Lysophosphatidylcholine as a preferred carrier form of docosahexaenoic acid to the brain.
The metabolic fate of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was evaluated from its intake as a nutrient in triglycerides and phosphatidylcholines to its uptake by target tissues, especially the brain. Several approaches were used including the kinetics and tissue distribution of ingested 13C-labeled DHA, the incorporation of radiolabeled DHA injected as its nonesterified form compared to the fatty acid esterified in lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC), and the capacity of the two latter forms to cross a reconstituted blood-brain barrier (BBB) consisting of cocultures of brain-capillary endothelial cells and astrocytes. The results obtained allow us to raise the hypothesis that lysoPC may represent a preferred physiological carrier of DHA to the brain.
Lagarde
M
M
INSERM U352, Biochimie and Pharmacologie INSA-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France. michel.lagarde@insa-lyon.fr
Bernoud
N
N
Brossard
N
N
Lemaitre-Delaunay
D
D
Thiès
F
F
Croset
M
M
Lecerf
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005395:Fish Oils; D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014280:Triglycerides; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids