Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in pregnancy differentially modulates arachidonic acid and DHA status across FADS genotypes in pregnancy

Abstract

Some FADS alleles are associated with lower DHA and ARA status assessed by the relative amount of arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in plasma and red blood cell (RBC) phospholipids (PL). We determined two FADS single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a cohort of pregnant women and examined the relationship of FADS1rs174533 and FADS2rs174575 to DHA and ARA status before and after supplementation with 600 mg per day of DHA. The 205 pregnant women studied were randomly assigned to placebo (mixed soy and corn oil) (n= 96) or 600 mg algal DHA (n=109) in 3 capsules per day for the last two trimesters of pregnancy. Women homozygous for the minor allele of FADS1rs174533 (but not FADS2rs174575) had lower DHA and ARA status at baseline. At delivery, minor allele homozygotes of FADS1rs174533 in the placebo group had lower RBC-DHA compared to major-allele carriers (P = 0.031), while in the DHA-supplemented group, all genotypes had higher DHA status compared to baseline (P = 0.001) and status did not differ by genotype (P = 0.941). Surprisingly, DHA but not the placebo decreased ARA status of minor allele homozygotes of both FADS SNPs but not major allele homozygotes at delivery. Any physiological effects of changing the DHA to ARA ratio by increasing DHA intake appears to be greater in minor allele homozygotes of some FADS SNPs.

Genetic variation in FADS genes is associated with maternal long-chain PUFA status but not with cognitive development of infants in a high fish-eating observational study

“…It could also be hypothesized that the reason for a lack of genetic influence on DHA status shown in the current study may be related to high fish consumption and subsequently higher levels of preformed DHA in the population, which may mean lower dependence on the endogenous synthesis pathway. This hypothesis is supported by the recent study by Scholtz et al where the influence of FADS genotype on DHA status became non-significant following fish oil supplementation among a group who had lower DHA status at baseline [ 37 ]. However, despite high fish intake in our cohorts, some endogenous activity for production of n-3 LC-PUFA might exist and thereby account for the higher LA:AA found in both cohorts and higher ALA:DHA found in NC2.…”

“…With respect to dietary variation, it is not fully understood how dietary availability of LC-PUFA impacts on the association between FADS genotype and LC-PUFA status [ 14 ]. It has been suggested that FADS genotype may be a greater determinant of LC-PUFA status in populations where fish consumption is low and there is expected to be greater dependence on endogenous synthesis of LC-PUFA [ 37 ]. Yet there remain no data on the influence of FADS genotype, on either LC-PUFA status or neurodevelopment, in populations with high fish consumption.…”

Praziquantel and Arachidonic Acid Combination — An Innovative Approach to the Treatment of Schistosomiasis

“…On average, ARA comprises 0.47±0.13% of total fatty acids in human milk [87]. The concentration of ARA in human milk varies between individuals and populations due, at least in part, to the presence of polymorphisms in the genes involved in the endogenous synthesis of LC-PUFAs [88].…”

FADS Polymorphism, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Diabetes Risk: A Systematic Review

“…A genetic variation in the FADS gene is linked to lower expression and activity of D5D and D6D, thereby increasing concentrations of the precursors linoleic acid (LA) and ALA but not of their downstream fatty acids AA, EPA and DHA [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. The impact of dietary intakes and its potential to attenuate differences between major and minor allele carriers of the FADS polymorphism remains unclear [ 26 , 27 ].…”