The serum arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid ratio in children with healthy weight and obesity

The western diet is characterized by a high consumption of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and reduced n-3PUFAs, this phenomenon has been parallel to the increase in the prevalence of obesity. The studies that have analyzed the association between serum PUFAs and the influence on the development of adiposity in children is limited and the findings are controversial. The present study compared the ARA/EPA (arachidonic/eicosapentaenoic) PUFA ratio in children with healthy weight vs. obesity in a cross-sectional study. Thirty children were diagnosed with obesity and 32 children with healthy weight determined through the age-specific body mass index (BMI) Z score, according to the WHO. The variables included were weight, BMI, waist circumference (WC), and the serum ARA/EPA ratio. The Student's t test and Pearson correlation were performed and statistical significance was set at a p <0.05. The project was approved by the local ethics committee of the hospital Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. The serum ARA/EPA ratio was significantly higher in children with obesity compared with healthy weight (9.0 vs 5.4; p = 0.012). A statistically significant difference was observed between healthy weight boys and obese boys (p=0.003). Furthermore, the ARA/EPA ratio correlated positively with weight (r=0.336; p=0.008), BMI (r=0.373; p=0.003), WC (r=0.319; p=0.012) and cardio-metabolic risk (r=0.302; p=0.017). When performing a multivariate regression analysis, we identified that BMI was the only variable that remained significant and predicted the ARA/EPA ratio. In conclusion, the serum ARA/EPA ratio differed significantly in relation to weight and was higher in the obese children(AU)

La dieta occidental se caracteriza por un alto consumo de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados n-6(AGPI) y AGPIn-3 reducidos, fenómeno que ha sido paralelo al aumento en la prevalencia de la obesidad. Los estudios que han analizado la asociación entre AGPN en suero y adiposidad en niños son limitados y con hallazgos inconsistentes. El presente estudio comparó la relación ARA/EPA (ácido araquidónico/eicosapentaenoico) AGPI en niños con peso normal vs. obesidad. Es un estudio transversal donde treinta niños fueron diagnosticados con obesidad y 32 niños con peso normal determinado mediante el puntaje z del IMC para la edad, de acuerdo a la OMS. Las variables incluidas fueron peso, IMC, circunferencia de cintura (CC) y la relación ARA/EPA en suero. Se realizó prueba de t de Student y correlación de Pearson, la significación estadística se estableció en p <0,05. El proyecto fue aprobado por el comité de ética local del Hospital del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. La relación ARA/EPA en suero fue significativamente mayor en niños con obesidad en comparación con el peso normal (9,0 frente a 5,4; p = 0,012). Además, la relación ARA/EPA se correlacionó positivamente con el peso (r = 0.336; p = 0.008), IMC (r = 0.373; p = 0.003), CC (r = 0.319; p = 0.012). Al realizar un análisis de regresión multivariable, identificamos que el IMC fue la variable predictora que permaneció significativa. En conclusión, la relación de suero ARA/EPA fue significativamente mayor en los niños con obesidad(AU)

Analysis of EPA and DHA in the viscera of marine fish using gas chromatography

The viscera of 10 kinds of marine fishes were collected for fish oil extraction and detection of DHA and EPA, two most important polyunsaturated fatty acids. The fish oil extraction ratio for the evaluated fishes varied from 0.95% to 10.18% [wt%]. Pseudosciaena crocea presented the highest fish oil yield, followed by Mustelus manazo, Hippoglossus and Sciaenopsocellatus. A gas chromatography method was then established for analysis of EPA/DHA. The EPA concentration [in methyl ester form] in the fish oil varied from 1.39 to 10.65[mg/g]. Epinephelus awoara presented the highest EPA concentration [p<0.05], followed by Epinephelussp, Sciaenopsocellatus and Hippoglossus. The DHA concentration [in methyl ester form] in the fish oil varied from 0.58 to 37.02 [mg/g]. Epinephelus awoara presented the highest DHA concentration [p<0.05], followed by Sciaenopsocellatus, Pseudosciaena crocea and Hippoglossus. No strict positive correlation between the EPA/DHA concentration and the sea depth where the fish live was observed. The fishes living in middle depth presented highest EPA/DHA concentration

Composição de ácidos graxos do leite materno em mulheres residentes em área distante da costa litorânea brasileira / Breast milk fatty acid composition of women living far from the coastal area in Brazil

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a composição de ácidos graxos do leite humano maduro de mulheres residentes em área distante da costa litorânea brasileira. MÉTODOS: Amostras de leite materno maduro foram obtidas de 47 mulheres lactantes com idade entre 18 e 35 anos, que tiveram partos a termo e em aleitamento exclusivo ou predominante. A coleta de leite se deu a partir da 5ª semana pós-parto, por meio de ordenha manual. A composição de ácidos graxos do leite foi determinada por cromatografia gasosa. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que a concentração de eicosapentaenoico (0,08%) foi superior ao observado em estudos brasileiros prévios. Entretanto, o teor de docosahexaenoico (0,09%) encontrado no leite humano foi um dos menores já verificados no mundo. O teor de ácidos graxos trans (2,05%) foi similar ao relatado em estudos nacionais prévios à obrigatoriedade de declaração do teor deste em rótulos de alimentos, sugerindo que esta medida não surtiu efeito na redução de seu teor na dieta habitual das mulheres. CONCLUSÕES: Baixo teor de docosahexaenoico e elevada concentração de ácidos graxos trans foram verificados no leite materno maduro de mulheres residentes em área distante da costa litorânea brasileira.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the fatty acid composition of mature human milk of women living far from the coastal area of Brazil. METHODS: Mature breast milk samples were obtained from 47 lactating women aged between 18 and 35 years, who delivered their babies at term and who exclusively or predominantly breastfed. Milk collection took place after the fifth week postpartum by hand expression. The fatty acid composition of the milk was determined by gas chromatography. RESULTS: It was observed that the concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid (0.08%) was higher than that observed in previous studies in Brazil. However, the content of docosahexaenoic acid (0.09%) found in human milk was one of the lowest verified in the world. The content of trans fatty acids (2.05%) was similar to that reported in national studies previous to the mandatory declaration of this fatty acid content in food labels, suggesting that this measure had no effect on reducing the content of this fatty acid in the usual diet of women. CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of docosahexaenoic acid and high concentrations of trans fatty acids were observed in mature breast milk of women living far from the coastal area in Brazil.

Evaluación de diez especies de pescado para su inclusión como parte de la dieta renal, por su contenido de proteína, fósforo y ácidos grasos

Debido a la complejidad de la enfermedad renal, su tratamiento nutrimental es complicado y muchos alimentos se encuentran restringidos, entre ellos el pescado, por su contenido de fósforo. El objetivo del presente estudio fue cuantificar en el filete de diez especies de pescado, de consumo cotidiano en México: (Cyprinus carpio carpio, Ophichthus rex, Symphurus elongatus, Eucinostomus entomelas, Chirostoma patzcuaro, Bairdiella chrysoura, Salmo salar, Oreochromis urolepis hornorum, Sphyraena guachancho, Istiophorus albicans), el contenido de fósforo (P), proteína (Pr), colesterol, sodio, potasio, vitaminas D3 y E y ácidos grasos n-3 (EPA+DHA); para identificar, aquellos pescados que podrían ser incluidos en la dieta renal. Los análisis se realizaron de acuerdo a las técnicas del AOAC. Con los resultados se calcularon las relaciones entre los nutrimentos benéficos (EPA+DHA, vitaminas) y limitantes (Pr, P, colesterol). Los valores de proteína variaron entre 16.5 y 33.5g/100g de filete; el pescado con mayor contenido de fósforo fue Salmo salar y con menor Symphurus elongatus. La cantidad de EPA+DHA varió desde 79.64mg/100g hasta 1,381.53mg/100g. Tomando en cuenta la relación P/g de Pr recomendada para pacientes renales, todas las especies analizadas exceptuando Salmo salar, Ophichthus rex y Istiophorus albicans pueden ser incluidas en la dieta dependiendo de la etapa de la enfermedad. Considerando la relación entre P/EPA+DHA, las especies recomendadas para el paciente renal son Symphurus elongatus, Bairdiella chrysoura, y Sphyraena guachancho.

Evaluation of ten fish species to be included as part of renal diet, due to their protein, phosphorus and fatty acids content. Because renal disease is highly complex, its nutritional treatment is complicated and many foods are restricted, including fish because its phosphorus content. The aim of the present study was to analyze ten fillet fish species, commonly consumed in Mexico (Cyprinus carpio carpio, Ophichthus rex, Symphurus elongatus, Eucinostomus entomelas, Chirostoma patzcuaro, Bairdiella chrysoura, Salmo salar, Oreochromis urolepis hornorum, Sphyraena guachancho, Istiophorus albicans), to determine their phosphorus (P), protein (Pr), cholesterol, sodium, potassium, vitamins D3 and E, and n-3 PUFA (EPA+DHA) according to the AOAC techniques, in order to identify which species could be included in renal diet; particularly because of their risk:benefit relations (calculated with those results). Protein values ranged from 16.5 to 33.5g/100g of fillet; the specie with the highest phosphorus contest was Salmo salar, and with the lowest, Symphurus elongatus. EPA+DHA quantity ranged from 79.64mg/100g to 1,381.53mg/100g. Considering de P/Pr relation recommended to renal patients, all analyzed species (except Salmo salar, Ophichthus rex and Istiophorus albicans) could be included in their diet. As for the P/EPA+DHA relation, the species most recommended to renal patients are Symphurus elongatus, Bairdiella chrysoura and Sphyraena guachancho.