title: Incorporation of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids into lipid pools when given as supplements providing doses equivalent to typical intakes of oily fish.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Estimation of the intake of oily fish at a population level is difficult. The measurement of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in biological samples may provide a useful biomarker of intake.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We identified the most appropriate biomarkers for the assessment of habitual oily fish intake and changes in intake by elucidating the dose- and time-dependent response of EPA and DHA incorporation into various biological samples that represent roles in fatty acid transport, function, and storage.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a double-blind, randomized, controlled intervention trial in 204 men and women that lasted 12 mo. EPA and DHA capsules were provided in a manner to reflect sporadic consumption of oily fish (ie, 1, 2, or 4 times/wk). EPA and DHA were assessed at 9 time points over 12 mo in 9 sample types (red blood cells, mononuclear cells, platelets, buccal cells, adipose tissue, plasma phosphatidylcholine, triglycerides, cholesteryl esters, and nonesterified fatty acids).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A dose response (P < 0.05) was observed for EPA and DHA in all pools except for red blood cell EPA (P = 0.057). EPA and DHA measures in plasma phosphatidylcholine and platelets were best for the discrimination between different intakes (P < 0.0001). The rate of incorporation varied between sample types, with the time to maximal incorporation ranging from days (plasma phosphatidylcholine) to months (mononuclear cells) to >12 mo (adipose tissue).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma phosphatidylcholine EPA plus DHA was identified as the most suitable biomarker of acute changes in EPA and DHA intake, and platelet and mononuclear cell EPA plus DHA were the most suitable biomarkers of habitual intake.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lucy M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Browning
authors.forename: Celia G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Adrian P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Mander
authors.forename: Annette L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Madden
authors.forename: Joanna M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gambell
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Susan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Jebb
authors.forename: Philip C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Calder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid