n-3 fatty acids in human fat tissue aspirates are stable for up to 6 y.
OBJECTIVE
The content of n-3 (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids in fat tissue is a valid indicator of their long-term consumption. We studied the stability of n-3 fatty acids in human subcutaneous fat microbiopsies after 6 and 11 y of storage.


METHODS
Microbiopsies were taken from a lump of human adipose tissue and stored at +20 and -80 degrees C.


METHODS
Laboratory study.


RESULTS
After 5.6 y at -80 degrees C the proportion of six out of seven highly polyunsaturated fatty acids varied between 91 and 102% (mean 97%) of their baseline values. Storage at +20 degrees C yielded recoveries between 82 and 105%. After 11 y at -80 degrees C the proportions in the original lump of tissue ranged from 88 to 101% (mean 94%).


CONCLUSIONS
n-3 fatty acids in stored fat tissue aspirates are stable for 6-11 y, and are suitable markers of baseline diet in long-term epidemiological studies.


BACKGROUND
Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences.
Katan
M B
MB
Nutrition and Health Program, Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences, Bomenweg 2, 6703 HD Wageningen, The Netherlands. wcfs1@wur.nl
Harryvan
J L
JL
van de Bovenkamp
P
P
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods*
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3