Subgram daily supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid protects low-density lipoproteins from oxidation in healthy men.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of supplementation with increasing doses of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as the only n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) redox status and oxidizability.


METHODS
Twelve healthy men aged 53-65 years ingested consecutive doses of DHA (200, 400, 800 and 1600 mg/day), each dose for two weeks.


RESULTS
The proportions of DHA increased dose-dependently in LDL phospholipids and cholesteryl esters, even after two weeks of supplementation with 200mg/day DHA. The daily intake of 200, 400 and 800 mg DHA resulted in increased alpha-tocopherol concentrations, decreased MDA concentrations, and a longer lag time for copper-induced LDL oxidation. Supplementation with 1600 mg/day DHA had no effect on the above parameters. In plasma, concentrations of 4-hydroxy-hexenal, specifically derived from the peroxidation of n-3 fatty acids, significantly increased after 800 and 1600 mg DHA, representing 0.01% of plasma n-3 PUFAs, while 4-hydroxy-nonenal concentrations, derived from the peroxidation of n-6 fatty acids, did not change.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results clearly show that an intake of 200-800 mg/day DHA may have protective and antioxidant effects on LDL and could represent optimal doses for cardiovascular disease prevention in a healthy population.
Calzada
Catherine
C
Université de Lyon, F-69622, Lyon, France. Catherine.Calzada@insa-lyon.fr
Colas
Romain
R
Guillot
Nicolas
N
Guichardant
Michel
M
Laville
Martine
M
Véricel
Evelyne
E
Lagarde
Michel
M
D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000378:metabolism; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014810:Vitamin E; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D003300:Copper; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D010100:Oxygen