BACKGROUND: It has long been believed that DHA supplementation increases plasma EPA via the retroconversion pathway in mammals. However, in rodents this increase in EPA is likely due to a slower metabolism of EPA, but this has never been tested directly in humans. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to use the natural variations in 13C:12C ratio (carbon-13 isotopic abundance [δ13C]) of n-3 PUFA supplements to assess n-3 PUFA metabolism following DHA or EPA supplementation in humans. METHODS:Participants (aged 21.6 ± 2.2 y) were randomly assigned into 1 of 3 supplement groups for 12 wk: 1) olive oil control, 2) ∼3 g/d DHA, or 3) ∼3 g/d EPA. Blood was collected before and after the supplementation period, and concentrations and δ13C of plasma n-3 PUFA were determined. RESULTS:DHA supplementation increased (P < 0.05) plasma EPA concentrations by 130% but did not affect plasma δ13C-EPA (-31.0 ± 0.30 to -30.8 ± 0.19, milliUrey ± SEM, P > 0.05). In addition, EPA supplementation did not change plasma DHA concentrations (P > 0.05) but did increase plasma δ13C-DHA (-27.9 ± 0.2 to -25.6 ± 0.1, P < 0.05) toward δ13C-EPA of the supplement (-23.5 ± 0.22). EPA supplementation increased plasma concentrations of EPA and docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn-3) by 880% and 200%, respectively, and increased plasma δ13C-EPA (-31.5 ± 0.2 to -25.7 ± 0.2) and δ13C-DPAn-3 (-28.9 ± 0.3 to -25.0 ± 0.1) toward δ13C-EPA of the supplement. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we show that the increase in plasma EPA following DHA supplementation in humans does not occur via retroconversion, but instead from a slowed metabolism and/or accumulation of plasma EPA. Furthermore, substantial amounts of supplemental EPA can be converted into DHA. δ13C of n-3 PUFA in humans is a powerful and underutilized tool that can track dietary n-3 PUFA and elucidate complex metabolic questions. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03378232.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: It has long been believed that DHA supplementation increases plasma EPA via the retroconversion pathway in mammals. However, in rodents this increase in EPA is likely due to a slower metabolism of EPA, but this has never been tested directly in humans. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to use the natural variations in 13C:12C ratio (carbon-13 isotopic abundance [δ13C]) of n-3 PUFA supplements to assess n-3 PUFA metabolism following DHA or EPA supplementation in humans. METHODS:Participants (aged 21.6 ± 2.2 y) were randomly assigned into 1 of 3 supplement groups for 12 wk: 1) olive oil control, 2) ∼3 g/d DHA, or 3) ∼3 g/d EPA. Blood was collected before and after the supplementation period, and concentrations and δ13C of plasma n-3 PUFA were determined. RESULTS:DHA supplementation increased (P < 0.05) plasma EPA concentrations by 130% but did not affect plasma δ13C-EPA (-31.0 ± 0.30 to -30.8 ± 0.19, milliUrey ± SEM, P > 0.05). In addition, EPA supplementation did not change plasma DHA concentrations (P > 0.05) but did increase plasma δ13C-DHA (-27.9 ± 0.2 to -25.6 ± 0.1, P < 0.05) toward δ13C-EPA of the supplement (-23.5 ± 0.22). EPA supplementation increased plasma concentrations of EPA and docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn-3) by 880% and 200%, respectively, and increased plasma δ13C-EPA (-31.5 ± 0.2 to -25.7 ± 0.2) and δ13C-DPAn-3 (-28.9 ± 0.3 to -25.0 ± 0.1) toward δ13C-EPA of the supplement. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we show that the increase in plasma EPA following DHA supplementation in humans does not occur via retroconversion, but instead from a slowed metabolism and/or accumulation of plasma EPA. Furthermore, substantial amounts of supplemental EPA can be converted into DHA. δ13C of n-3 PUFA in humans is a powerful and underutilized tool that can track dietary n-3 PUFA and elucidate complex metabolic questions. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03378232.
Authors: Giulia Cisbani; Alex Koppel; Adam H Metherel; Mackenzie E Smith; Kankana N Aji; Ana C Andreazza; Romina Mizrahi; Richard P Bazinet Journal: Lipids Date: 2022-01-24 Impact factor: 1.880
Authors: Sandi M Azab; Russell J de Souza; Koon K Teo; Sonia S Anand; Natalie C Williams; Jordan Holzschuher; Chris McGlory; Stuart M Philips; Philip Britz-McKibbin Journal: J Lipid Res Date: 2020-03-31 Impact factor: 5.922
Authors: Dominique Turck; Jacqueline Castenmiller; Stefaan De Henauw; Karen Ildico Hirsch-Ernst; John Kearney; Alexandre Maciuk; Inge Mangelsdorf; Harry J McArdle; Androniki Naska; Carmen Pelaez; Kristina Pentieva; Alfonso Siani; Frank Thies; Sophia Tsabouri; Marco Vinceti; Francesco Cubadda; Thomas Frenzel; Marina Heinonen; Rosangela Marchelli; Monika Neuhäuser-Berthold; Morten Poulsen; Miguel Prieto Maradona; Josef Rudolf Schlatter; Henk van Loveren; Emanuela Turla; Helle Katrine Knutsen Journal: EFSA J Date: 2021-01-19
Authors: Anandita Pal; Adam H Metherel; Lauren Fiabane; Nicole Buddenbaum; Richard P Bazinet; Saame Raza Shaikh Journal: Nutrients Date: 2020-12-02 Impact factor: 5.717
Authors: Kristen N Gilley; Kathryn A Wierenga; Preeti S Chauhuan; James G Wagner; Ryan P Lewandowski; Elizbeth A Ross; A L Lock; Jack R Harkema; Abby D Benninghoff; James J Pestka Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-05-15 Impact factor: 3.240