Acute ingestion of a meal rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids results in rapid gastric emptying in humans.
BACKGROUND
n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have proven benefits for both the development of atherosclerosis and inflammatory conditions. The effects on atherosclerosis may be partly mediated by the observed reduction in fasting and postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations after both acute and chronic n-3 PUFA ingestion.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess gastric emptying and gastrointestinal hormone release after the consumption of mixed meals rich in n-3 PUFAs or other classes of fatty acids.


METHODS
Ten healthy women (aged 50-62 y) completed 4 separate study visits in a single-blind, randomized design. On each occasion, subjects consumed 40 g oil rich in either saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, n-6 PUFAs, or n-3 PUFAs as part of a mixed meal. [1-(13)C]Octanoic acid (100 mg) was added to each oil. Gastric emptying was assessed by a labeled octanoic acid breath test, and concentrations of gastrointestinal hormones and plasma lipids were measured.


RESULTS
Recovery of (13)C in breath was enhanced after n-3 PUFA ingestion (P < 0.005). The cholecystokinin response after the n-3 PUFA meal was significantly delayed (P < 0.001), and the glucagon-like peptide 1 response was significantly reduced (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The inclusion of n-3 PUFAs in a meal alters the gastric emptying rate, potentially as the result of changes in the pattern of cholecystokinin and glucagon-like peptide 1 release.
Robertson
M Denise
MD
Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. denise.robertson@oxlip.ox.ac.uk
Jackson
Kim G
KG
Fielding
Barbara A
BA
Morgan
Linda M
LM
Williams
Christine M
CM
Frayn
Keith N
KN
D019747:Aldose-Ketose Isomerases; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001944:Breath Tests; D002210:Caprylates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002766:Cholecystokinin / Q000097:blood; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000097:blood; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D019894:Peptide YY / Q000097:blood; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood
D002210:Caprylates; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008055:Lipids; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; D019894:Peptide YY; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D005934:Glucagon; D002766:Cholecystokinin; D019747:Aldose-Ketose Isomerases; C028221:hyi protein, E coli; C031492:octanoic acid