Effect of ovary lipid of skipjack tuna on rat serum components after stress application

Lipid extracted from the ovary of skipjack tuna by the method that we developed is rich in phospholipid-type docosahexaenoic acid. The ovary lipid of skipjack tuna (OLS) was studied for its anti-stress activity in male Wistar rats, focusing on stress-related blood components: recovery from stress was examined after application of water immersion restraint stress. As a result, serum corticosterone (CORT) secretion was inhibited and decreased rapidly after stress application in rats given OLS compared with control rats. As CORT acts as a glucocorticoid, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) is expected to increase by stress application. However, the concentration tended to be lower in rats given OLS than in control rats. With respect to OLS concentration, OLS increased serum dehydroepiandrosterone, secretion concentration-dependently. In addition, as with the recovery study, it tended to inhibit the increase in NEFA. These results indicate that OLS may have an anti-stress activity against acute stress.     

Effect of n-3 fatty acid ratio and dose on clinical manifestations,plasma fatty acids and inflammatory mediators in dogs with pruritus

The use of n-3 fatty acids is often recommended to manage pruritus. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of various doses of n-3 fatty acids at different n-6:n-3 ratios on plasma fatty acids, clinical response and inflammatory mediators in pruritic dogs. After baseline assessment, dogs were randomly assigned to receive diets varying in both total n-3 and n-6 fatty acid dose and n-6:n-3 ratio. The total clinical score decreased significantly in all four diet groups after 8 weeks with no difference between groups. Plasma fatty acid changes generally mirrored the fatty acid content of the test diets, although alterations appeared to depend on both the dose of n-3 fatty acids and the n-6:n-3 ratio. In this clinical trial, which controlled dietary intake of fatty acids, n-3 fatty acid supplementation did not appear to have an added benefit on clinical signs over thorough clinical management.     

Nutrition and metabolism in poultry: role of lipids in early diet

Modern strains of broiler chickens are selected for fast growth and are marketed anywhere from 36 to 49 days after a21-day incubational period. For a viable healthy chick, all the necessary nutrients required for growth and development must be provided by the hen through the fertilized egg. The current feeding strategies for improved growth, health and productivity are targeted towards chicks after hatching. Considering the fact that developing chick embryo spends over 30 % of its total life span inside the hatching egg relying on nutrients deposited by the breeder hen, investigations on nutritional needs during pre-hatch period will improve embryonic health, hatchability and chick viability. In this context, investigations on hatching egg lipid quality is of utmost importance because, during incubation, egg fat is the major source of energy and sole source of essential omega-6(n-6) and omega-3(n-3) fatty acids to the chick embryo.Due to the unique roles of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in growth, immune health, and development of central nervous system, this review will focus on the role of early exposure to essential fatty acids through maternal diet and hatching egg and its impact on progeny in meat-type broiler chickens.     

Anti-anxiety effect of ovary lipid extracted from Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) in rats

Using an elevated plus-maze test, we evaluated anxiety level in rats given ovary lipid extracted from Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis; OLS). The percentage of open time was significantly higher in rats given OLS than in rats in the control group, but lower than in rats given diazepam (1.0 mg/kg body weight). Based on this fact and findings about other indicators, this study showed that OLS does not have as fast-acting and strong an anti-anxiety effect as diazepam but that continuous ingestion of OLS causes an anti-anxiety effect in animals.     

Influence of exogenous application of n-3 fatty acids on meat quality, lipid composition, and oxidative stability in pigs.

The effect of dietary n-3 fatty acids on the fatty acid composition and lipid peroxidation of different tissues in pigs were studied. 20 castrated male pigs were included in this investigation, one half was fed daily a diet containing 1.3 g n-3 fatty acids/kg diet (control) and 10 pigs were fed a diet containing 14 g n-3 fatty acids/kg diet (n-3 diet) at the growing-finishing period. The intake of dietary n-3 fatty acids increased the concentration of these fatty acids in backfat, and the neutral and polar fractions of skeletal muscle and heart homogenates. The polar fraction showed an increased relative concentration of n-3 fatty acids in comparison to control, while the n-6 fatty acid content was reduced. In heart homogenates there was an enlargement of n-3 fatty acids both in polar lipids and in neutral lipids whilst n-6 fatty acids were decreased. Feeding n-3 fatty acid enriched diet had no influence on meat quality parameters drip loss, meat colour or pH value. The lipid peroxidation (measured as malondialdehyde equivalents) was in the order liver > heart > skeletal muscle with higher values in the n-3 group. However, by stimulation of oxidation by Fe2+/ascorbate for 3 hours the order of oxidative products in the n-3 group was muscle > liver > heart, whereas in the control group the order was liver > heart = muscle. Summarized, feeding a highly n-3 fatty acid enriched diet caused an incorporation of these fatty acids and increased the susceptibility to peroxidation in all investigated tissues.     

Brown and white adipose tissue lipid composition in three successive progenies of rats: effects of ethanol exposure.

The effect of ethanol exposure on the fatty acid composition of brown and white adipose tissue in three successive rat progenies at the end of an experimental period (24 weeks) was studied. Ethanol-treated rats received a standard rat chow diet and 5, 10 and 15% ethanol in the ad libitum drinking fluid over 3 successive weeks. Then a concentration of 20% ethanol was maintained for 5 additional weeks up to the end of the experimental period. The males and females in the ethanol treated group were mated to obtain the 1st generation of offspring. Then female and male rats from the 1st generation were mated to obtain the 2nd generation. Finally, males and females from the 2nd generation were mated to obtain the 3rd generation of ethanol treated rats. Another group served as control and received only water and a standard rat chow diet. The control group was handled in the same way as the other experimental groups. In the 1st and 2nd generations the percentage of stearic acid (18:0) decreased and palmitoleic (16:1n7) and oleic acid (18:1n9) increased in both adipose tissues of ethanol-treated rats with respect to control. Additionally, n-3 and n-6 series were reduced both in brown and white adipose tissues. In the 3rd generation the fatty acid composition of the white adipose tissue was similar to that of control rats. Thus, no significant difference in essential fatty acids and oleic acid (18:1n9) were found. However, the fatty acid composition of the brown adipose tissue, in the 3rd generation, was similar to that observed in the 1st and 2nd generation. Thus, a decrease in essential fatty acids and an increase in oleic acid (18:1n9) was found. This suggests adaptation to ethanol consumption during successive progenies in white adipose tissue. However, in brown adipose tissue the values indicate a triglyceride storing during the thermogenesis, which is more important to newborns.     

The partial substitution of digestible protein with gelatinized starch as an energy source reduces susceptibility to lipid oxidation in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) muscle

We evaluated the influence of dietary gelatinized starch and protein on the fatty acid composition of muscle in rainbow trout and European sea bass and on the susceptibility of flesh to lipid peroxidation. The possibility that flesh peroxidation could be accounted for by lipogenesis and the deposition of fat was also explored. The inclusion of gelatinized starch in the diet of rainbow trout improved growth with respect to that observed in fish fed crude starch (P<.001). This was especially noticeable at the lowest concentration of dietary protein tested (P = .037); suggesting that gelatinized starch may partially replace protein in the production of energy without inducing a negative effect on growth. However, in European sea bass, the gelatinization of starch and dietary protein concentration showed no significant effect on final body weight. The intramuscular neutral lipid concentration of the sea bass was reduced by the gelatinization of dietary starch (P = .034). The highest dietary protein concentration increased the proportion of saturated fatty acids in the neutral (P = .0742) and polar (P = .0033) lipid fractions. The dietary inclusion of high levels of protein in rainbow trout led to a lower concentration of total (n-3) (P = .0457) and (n-6) (P = .0522) fatty acids and a higher concentration of total monounsaturated fatty acids (P = .0006). The inclusion of gelatinized starch led to a lower concentration of (n-3) fatty acids (P = .0034) and a higher concentration of saturated fatty acids (P = .0007). The polar fraction was hardly affected by the same treatment. A significantly lower susceptibility of the dorsal muscle to oxidation was observed in groups of European sea bass fed gelatinized starch (P<.01). A similar trend was observed in rainbow trout, although differences were not significant. The findings suggest that the digestible protein concentration of nutrient-dense diets for rainbow trout and European sea bass can be reduced with a beneficial effect on tissue lipid oxidation and no negative effects on growth and muscle composition.     

Canine plasma and erythrocyte response to a docosahexaenoic acid-enriched supplement: characterization and potential benefits

Results of this study confirm that dietary supplementation in dogs with a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids (salmon oil), with a docosahexaenoic acid:eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA:EPA) ratio of 1.5:1, increases plasma and red blood cell levels of these fatty acids. Supplementation with this DHA-enriched oil improves the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid omega-6:omega-3 (n-6:n-3) ratio, which may benefit dogs of all ages. Studies describing some of the neurologic, renal, cardiovascular, immune, and musculoskeletal effects of elevated blood levels of n-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are reviewed. The importance of providing an enriched source of DHA, instead of its shorter precursors, is emphasized.     

Nutrition and metabolism in poultry: role of lipids in early diet

Modern strains of broiler chickens are selected for fast growth and are marketed anywhere from 36 to 49 days after a 21-day incubational period. For a viable healthy chick, all the necessary nutrients required for growth and development must be provided by the hen through the fertilized egg. The current feeding strategies for improved growth, health and productivity are targeted towards chicks after hatching. Considering the fact that developing chick embryo spends over 30 % of its total life span inside the hatching egg relying on nutrients deposited by the breeder hen, investigations on nutritional needs during pre-hatch period will improve embryonic health, hatchability and chick viability. In this context, investigations on hatching egg lipid quality is of utmost importance because, during incubation, egg fat is the major source of energy and sole source of essential omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids to the chick embryo. Due to the unique roles of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in growth, immune health, and development of central nervous system, this review will focus on the role of early exposure to essential fatty acids through maternal diet and hatching egg and its impact on progeny in meat-type broiler chickens.     

Effects of dietary flaxseed oil supplementation on equine plasma fatty acid concentrations and whole blood platelet aggregation

An 18-week feeding trial was performed to investigate the effects of an omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid-enriched ration on plasma fatty acid concentrations and platelet aggregation in healthy horses. Flaxseed oil served as the source of the n-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Twelve horses were fed dietary maintenance requirements using a complete pelleted ration (80%) and timothy grass hay (20%) for a 2-week acclimation period before being randomly assigned either to a treatment (group 1) or control (group 2) group. Group 2 horses (n = 6) were fed the diet described in the acclimation period, whereas group I horses (n = 6) were fed a 10% flaxseed oil-enriched complete pellet (80%) and grass hay (20%). Biological samples and physical measurements were collected at one point during the acclimation period (week 0) and every 4 weeks thereafter (weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16). Body weight, CBC (including platelet count), plasma fibrinogen. electrolyte (Na, K, and Cl) concentrations, and biochemical profile enzyme activities (aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and creatine kinase) did not change markedly with diet. Platelet aggregation was not altered by the supplementation of flaxseed oil in these healthy horses, although increases in plasma cis-polyunsaturated 18-carbon fatty acids C18:3; n-3 (ALA) and C18:2; n-6 (linoleic acid), biologically active C20:5; n-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evident. There were no marked decreases in C20:4; n-6 (arachidonic acid [AA]) or increases in C22:6; n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]), signifying that flaxseed oil may have had a high percentage of omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids as well as n-3 fatty acids, and this relatively high n-6: n-3 fatty acid ratio may have affected the biochemical effect of n-3 fatty acids. In healthy horses supplemented with flaxseed oil, platelet aggregation was not altered, which may have been due to the limited biologic effect in healthy subjects or the inability of flaxseed oil to induce the necessary biochemical effect of replacing n-6 fatty acids with n-3 types.     

Influence of dietary long-chain n-3 fatty acids from menhaden fish oil on plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in geriatric beagles

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of dietary n-3 fatty acids from Menhaden fish oil on plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations in Beagles. ANIMALS: 32 female Beagles. PROCEDURE: For 82 days, dogs were fed diets that contained 1 of 2 ratios of n-6:n-3 fatty acids (40:1 [low n-3] and 1.4:1 [high n-3]) and 1 of 3 concentrations of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (low, 17 mg/kg of diet; medium, 101 mg/kg; and high, 447 mg/kg) in a 2 X 3 factorial study. RESULTS: Diets high in n-3 fatty acids significantly increased total content of n-3 fatty acids in plasma (17.0 g/100 g of fatty acids), compared with low n-3 diets (2.02 g/100 g of fatty acids). Mean +/- SEM plasma concentration of cholesterol was significantly lower in dogs consuming high n-3 diets (4.59 +/- 0.48 mmol/L), compared with dogs consuming low n-3 diets (5.71 +/- 0.48 mmol/L). A significant interaction existed between the ratio for n-6 and n-3 fatty acids and amount of alpha-tocopheryl acetate in the diet (plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration expressed on a molar basis), because the plasma concentration of alpha-toco-pherol was higher in dogs consuming low n-3 diets, compared with those consuming high n-3 diets, at the 2 higher amounts of dietary alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration expressed relative to total lipid content did not reveal effects of dietary n-3 fatty acids on concentration of alpha-tocopherol. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration is not dependent on dietary ratio of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids when alpha-tocopherol concentration is expressed relative to the total lipid content of plasma.     

Challenges in enriching milk fat with polyunsaturated fatty acids

Milk fatty acid composition is determined by several factors including diet. The milk fatty acid profile of dairy cows is low in polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially those of the n-3 series. Efforts to change and influence fatty acid profile with longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have proven challenging. Several barriers prevent easy transfer of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids to milk fat including rumen biohydrogenation and fatty acid esterification. The potential for cellular uptake and differences in fatty acid incorporation into milk fat might also have an effect, though this has received less research effort. Given physiological impediments to enriching milk fat with polyunsaturated fatty acids, manipulating the genome of the cow might provide a greater increase than diet alone, but this too may be challenged by the physiology of the cow.     

Challenges in enriching milk fat with polyunsaturated fatty acids

Milk fatty acid composition is determined by several factors including diet. The milk fatty acid profile of dairy cows is low in polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially those of the n-3 series. Efforts to change and influence fatty acid profile with longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have proven challenging. Several barriers prevent easy transfer of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids to milk fat including rumen biohydrogenation and fatty acid esterification. The potential for cellular uptake and differences in fatty acid incorporation into milk fat might also have an effect, though this has received less research effort. Given physiological impediments to enriching milk fat with polyunsaturated fatty acids, manipulating the genome of the cow might provide a greater increase than diet alone, but this too may be challenged by the physiology of the cow.     

多不饱和脂肪酸对鱼饲料转化率的影响及其机理

由于过分的海洋捕捞以及对海水鱼消费的增加,导致海水鱼油供不应求,研究使用鱼油替代品发展水产养殖业势在必行。植物油供应稳定,价廉物美,但是它富含多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFAs),却缺乏高度不饱和脂肪酸(HUFAs),尤其缺乏n-3HUFAs。文章结合本研究所多年来对HUFAs的研究成果,重点综述PUFAs特别是n-3HUFAs对鱼饲料转化率的影响及其机理,并探索植物油替代鱼油存在的问题及解决方法,以促进有效利用PUFAs和用植物油替代鱼油养殖海水鱼,发展可持续的海水养殖业。     

Early deposition of n-3 fatty acids from tuna oil in lean and adipose tissue of fattening pigs is mainly permanent

A total of 600 crossbred pigs, whereof 56 were randomly selected for more in-depth studies of carcass and pork quality, were employed to test different tuna oil feeding regimens. The focus was put on the efficiency to enrich lean and adipose tissue with n-3 fatty acids and the expression of adverse side-effects on performance, carcass, and pork quality. The 4 treatments were 0% tuna oil in diet (T0; control), 1% of unrefined tuna oil in diet fed from 35 to 90 kg of BW (T1), and 3% of unrefined tuna oil in diet offered during the early (35 to 60 kg of BW; T3-E) or late stage of fattening (75 to 90 kg of BW; T3-L). With this arrangement, pigs consumed equal lifetime amounts of tuna oil (approximately 1.6 kg per pig). None of the tuna oil treatments had significant effects on performance. There were no differences in carcass quality among tuna oil groups except for group T3-E where carcasses and loin chops were fatter than those of the other groups. Water-holding capacity and texture of the loin as well as firmness and melting properties of the backfat remained widely unaffected by the treatments. Tuna oil feeding resulted in a lighter, less red and less yellow backfat and was found to increase the proportion of n-3 fatty acids to total fatty acids in all treatments. This especially concerned eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, but not alpha-linolenic acid. There was also a slight increase in oleic acid, whereas n-6 fatty acids largely decreased. Feeding tuna oil during a short period at the end of fattening (T3-L) or permanently during fattening (T1) proved to be similarly efficient in increasing n-3 fatty acid content of lean and adipose tissue (to about 1.6-fold of T0). By contrast, only two-thirds of this increase was found when the same amount of tuna oil had been fed exclusively during early fattening (T3-E). The decreased efficiency in T3-E was associated with better sensory flavor, overall acceptability grading, and oxidative status. The results show that, particularly under the condition of a continuous supply, much of the n-3 fatty acids ingested in early fattening can be recovered in pork. These findings give farmers flexibility as to when and how pork can be enriched in n-3 fatty acids with fish oil.     

Genetic analyses and quantitative trait loci detection, using a partial genome scan, for intramuscular fatty acid composition in Scottish Blackface sheep

Genetic parameters for LM fatty acid composition were estimated in Scottish Blackface sheep, previously divergently selected for carcass lean content (LEAN and FAT lines). Furthermore, QTL were identified for the same fatty acids. Fatty acid phenotypic measurements were made on 350 male lambs, at approximately 8 mo of age, and 300 of these lambs were genotyped across candidate regions on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 14, 18, 20, and 21. Fatty acid composition measurements included in total 17 fatty acids of 3 categories: saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated. Total i.m. fat content was estimated as the sum of the fatty acids. The FAT line had a greater i.m. fat content and more oleic acid, but less linoleic acid (18:2 n-6) and docosapentaenoic acid (22:5 n-3) than did the LEAN line. Saturated fatty acids were moderately heritable, ranging from 0.19 to 0.29, and total SFA were highly heritable (0.90). Monounsaturated fatty acids were moderately to highly heritable, with cis-vaccenic acid (18:1 n-7) being the most heritable (0.67), and total MUFA were highly heritable (0.73). Polyunsaturated fatty acids were also moderately to highly heritable; arachidonic acid (20:4 n-6) and CLA were the most heritable, with values of 0.60 and 0.48, respectively. The total PUFA were moderately heritable (0.40). The QTL analyses were performed using regression interval mapping techniques. In total, 21 chromosome-wide QTL were detected in 6 out of 8 chromosomal regions. The chromosome-wide, significant QTL affected 3 SFA, 5 MUFA, and 13 PUFA. The most significant result was a QTL affecting linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) on chromosome 2. This QTL segregated in 2 of the 9 families and explained 37.6% of the phenotypic variance. Also, 10 significant QTL were identified on chromosome 21, where 8 out of 10 QTL were segregating in the same families and detected at the same position. The results of this study demonstrate that altering carcass fatness will simultaneously change i.m. fat content and oleic, linoleic, and docosapentaenoic acid content. The heritabilities of the fatty acids indicate opportunities for genetically altering most fatty acids. Moreover, this is the first report of detection of QTL directly affecting fatty acid composition in sheep.     

Effects of dietary n-6 and n-3 fatty acids and vitamin E on the immune response of healthy geriatric dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of dietary n-6 to n-3 fatty acid ratios and alpha-tocopheryl acetate concentration on immune functions andT cell subpopulations in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: Thirty-two 7- to 10-year old female Beagles. PROCEDURE: For 17 weeks, dogs were fed food that contained low (1.4:1) or high (40:1) ratios of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids in combination with 3 concentrations of all rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (low, 17 mg/kg of food; medium, 101 mg/kg; high, 447 mg/kg). Dogs were inoculated twice with a keyhole limpet hemocyanin suspension at 13 and 15 weeks. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, dogs consuming low concentrations of alpha-tocopheryl acetate had lower percentages of CD8+ T cells, compared with dogs consuming medium or high alpha-tocopheryl acetate concentrations. Also, dogs consuming low alpha-tocopheryl acetate concentrations had higher CD4+ to CD8+ T cell ratios. On day 4 of week 15, the percentage of CD8+ T cells was highest in dogs fed medium concentrations of alpha-tocopheryl acetate, compared with other dogs; however, the CD4+ to CD8+ T cell ratio was higher only in dogs fed low concentrations of alpha-tocopheryl acetate with high concentrations of n-3 fatty acids. Dogs consuming low concentrations of n-3 fatty acids with medium concentrations of alpha-tocopheryl acetate had the largest delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin test response. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An optimum amount of dietary alpha-tocopheryl acetate concentration, regardless of the dietary n-6 to n-3 fatty acid ratio, stimulates the CD8+ T cell population. Effects of an optimum amount of dietary alpha-tocopheryl acetate concentration on the DTH response are blunted by dietary n-3 fatty acids.     

Effect of ovary lipid of Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) on anxious behavior in rats

Ovary lipid of Skipjack tuna (OLS) (Katsuwonus pelamis) contains a high level of docosahexaenoic acid combined with phospholipids. In this study, we examined the effect of OLS in male Wistar rats given OLS mixed in feed (0.9%) for 42 days, using an animal model of anxiety, the elevated T-maze test. The avoidance latency at the 1st trial was significantly shorter in the OLS ingestion group than in the control group. Those at the 2nd and 3rd trials showed a similar tendency. There was almost no difference in escape latency at the 1st trial between the two groups but the escape latencies at the 2nd and 3rd trials tended to be longer in the OLS group. These results suggested that OLS inhibits anxious behavior in rats.     

The Effects of n-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Bleeding Time, Plasma Fatty Acid Composition, and In Vitro Platelet Aggregation in Cats

Dietary supplementation with fish and fish oils rich in the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been shown to alter eicosanoid metabolism and impair platelet function in several species. As an initial step in evaluating the antithrombotic effect of these n-3 fatty acids in cats, purified EPA and DHA were administered daily to 8 clinically normal cats for 2 months. Platelet function was evaluated biweekly by determining mucosal bleeding time and in vitro platelet aggregation parameters. Plasma fatty acid profiles were obtained before fish oil supplementation and at the termination of the study. In spite of significant increases ( P < .0001) in the plasma concentrations of EPA and DHA after n-3 fatty acid supplementation, there were no significant changes in platelet aggregation or bleeding times. Although it is tempting, based on extrapolation of data from other species, to recommend dietary supplementation with fish oil for cats prone to arterial thromboembolism, these results indicate that administration of large doses of purified EPA and DHA once daily does not inhibit platelet function in normal cats and is unlikely to prevent thrombosis in cats with cardiovascular disease. Additional studies are recommended to ascertain whether more frequent administration of these purified n-3 fatty acids or continual feeding of diets high in n-3 fatty acid content will impair platelet function.     

The effects of dietary n-3 vs. n-6 fatty acids on ex-vivo LTB4 generation by canine neutrophils

Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are widely used for amelioration of inflammatory skin disease in dogs. In this study, a diet containing two different sources of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid–triglyceride (from menhaden oil) and concentrated ethyl esters–was fed to one group of six purpose-bred dogs, while an isocaloric isonitrogenous diet with corn oil (n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids) was fed to another group of eight purpose-bred dogs for six weeks. Peripheral blood neutrophils, isolated at week–1 (baseline), week 2 and week 6, were stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187 and the amount of leukotriene B₄ produced was determined via reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Analysis of variance of log-transformed data revealed a significant effect for diet ( P  = 0.005) at six weeks, with dogs fed the high n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid diet having significantly less mean ex vivo neutrophil leukotriene B₄ production than dogs fed the high n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid diet. Further studies on the clinical usefulness of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters are warranted.