title: Fatty acid desaturase expression in human leucocytes correlates with plasma phospholipid fatty acid status.
abstract: Associations between and changes in plasma phospholipid fatty acid (FA) concentrations and expression of delta 5 desaturase (D5D), delta 6 desaturase (D6D) and delta 9 desaturase (D9D) in leucocytes were investigated both before and during n-3 FA supplementation for 2 weeks in 20 healthy individuals. Participants were divided into two groups depending on fish intake: one fish meal or less per week and no marine FA supplement (Lowfish, n = 9) and more than one fish meal per week and/or daily oral marine FA supplement (Highfish, n = 11). Before starting supplementation (t = 0), concentrations of n-3 FAs were significantly lower in the Lowfish group compared to the Highfish group. During supplementation in both groups, n-3 FAs increased, whereas n-6 FAs decreased. D5D expression was significantly higher in Lowfish compared to Highfish at t = 0. No difference in D6D or D9D expression was observed. D5D expression was inversely correlated with EPA, DPA, DHA and total n-3 FA, and positively correlated with the ratio total n-6 FA/total n-3 FA at t = 0. Expression of D5D in the Lowfish group as well as D6D in both groups significantly decreased relative to the expression at t = 0 during the first day of supplement. PUFA concentration was generally predicted by its precursor FA and D5D or D6D expression. The correlations mentioned disappeared after 2 weeks of supplementation. This indicates that steady-state FA desaturase expression is associated with plasma phospholipid FA composition. Whether leucocyte desaturase expression may have potential as a marker of PUFA status merits further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Jens Erik
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Slagsvold
authors.forename: Ketil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thorstensen
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kvitland
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Erixon
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Knagenhjelm
authors.forename: Merete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mack
authors.forename: Kristian Sigvart
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Bjerve