated into blood lipids in elderly subjects without lowering their antioxidant concentrations.
Rodríguez-Palmero
M
M
University of Barcelona, Department of Human Physiological Sciences and Nutrition, Av. Joan XXIII s/n 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
López-Sabater
M C
MC
Castellote-Bargallo
A I
AI
de la Torre-Boronat
M C
MC
Rivero-Urgell
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E