Bioavailability and spatial distribution of fatty acids in the rat retina after dietary omega-3 supplementation [Research Articles]

In this study, Wistar rats were fed for 8 weeks with balanced diet including either EPA-containing phospholipids (PLs), EPA-containing TGs, DHA-containing PLs, or DHA-containing TGs. Qualitative changes in FA composition of plasma, erythrocytes, and retina were evaluated by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Following the different dietary intakes, changes to the quantity and spatial organization of PC and PE species in retina were determined by LC coupled to MS/MS and MALDI coupled to MS imaging. The omega-3 content in the lipids of plasma and erythrocytes suggests that PLs as well as TGs are good omega-3 carriers for retina. However, a significant increase in DHA content in retina was observed, especially molecular species as di-DHA-containing PC and PE, as well as an increase in very long chain PUFAs (more than 28 carbons) following PL-EPA and TG-DHA diets only. All supplemented diets triggered spatial organization changes of DHA in the photoreceptor layer around the optic nerve. Taken together, these findings suggest that dietary omega-3 supplementation can modify the content of FAs in the rat retina.

Source: The Journal of Lipid Research - December 1, 2020 Category: Lipidology Authors: Vidal, E., Jun, B., Gordon, W. C., Maire, M.-A., Martine, L., Gregoire, S., Khoury, S., Cabaret, S., Berdeaux, O., Acar, N., Bretillon, L., Bazan, N. G. Tags: Research Articles Source Type: research