Docosahexaenoic acid development

Arachidonic acid (C20 4 n-6) is the precursor for the synthesis of prostaglandin molecules (Section 4.4.4), which have a wide range of biochemical effects on for example, the perception of pain, inflammation, blood clotting and smooth muscle contraction. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22 6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20 5) are both n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) which have been shown to have significantly beneficial effects on intellectual development and inflammatory conditions such as asthma and cardiovascular disease. 

For the NO studies that show inhibition of lipid peroxidation, we used HL-60 cells made more oxidizable by adding 32 pM docosahexaenoic acid (22 6q)3 ) to the growth media. When unenriched cells were examined, inhibition of oxidation was qualitatively identical, but the magnitude of the effect was less, and therefore more difficult to measure. The effect of lipid unsaturation will be developed below. 

Human milk is rich in essential fatty acids of both the omega-3 and omega-6 families. This suggests that the activity of the A -desaturase may be too low in the infant to provide a sufficient amount of these fatty acids for development of tissues, particularly the brain and retina. It has been shown that development of visual acuity in infants is dependent upon the presence of docosahexaenoic acid in mother s milk. Hence, it is recommended that breastfeeding should be carried out for as long as 12 months after birth. These fatty acids are now added to commercial infant feeds (Chapter 15, Table 15.8). 

Another commercially available product containing naturally occurring marine products is Formulaid , produced by Martek Biosciences as a nutritional supplement for infant formulas. Formulaid contains two fatty acids, arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), extracted from a variety of marine microalgae. ARA and DHA are the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acids found in breast milk, and they are the most important fatty acids used in the development of brain gray matter. They are especially desirable for use in infant formulas because they come from nonmeat sources and can be advertised as vegetarian additives to the product. 

It is well established that dietary (n-6) and (n-3) LCP modulate Thl and Th2 immune cell responses generation in the adult (Calder and Grimble, 2002). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) constitute a relatively small fraction of the total fatty acids in human breast milk, but have recently been suggested to participate in immime development... 

Anderson GJ, Connor WE, Corliss JD (1990) Docosahexaenoic acid is the preferred dietary o>-3 fatty acid for the development of the brain and retina. Pediatr Res 27 89-97 Assies J, Lieverse R, Vreken P, Wanders RJA, Dingemans PMJA, Linszen DH (2001) Significantly reduced docosahexaenoic and docosapentaenoic acid concentrations in erythrocyte membranes form schizophrenic patients compared with a carefully matched control group. Biol Psychiatr 45 510-522... 

Fish oils that contain high amounts of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids eiocosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20 5, n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22 6, n-3) have been suggested to decrease the risk of development of cardiovascular disease. Freshwater fish oil carp oil are not rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, but tuna oil is rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as EPA and DHA Table (1) . 

Schiefermeier M. and Yavin E. (2002). n-3 Deficient and docosahexaenoic acid-enriched diets during critical periods of the developing prenatal rat brain. J. Lipid Res. 43 124-131. 

Valenzuela A. and Nieto M. S. (2001). Docosahexaenoic acid (DFIA) in fetal development and infant nutrition. Revista Med. Chile 129 1203-1211. 

Another marine product undergoing development is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), developed via fermentation of a microalgae. DHA is a major component in human gray matter and is important for normal healthy development in infants. Various groups, such as the World Health Organization, have recommended DHA s inclusion in infant formulas at levels similar to those found in human milk. DHA is presently used in Belgium and Holland and is expected to gain approval in the United States. 

Other products under current development in the pharmafood sector include a salt substitute for hypertension a yogurt-like product that adds bacteria to stimulate the body s immune system and a drink containing docosahexaenoic acid (DTIA, the baby formula additive) that Japanese consumers believe boosts brain power before exams. 

Anderson GJ, Connor WE, Corliss JD. Docosahexaenoic acid is the preferred dietary n-3 fatty acid for the development of the brain and retina. Pediatr. Res. 1990 27 89-97. 

On the Relative Efficacy of a-Linolenic Acid and Preformed Docosahexaenoic Acid as Substrates for Tissue Docosahexaenoate During Perinatal Development... 

Arbuckle LD, Innis SM. Docosahexaenoic acid in developing brain and retina of piglets fed high or low alpha-linolenate formula with and without fish oil. Lipids 1992 27(2) 89—93. 

Heird WC, Prager TC, Anderson RE. Docosahexaenoic acid and the development and function of the infant retina. Curr Opin Lipidol 1997 8(1) 12—16. 

Sinclair AJ, Crawford MA. The incorporation of linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid into liver and brain lipids of developing rats. Fed Exp Biol Soc Lett 1972 26 127-129. 

Formation of neuronal membranes requires synthesis and assembly of membrane phospholipids containing significant amounts of esscnlial fatty acid, primarily arachidonic acid (20 4n-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (22 6n-3). Little quantitative evidence exists prior to 24 wk of gestation in the human. Accretion of essential fatty acids during the last trimester of intrauterine development has been estimated (Clandinin et al., 1981 a). 

Smiths, Abraham S. Fatty acid synthesis in developing mouse liver. Arch Biochem Biophys 1970 136 112-121. Stinson AM, Wiegand RD. Anderson RE. Recycling of docosahexaenoic acid in rat retinas during n-3 fatty... 

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) are two fatty acids abundant in human milk, but until recently, were not contained in commercial infant formulas. While the role of ARA supplementation is unclear, DHA is known to be important in both brain and eye development. In some studies, DHA and ARA supplementation has been shown to provide benefits to a child s visual function and/or cognitive and behavioral development. " Other studies have shown no difference with DHA and ARA supplementation. The FDA has classified the plant-based fatty acid blends of DHA and ARA (DHASCO, ARASCO Martek Biosciences Corporation) as generally recognized as safe in infant formulas. 

DHA (docosahexaenoic Acid) lower serum DHA levels predicted significantly increased risk of developing Alzheimer s Disease. controlled clinical trials showed cognitive improvement in patients with vascular dementia or Alzheimer s Disease. 

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