Alterations in levels and ratios of n–3 and n–6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the temporal cortex and liver of vervet monkeys from birth to early adulthood

Abstract

Deficiencies in omega-3 (n-3) long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) and increases in the ratio of omega-6 (n-6) to n-3 LC-PUFAs in brain tissues and blood components have been associated with psychiatric and developmental disorders. Most studies have focused on n-3 LC-PUFA accumulation in the brain from birth until 2 years of age, well before the symptomatic onset of such disorders. The current study addresses changes that occur in childhood and adolescence. Postmortem brain (cortical gray matter, inferior temporal lobe; n=50) and liver (n=60) from vervet monkeys fed a uniform diet from birth through young adulthood were collected from archived tissues. Lipids were extracted and fatty acid levels determined. There was a marked reduction in the ratio of n-6 LC-PUFAs, arachidonic acid (ARA) and adrenic acid (ADR), relative to the n-3 LC-PUFA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in temporal cortex lipids from birth to puberty and then a more gradual decrease though adulthood. This decrease in ratio resulted from a 3-fold accumulation of DHA levels while concentrations of ARA remained constant. Early childhood through adolescence appears to be a critical period for DHA accretion in the cortex of vervet monkeys and may represent a vulnerable stage where lack of dietary n-3 LC-PUFAs impacts development in humans.

Precision Nutrition and Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: A Case for Personalized Supplementation Approaches for the Prevention and Management of Human Diseases

“…Does the near fixation of the ancestral haplotype, with its limited capacity to synthesize LC-PUFAs in Native American ancestry individuals, together with the PUFA composition (high levels of LA and low levels of ALA and DHA) give rise to n -3 LC-PUFA deficiencies and resulting diseases/disorders in Native American populations? DHA is critical for brain function throughout the human life span, but its accumulation is especially important to healthy brain development during gestation and infancy [ 144 , 145 , 146 ]. Additionally, as described above, n -3 LC-PUFAs such as DHA, DPA and EPA and their metabolites have potent anti-inflammatory properties [ 47 , 58 ].…”

Deliciousness of food and a proper balance in fatty acid composition as means to improve human health and regulate food intake

“…But there are indications that just as cardiovascular disease was the Achilles heel in Western societies in the twentieth century, the central nervous system-particularly the brain-will be the next area of vulnerability, and the human brain will become under siege. The brain is most vulnerably when it is under development in the fetus and in young children [21,27,42]. DHA is a factor in the development of the nervous system and brain of the fetus and the infant, especially vision and cognitive proficiencies.…”

Omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid intake of children and older adults in the U.S.: dietary intake in comparison to current dietary recommendations and the Healthy Eating Index

“…It is important to understand fatty acid consumption as part of the overall diet to align recommendations and scientific research with actual practice. Much has been made of the imbalanced consumption of fatty acids over recent decades [ 1 – 4 ] due to the demonstrated importance of fatty acids to the brain [ 5 – 8 ] and cognitive function [ 9 – 12 ]. Data from food commodities have indicated increasing imbalance in the n-6/n-3 ratio in the food supply over time [ 2 , 13 ], with some reviews indicating ratios above 20:1 [ 1 , 14 , 15 ].…”