Fish oil regulates blood fatty acid composition and oxylipin levels in healthy humans: A comparison of young and older men

• Published in: Molecular nutrition & food research Vol. 60; no. 3; pp. 631 - 641
• Main Authors: Zulyniak, Michael A, Roke, Kaitlin, Gerling, Christopher, Logan, Samantha L, Spriet, Lawrence L, Mutch, David M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley-VCH 01-03-2016; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; blood serum; DHA; Dietary Supplements; docosahexaenoic acid; Docosahexaenoic Acids - pharmacology; eicosapentaenoic acid; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - pharmacology; EPA; erythrocytes; fatty acid composition; Fatty Acids - blood; fish consumption; fish oils; Fish Oils - pharmacology; Gene Expression; genes; Humans; Male; men; Middle Aged; Omega-3 Index; oxylipins; Oxylipins - blood; Red blood cells; Serum; triacylglycerols; Young Adult; Serum; Red blood cells; Omega-3 Index; DHA; EPA
• ISSN: 1613-4125; 1613-4133
• DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201500830

SCOPE: Increased consumption of fish oils rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is associated with improved cardiometabolic health and inflammatory status; however, age‐related responses remain poorly described. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a placebo‐controlled study, healthy young and older men consumed five fish oil capsules daily, providing 2.0 g/d EPA and 1.0g/d DHA, for three months. Both young and older men experienced a ∼30% reduction in blood triglycerides with fish oil supplementation. A significant group × time interaction was observed for DHA, with young men experiencing a ∼twofold increase in DHA in serum and RBCs, while older men showed negligible increases. Other fatty acids were differentially regulated between young and older men, most notably osbond acid and several saturates. Small changes were observed in serum oxylipins, with both groups of men responding similarly: 5‐HETE was reduced, while PGF2α and 17‐HDoHE were increased. Changes in oxylipins occurred independent of changes in whole blood expression of key genes regulating oxylipin production. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that both young and older men experience the triglyceride‐lowering benefits associated with fish oil supplements, but show differential responses in blood fatty acids. Additionally, fish oil promotes an improved oxylipin profile in both groups of men.