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Correlation between increased airway responsiveness and severity of pulmonary edema.

To determine whether the severity of the pulmonary edema in sheep models of cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema correlate with concomitant alterations in airway responsiveness using three separate measures of pulmonary edema: post-mortem wet-to-dry lung weight ratio (W/D), chest radiograph (CXR) scores, and small airway wall area. Cardiogenic pulmonary edema was induced by increasing left atrial pressure (increase PLA) and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema was induced by intravenous administration of Perilla ketone (PK). There was a significant negative correlation between changes in airway responsiveness and changes in CXR grade (r=-0.749, P<0.05), W/D (r=-0.662, P<0.05), airway wall areas (r=0.784, P<0.05) after increases in both PLA and PK. Chest radiograph score, W/D, and airway wall area correlated with each other (CXR score and W/D r=0.657, P<0.05; CXR score and airway wall area r=0.678, P<0.05; airway wall area and W/D r=0.704, P<0.05). We speculate that the increased airway responsiveness observed during pulmonary edema may result from the mechanical effects of edema formation within the airways.

Airway Resistance↗

Fish oil-feeding prevents perfluorooctanoic acid-induced fatty liver in mice.

The effects of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on the levels of lipids in liver and serum were compared between mice fed a diet supplemented with soy bean oil (SO), perilla oil (PO), or fish oil (FO) for 4 weeks. Hepatic content of triglyceride (TG) was significantly lower in the mice fed the FO diet than that in the mice fed either the SO or the PO diet. The treatment with PFOA caused a marked accumulation of TG in the livers of SO-fed and PO-fed mice (seven- and twofold over their respective controls), whereas a level of TG remained low in the mice fed the FO diet. Incorporation in vivo of [3H]glycerol revealed that FO-feeding reduced synthesis of TG in the liver. The administration of PFOA increased the incorporation of [3H]glycerol into hepatic phospholipid (PL) regardless of the dietary oil, while synthesis of hepatic TG from [3H]glycerol was not altered by the treatment with PFOA. Serum level of TG was reduced by the administration of PFOA to the mice fed either the SO diet or the PO diet, while no change in the level was observed in the mice fed the FO diet. These results suggest that the accumulation of TG in the livers of PFOA-treated mice is due to the inhibition of the secretion of TG into circulation. PFOA-induced hepatic accumulation of TG is prevented by the feeding of the FO diet which inhibits TG formation. Among three dietary oils, FO-feeding alone prevented the PFOA-caused accumulation of TG in the liver. The importance of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6(n - 3)) is discussed in relation to the prevention of fatty liver induced by chemicals.

Animals↗

Screening of the antibacterial effects of a variety of essential oils on respiratory tract pathogens, using a modified dilution assay method.

The purpose of this study was to examine the antibacterial effects of a wide variety of essential oils on major respiratory tract pathogens. The antibacterial activity of 14 essential oils and their major components was evaluated by agar-plate dilution assay under sealed conditions, with agar used as a stabilizer for homogeneous dispersion. Of the selected strains of four major bacteria causing respiratory tract infection, Haemophilus influenzae was most susceptible to the essential oils, followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes. Staphylococcus aureus was less susceptible. No cross-resistance was observed between penicillin-sensitive and penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae. Escherichia coli, used as a control bacterium, showed the lowest susceptibility. Essential oils containing aldehyde or phenol as a major component showed the highest antibacterial activity, followed by the essential oils containing terpene alcohols. Other essential oils, containing terpene ketone, or ether, had much weaker activity, and an oil containing terpene hydrocarbon was inactive. Based on these findings, thyme (wild, red, and geraniol types), cinnamon bark, lemongrass, perilla, and peppermint oils were selected for further evaluation of their effects on respiratory tract infection.

Agar↗

Effect of n-3 fatty acid deficiency on fatty acid composition and metabolism of aminophospholipids in rat brain synaptosomes.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) is one of the major polyunsaturated fatty acids esterified predominantly in aminophospholipids such as ethanolamine glycerophospholipid (EtnGpl) and serine glycerophospholipid (SerGpl) in the brain. Synaptosomes prepared from rats fed an n-3 fatty acid-deficient safflower oil (Saf) diet had significantly decreased 22:6n-3 content with a compensatory increased 22:5n-6 content when compared with rats fed an n-3 fatty acid-sufficient perilla oil (Per) diet. When the Saf group was shifted to a diet supplemented with safflower oil plus 22:6n-3 (Saf + DHA) after weaning, 22:6n-3 content was found to be restored to the level of the Per group. The uptake of [3H]ethanolamine and its conversion to [3H]EtnGpl did not differ significantly among the three dietary groups, whereas the formation of [3H]lysoEtnGpl from [3H]ethanolamine was significantly lower in the Saf group than in the other groups. The uptake of [3H]serine, its incorporation into [3H]SerGpl, and the conversion into [3H]EtnGpl by decarboxylation of [3H]SerGpl did not differ among the three dietary groups. The observed decrease in lysoEtnGpl formation associated with a reduction of 22:6n-3 content in rat brain synaptosomes by n-3 fatty acid deprivation may provide a clue to reveal biochemical bases for the dietary fatty acids-behavior link.

Animals↗

Effects of diets enriched in n-6 or n-3 fatty acids on cholesterol metabolism in older rats chronically fed a cholesterol-enriched diet.

Hypocholesterolemic effects in older animals after long-term feeding are unknown. Therefore, aged rats (24 wk of age) fed a conventional diet were shifted to diets containing 10% perilla oil [PEO; oleic acid + linoleic acid + alpha-linolenic acid; n-6/n-3, 0.3; polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid (P/S), 9.6], borage oil [oleic acid + linoleic acid + alpha-linolenic acid; n-6/n-3, 15.1; P/S, 5.3], evening primrose oil (EPO; linoleic acid + gamma-linolenic acid; P/S, 10.5), mixed oil (MIO; oleic acid + linoleic acid + gamma-linolenic acid + alpha-linolenic acid; n-6/n-3, 1.7; P/S, 6.7), or palm oil (PLO; palmitic acid + oleic acid + linoleic acid; n-6/n-3, 25.3; P/S, 0.2) with 0.5% cholesterol for 15 wk in this experiment. There were no significant differences in the food intake and body weight gain among the groups. The liver weight in the PEO (n-6/n-3, 0.3) group was significantly higher than those of other groups in aged rats. The serum total cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) + intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) + low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations of the PLO (25.3) group were consistently higher than those in the other groups. The serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations of the PEO (0.3) and EPO groups were significantly lower than in the other groups at the end of the 15-wk feeding period. The liver cholesterol concentration of the PLO (25.3) group was significantly higher than those of other groups. There were no significant differences in the hepatic LDL receptor mRNA level among the groups. Hepatic apolipoprotein (apo) B mRNA levels were not affected by the experimental conditions. The fecal neutral steroid excretion of the PLO (25.3) group tended to be low compared to the other groups. The results of this study demonstrate that both n-6 fatty acid and n-3 fatty acids such as gamma-linolenic acid and alpha-linolenic acid inhibit the increase of serum total cholesterol and VLDL + IDL + LDL-cholesterol concentrations of aged rats in the presence of excess cholesterol in the diet compared with dietary saturated fatty acid.

Aging↗

Free fatty acid fractions from some vegetable oils exhibit reduced survival time-shortening activity in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Previously, we demonstrated that several vegetable oils that included low-erucic rapeseed oil markedly shortened the survival time (by approximately 40%) of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive (SHRSP) rats as compared with perilla oil, soybean oil, and fish oil. We considered that a factor other than fatty acids is toxic to SHRSP rats, because the survival time-shortening activity could not be accounted for by the fatty acid compositions of these oils. In fact, a free fatty acid (FFA) fraction derived from lipase-treated rapeseed oil was found to be essentially devoid of such activity. A high-oleate safflower oil/safflower oil/perilla oil mixture exhibited a survival time-shortening activity comparable to that of rapeseed oil, but the activity of this mixed oil was also reduced by lipase treatment. A partially hydrogenated soybean oil shortened the survival time by approximately 40%, but a FFA fraction derived from lipase-treated partially hydrogenated soybean oil shortened it by 13% compared with soybean oil. Fatty acid compositions of the rapeseed oil and a FFA fraction derived from lipase-treated rapeseed oil were similar, but those of hepatic phospholipids of rats fed the oil and FFA were slightly but significantly different. These results support the interpretation that the survival time-shortening activity exhibited by some vegetable oils is due to minor components other than fatty acids, and that an active component(s) were produced in or contaminated soybean oil during the partial hydrogenation processes.

Animals↗

Dietary alpha-linolenate suppresses endotoxin-induced platelet-activating factor production in rat kidney.

In comparison with dietary high-linoleate safflower oil, high alpha-linolenate perilla oil decreased alkylacyl- and alkenylacyl-glycerophosphocholine (GPC) content in rat kidney by roughly 30 and 25%, respectively. The fatty acid composition was also modified by high alpha-linolenate oil; arachidonic acid (AA) level in alkylacyl-GPC, a platelet-activating factor (PAF) precursor, decreased by 30% along with concomitant increases in the n-3 fatty acid levels. PAF contents under resting conditions were similarly low in the two dietary groups. Fifteen minutes after endotoxin administration, PAF and lyso-PAF contents increased significantly, and the PAF content in the high alpha-linolenate group was 60% lower than in the high linoleate group; the lyso-PAF contents also tended to be lower. Lyso-PAF acetyltransferase and CoA-independent transacylase activities in kidney microsomes increased significantly after endotoxin administration, while PAF acetylhydrolase activity in the cytosol was relatively unchanged. The lyso-PAF acetyltransferase and PAF acetylhydrolase activities did not differ between the two dietary groups, but the CoA-independent transacylase activity was roughly 30% lower in the high alpha-linolenate group. In agreement with in vitro study, our present study demonstrates that dietary high alpha-linolenate suppresses PAF production in rat kidney during systemic endotoxemia, and which is mainly due to the decrease in alkylacyl-GPC content, altered fatty acid compositions of the precursor lipids and lower CoA-independent transacylase activity.

1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase↗

Modulation by dietary oils and clofibric acid of arachidonic acid content in phosphatidylcholine in liver and kidney of rat: effects on prostaglandin formation in kidney.

The manipulation of 20:4(n - 6) contents in phosphatidylcholine of liver and kidney of rats by dietary oils and p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid (clofibric acid) as well as the effects on the formation of prostaglandin E2 in kidney were studied. Three groups of rats were fed diets that contained either safflower oil (SO) or perilla oil (PO) or fish oil (FO) for 1 week. Each dietary group was divided into two groups. One group continued the same diet for another 1 week; the second group continued the same diet and received subcutaneous injections of clofibric acid once a day for 1 week. The content of 20:4(n - 6) in hepatic phosphatidylcholine was markedly lowered by feeding either FO or PO and was further decreased by the administration of clofibric acid. Feeding either FO or PO lowered the content of 20:4(n - 6) in hepatic phosphatidylethanolamine, whereas clofibric acid increased it. The decrease in the level of 20:4(n - 6) in serum phospholipid was produced by feeding either FO or PO and by the administration of clofibric acid as well. There was a high correlation for the levels of 20:4(n - 6) between hepatic phosphatidylcholine and serum phospholipid. The changes brought about by dietary oils and clofibric acid in renal phosphatidylcholine was similar to those observed in liver. The content of 20:4(n - 6) in renal phosphatidylcholine was highly correlated with the level of 20:4(n - 6) in serum phospholipid. Other phospholipids in kidney responded less sensitively to the manipulation by dietary oils and clofibric acid. These results suggest that the level of 20:4(n - 6) in renal phosphatidylcholine is regulated by the level of 20:4(n - 6) in hepatic phosphatidylcholine through the changes in serum level of 20:4(n - 6). Formation of prostaglandin E2 in kidney slices was dependent on the content of 20:4(n - 6) in renal phosphatidylcholine.

Animals↗

Luteolin prevents PDGF-BB-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells by inhibition of PDGF beta-receptor phosphorylation.

Luteolin occurs as glycosylated forms in celery, green pepper, perilla leaf and camomile tea, and has been shown to possess antimutagenic, antitumorigenic, antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. In this study, we have investigated the antiproliferable effect and its mechanism of luteolin on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation of rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Luteolin significantly inhibited PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and DNA synthesis of rat aortic VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, flow cytometry analysis of DNA content revealed blocking of the PDGF-BB-inducible cell cycle progression by luteolin. Pre-incubation of rat aortic VSMCs with luteolin significantly inhibited the PDGF-BB-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), Akt and phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma1 activation as well as c-fos gene expression. Consisted with these findings, luteolin inhibited PDGF-Rbeta phosphorylation induced by PDGF-BB in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of luteolin on the PDGF-BB-induced proliferation of rat aortic VSMCs may be mediated by blocking phosphorylation of PDGF-Rbeta.

Animals↗

Inhibitory effects of rosmarinic acid on adriamycin-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiac muscle cells by inhibiting reactive oxygen species and the activations of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase.

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a naturally occurring polyphenolic and is found in several herbs in the Lamiaceae family, such as, Perilla frutescens. ADR is a potent anti-tumor drug, but is unfortunately potently cardiotoxic. This study was undertaken to investigate the inhibitory effect of RA on ADR-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiac muscle cells at a mechanistic level. In vitro, ADR significantly decreased the viabilities of H9c2 cells, and this was accompanied by apoptotic features, such as a change in nuclear morphology and caspase protease activation. RA was found to markedly inhibit these apoptotic characteristics by reducing intracellular ROS generation and by recovering the mitochondria membrane potential (delta psi). In addition, RA reversed the downregulations of GSH, SOD and Bcl-2 by ADR. In the present study, ADR was found to activate c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), transcriptional factor-activator-protein (AP)-1. We found that c-fos, Jun-B, Jun-D and p-c-Jun were super shifted by ADR, indicating that these proteins have an important role in the ADR-induced AP-1 activation. The inhibitions of JNK and ERK using appropriate inhibitors or dominant negative cell lines reduced ADR-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiac muscle cells. Taken together, these results suggest that RA can inhibit ADR-induced apoptosis in H9C2 cardiac muscle cells by inhibiting ROS generation and JNK and ERK activation. Thus, we propose that RA should be viewed as a potential chemotherapeutic that inhibits cardiotoxicity in ADR-exposed patients.

Animals↗

Childhood emotional abuse and neglect as predictors of psychological and physical symptoms in women presenting to a primary care practice.

OBJECTIVE: There were two aims to this study: first to examine whether emotional abuse and neglect are significant predictors of psychological and somatic symptoms, and lifetime trauma exposure in women presenting to a primary care practice, and second to examine the strength of these relationships after controlling for the effects of other types of childhood abuse and trauma. METHOD: Two-hundred and five women completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (Bernstein et al., 1994), Trauma History Questionnaire (Green, 1996), the Symptom Checklist-revised (Derogatis, 1997), and the Revised Civilian Mississippi Scale for posttraumatic stress disorder (Norris & Perilla, 1996) when presenting to their primary care physician for a visit. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine unique contributions of emotional abuse and neglect variables on symptom measures while controlling for childhood sexual and physical abuse and lifetime trauma exposure. RESULTS: A history of emotional abuse and neglect was associated with increased anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress and physical symptoms, as well as lifetime trauma exposure. Physical and sexual abuse and lifetime trauma were also significant predictors of physical and psychological symptoms. Hierarchical multiple regressions demonstrated that emotional abuse and neglect predicted symptomatology in these women even when controlling for other types of abuse and lifetime trauma exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Long-standing behavioral consequences may arise as a result of childhood emotional abuse and neglect, specifically, poorer emotional and physical functioning, and vulnerability to further trauma exposure.

Adolescent↗

Behavioral and biochemical studies on chronic mild stress models in rats treated with a Chinese traditional prescription Banxia-houpu decoction.

There is increasing evidence that psychological stress and depression trigger changes in various biochemical parameters in animals and in human subjects. In order to study these effects, the impact of chronic mild stress (CMS) on rats, and of the subsequent administration of Banxia-houpu decoction and fluoxetine, were studied regarding their effects on the following biochemical parameters: 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels in various brain regions, natural killer (NK) cell and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell activities in spleen, serum lipid profiles including total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) and triglyceride (TG), liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), and interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels. The effects of drug administration on preference behavior for consumption of sucrose solution were also assessed. Rats subjected to CMS exhibited a reduction in sucrose intake, 5-HT, 5-HIAA, IL-2, TC, HDLc and LDLc levels, as well as, diminished NK cell and LAK cell activities. Conversely, liver SOD and NOS activities and serum TG and MDA levels were increased following CMS exposures. Administration of Banxia-houpu decoction and fluoxetine produced beneficial effects on the stressed rats by improving sucrose consumption. This behavioral change was accompanied by amelioration of numbers CMS-induced biochemical changes. Banxia-houpu decoction is a traditional Chinese prescription containing pinellia tuber, magnolia bark, hoelen, perilla herb and ginger rhizome, and has been used for centuries in China to treat mental diseases including depression and schizophrenia. However, the pharmacological profile of the decoction is different from that of fluoxetine. These findings suggest that the therapeutic actions of Banxia-houpu decoction are due to a combination of multiple biochemical effects, and may help to elucidate the mechanisms through which distinct biochemical parameters play a role in the etiology of depression.

Animals↗

Arsenic, Sb and Bi contamination of soils, plants, waters and sediments in the vicinity of the Dalsung Cu-W mine in Korea.

The objective of this study is to investigate environmental contamination derived from metalliferous mining activities. In the study area, the Dalsung Cu-W mine, soils, various crop plants, stream waters, sediments and particulates were sampled in and around the mine and analyzed for As, Sb and Bi by ICP-AES with a hydride generator. In addition, soil pH, cation exchange capacity, loss-on-ignition and soil texture were also measured. Concentrations of As, Sb and Bi in surface soils sampled in the mine dump sites averaged 2500, 54 and 436 microg g(-1), respectively. Relatively lower concentrations, however, were found in soils from alluvial and high land sites and household garden sites. Arsenic, Sb and Bi contents in plant samples varied depending upon their species and parts, with higher concentrations in spring onions, soybean leaves and perilla leaves and lower levels in red peppers, corn grains and jujube grains. These results confirm that elemental concentrations in plant leaves are much higher than those in plant grain. Elevated levels of As, Sb and Bi were also found in stream sediments sampled in the vicinity of the mine and decreased with distance from the mine. Concentrations in stream water samples ranged from 0.8 to 19.1 microg As l(-1) and from 0.3 to 8.4 microg Bi l(-1); all the samples contained less than 1.0 microg Sb l(-1). Because of very low particulate loading at the time of sampling, the metal contents in particulates were very low (< 8.2 microg As l(-1), < 0.22 microg Sb l(-1) and 2.8 microg Bi l(-1). This may be mainly due to the low solubility of those elements under moderately acidic and oxidizing conditions of the mining area.

Antimony↗

Dietary n-3 fatty acid deficiency decreases nerve growth factor content in rat hippocampus.

Dietary deprivation of alpha-linolenic acid (n-3) through two generations has been shown to lower performance in an operant-type brightness-discrimination learning test in rats. Here, we examined a possible correlation between nerve growth factor (NGF) content and n-3 fatty acid status in the brain. Female rats were fed a semipurified diet supplemented with safflower oil (n-3 fatty acid-deficient) and their offsprings were fed a diet supplemented with either 3% safflower oil (Saf group) or a mixture of 2.4% safflower oil plus 0.6% ethyl eicosapentaenoate (Saf+EPA group) after weaning. The brain docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA) content in the Saf group was less than half of that in the Per group fed a diet supplemented with 3% perilla oil (n-3 fatty acid-sufficient) throughout the duration of the experiment. The DHA level of the Saf+EPA group was restored to the level of the Per group. However, the NGF contents in the hippocampus of the Saf and Saf+EPA groups were half that of the Per group. In the piriform cortex, the NGF content tended to be higher in the Saf and Saf+EPA groups than in the Per group. These results indicate that dietary n-3 fatty acid deficiency and restoration affect NGF levels differently among different brain regions.

Animals↗

Antidepressant effects of Banxia Houpu decoction, a traditional Chinese medicinal empirical formula.

Banxia Houpu Decoction, having been used for the treatment of depression-related diseases since ancient times, is a traditional Chinese medicinal empirical formula consisting of Pinellia ternata, Poria cocos, Magnolia officinalis, Perilla frutescens and Zingiber officinale. The effects of the total decoction extract and five fractions therefrom, were evaluated in mice by tail suspension and forced swimming tests. The total 90% ethanol extract of the decoction was shown to possess an antidepressant activity that was close to that of Prozac, an antidepressant agent being applied clinically. Furthermore, the active principles were desmonstrated to be mainly in the aqueous (Bx4) and lipophic (Bx5) parts of the decoction extract while the polyphenol fraction (Bx2) exhibited a moderate action.

Animals↗

Soybean protein lowers serum cholesterol levels in hamsters: effect of debittered undigested fraction.

The undigested fraction (UDF) of soybean protein exerts a marked hypocholesterolemic effect in relation to soybean protein (SOY) in rats. The present study was conducted to confirm whether UDF was effective in hamsters as in rats in combination with different fat sources, either perilla oil (PER) or safflower oil (SAF). Because the hamster, unlike the rat, disliked the bitter taste of UDF, the effect of debittering UDF also was studied. Cholesterol-enriched (0.2%) diets containing 20% protein and 10% fat were fed to hamsters for 4 wk. UDF was more hypocholesterolemic than soybean protein in hamsters regardless of the dietary fat source. The ratio of high-density lipoprotein to total cholesterol essentially remained unchanged. The debittered UDF, without influencing food intake and thereby weight gain, exerted a significant hypocholesterolemic effect comparable with UDF in relation to SOY accompanying stimulation of fecal neutral and acidic steroid excretion. The fatty acid composition of liver phospholipids was influenced by the type of the dietary protein, and both UDF seemed to interfere characteristically more than SOY with the desaturation systems between linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. Thus, the debittered UDF, similar to UDF, exerted a distinct influence on the various parameters of lipid metabolism in relation to SOY.

Animals↗

Effect of dietary oils enriched with n-3 fatty acids on survival of mice.

Female mice were fed a conventional diet, shifted at 119 days of age to a diet supplemented with 10 wt % lard (Lar), high-linoleic (n-6) safflower oil (Saf), rapeseed oil (low-erucic, Rap), high-alpha-linolenic (n-3) perilla oil (Per) or a mixture (1:9) of ethyl docosahexaenoate (n-3) and soybean oil (DHA/Soy). Weight gain was less in the Per group than in the other groups at 497 days of age. In the Rap group, proteinuria was more severe than in the Saf, Per and DHA/Soy group, and hepatic triacylglycerol accumulation was greater than in the other groups. The mean survival time of the DHA/Soy group (753 days) was significantly longer than in the Lar group (672 days) and Saf group (689 days); the differences among other groups (e.g., 701 days in the Per group and 712 days in the Rap group) were not statistically significant. Although DHA is more susceptible to auto-oxidation than other major fatty acids in the air, an oil containing DHA was found to increase the survival of mice. Rapeseed oil that decreases the survival time of SHRSP rats was found to be safe in the mouse strain used in this study when survival was an end point.

Journal Article↗

Dietary docosahexaenoic acid ameliorates, but rapeseed oil and safflower oil accelerate renal injury in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats as compared with soybean oil, which is associated with expression for renal transforming growth factor-beta, fibronectin and renin.

We have noted that n-3 fatty acid-rich oils, such as fish oil, perilla oil and flaxseed oil as well as ethyl docosahexaenoate (DHA) prolonged the survival time of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) rats by approximately 10% as compared with linoleate (n-6)-rich safflower oil. Rapeseed oil with a relatively low n-6/n-3 ratio unusually shortened the survival time by approximately 40%, suggesting the presence of minor components unfavorable to SHRSP rats. This study examined the effects of dietary oils and DHA on renal injury and gene expression related to renal injury in SHRSP rats. Rats fed rapeseed oil- and safflower oil-supplemented diets developed more severe proteinuria than those fed soybean oil-supplemented diet used as a control, but there were no significant differences in blood pressure. In contrast, the DHA-supplemented diet inhibited the development of proteinuria and suppressed hypertension. The mRNA levels for renal TGF-beta, fibronectin and renin were higher in the rapeseed oil and safflower oil groups after 9 weeks of feeding of the experimental diet than in the soybean oil and DHA groups. The fatty acid composition of kidney phospholipids was markedly affected by these diets. These results indicate that the renal injury observed in the groups fed safflower oil with a high n-6/n-3 ratio and rapeseed oil with presumed minor components is accompanied by increased expression of the TGF-beta, renin and fibronectin genes, and that dietary DHA suppresses renal injury and gene expression as compared with soybean oil.

Animals↗