Comparison of docosahexaenoic acid uptake in murine cardiomyocyte culture and tissue: significance to physiologically relevant studies.

Long-chain n-3 (or omega 3) fatty acids, namely docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) have been attributed cardioprotective properties. In this study, we evaluated the incorporation of DHA into cardiomyocytes and the shift in the omega 3/omega 6 ratio after supplementation of primary cardiomyocyte culture. Results are compared with atrial tissue concentrations attained after prolonged feeding of rats.

Lipidomics of hepatic lipogenesis inhibition by omega 3 fatty acids.

We assessed - by a lipidomic approach - the differential incorporation of EPA and DHA into hepatic lipids, after prolonged feeding of rats with fish oil. We also evaluated their effect on lipogenesis and its related enzymes. Rats were administered 100 mg/kg/d fish oil, by oral gavage, for 30 days.

Differential distribution of DHA-phospholipids in rat brain after feeding: A lipidomic approach.

On a per-weight basis, the brain is the organ richest in lipids, including a remarkable proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of the omega 3 series, namely eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids. The cerebral effects of exogenous DHA likely depend on its degree of incorporation into neuronal phospholipids and on its distribution among the various brain structures, after intake. Hence, because PUFAs are not evenly distributed among the brain phospholipid classes and because the existence of class-specific phospholipases that regulate their turnover, we sought to investigate the incorporation of omega 3 PUFAs in selected brain areas regions and specific phospholipid classes.

Docosahexaenoic acid down-regulates endothelial Nox 4 through a sPLA2 signalling pathway.

We investigated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by evaluating its modulation of the two enzymes most involved in vascular inflammation, i.e. endothelial secreted phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) and NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox) 4.

Weight and plasma lipid control by decaffeinated green tea.

We investigated whether regular decaffeinated green tea intake could modulate body weight in an experimental model of obesity. Male leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mice and their C57BL/6J lean littermates (4 weeks of age; n 20/genotype) were assigned randomly to receive either decaffeinated green tea or vehicle, for 6 weeks. Body weights were recorded weekly and fluid intake was measured at each replacement.