Regulation of lipid metabolism-related gene expression in whole blood cells of normo- and dyslipidemic men after fish oil supplementation

authored by

Simone Schmidt, Janina Willers, Frank Stahl, Kai Oliver Mutz, Thomas Scheper, Andreas Hahn, Jan Philipp Schuchardt

Abstract

Background: Beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) on the lipid levels of dyslipidemic subjects are widely described in the literature. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of n-3 PUFAs on the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in normo- and dyslipidemic men to unveil potential genes and pathways affecting lipid metabolism. Methods. Ten normo- and ten dyslipidemic men were supplemented for twelve weeks with six fish oil capsules per day, providing 1.14 g docosahexaenoic acid and 1.56 g eicosapentaenoic acid. The gene expression levels were determined by whole genome microarray analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Several transcription factors (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), retinoid X receptor (RXR) α, RXRγ, hepatic nuclear factor (HNF) 6, and HNF1ß) as well as other genes related to triacylglycerol (TG) synthesis or high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and cholesterol metabolism (phospholipids transfer protein, ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 5, 2-acylglycerol O-acyltransferase (MOGAT) 3, MOGAT2, diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1, sterol O-acyltransferase 1, apolipoprotein CII, and low-density lipoprotein receptor) were regulated after n-3 PUFA supplementation, especially in dyslipidemic men. Conclusion: Gene expression analyses revealed several possible molecular pathways by which n-3 PUFAs lower the TG level and increase the HDL-C and low-density lipoprotein level, whereupon the regulation of PPARα appear to play a central role. Trial registration. ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT01089231).

Organisation(s)

Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Institute of Technical Chemistry
Nutrition Physiology and Human Nutrition Section

Type

Article

Journal

Lipids in health and disease

Volume

11

ISSN

1476-511X

Publication date

14.12.2012

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Endocrinology, Clinical Biochemistry, Biochemistry, medical

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-511X-11-172 (Access: Open)