α-linolenic acid metabolism in men and women:: nutritional and biological implications

被引:312
作者
Burdge, G [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Southampton, Inst Human Nutr, Southampton SO16 7PX, Hants, England
关键词
alpha-linolenic acid; docosahexaenoic acid; gender; beta-oxidation;
D O I
10.1097/00075197-200403000-00006
中图分类号
R5 [内科学];
学科分类号
1002 ; 100201 ;
摘要
Purpose of review This review critically evaluates current knowledge of alpha-linolenic acid metabolism in adult humans based on the findings of studies using stable isotope tracers and on increased dietary alpha-linolenic acid intake. The relative roles of alpha-linolenic acid and of longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell structure and function are discussed together with an overview of the major metabolic fates of alpha-linolenic acid. The extent of partitioning towards beta-oxidation and carbon recycling in humans is described. The use and limitations of stable isotope tracers to estimate alpha-linolenic acid desaturation and elongation are discussed. A consensus view of the extent of alpha-linolenic acid conversion to longer-chain fatty acids in humans is presented. The extent to which increasing dietary alpha-linolenic acid intake alters the concentrations of longer-chain n-3 fatty acids is described. The biological and nutritional implications of these findings are discussed. Recent findings Conversion of alpha-linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid is limited in men and further transformation to docosahexaenoic acid is very low. A lower proportion of alpha-linolenic acid is used as a substrate for beta-oxidation in women compared with men, while the fractional conversion to longer-chain fatty acids is greater, possibly due to the regulatory effects of oestrogen. Summary Overall, alpha-linolenic acid appears to be a limited source of longer-chain n-3 fatty acids in man and so adequate intakes of preformed n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular docosahexaenoic acid, may be important for maintaining optimal tissue function. Capacity to upregulate a-linolenic acid transformation in women may be important for meeting the demands of the fetus and neonate for docosahexaenoic acid.
引用
收藏
页码:137 / 144
页数:8
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