Regular Article
Effects of conjugated linoleic acids and docosahexaenoic acid on rat liver and reproductive tissue fatty acids, prostaglandins and matrix metalloproteinase production

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Abstract

Long chain n-6 and n-3 fatty acids play important roles in labor and delivery. These effects may be mediated by prostaglandin (PG) synthesis and by regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), both of which play roles in uterine contraction, cervical ripening and rupture of fetal membranes. The effects of altering dietary n-6:n-3 long chain fatty acid ratios, and the addition of dietary conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on fatty acid composition of reproductive tissues, PG synthesis in liver and reproductive tissue and serum MMP levels were examined in pregnant rats. Modified AIN-96G diets with n-6:n-3 ratios of 7:1 and 34:1 with and without added 1.1% (by weight) conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and/or 0.3% (by weight) DHA were fed through day 20 of gestation. Reproductive tissues readily incorporated both DHA and CLA. CLA significantly (P<0.05) depressed PGF2 αsynthesis in placenta, uterus and liver by 50% when the n-6:n-3 ratio was 7:1 and by 66% at 34:1 ratio. Significant differences (P<0.05) in PGE2synthesis in uterus and liver were seen only between groups fed the high ratio of n-6:n-3 without CLA, and the low ratio with CLA. Addition of CLA to DHA containing diets depressed PGF2 αby one-third in uterus and liver (P<0.05). Serum MMP-9 and active MMP-2 were suppressed (P<0.05) by addition of either CLA or DHA.

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      Citation Excerpt :

      These molecules serve as structural components of membranes, acting as ligands that regulate transcription factors, and they provide precursors to other molecules that modulate cell metabolism (e. g., in the neural cell during fetal maturation; Innis, 2005). Conjugated linoleic acids, which are predominantly formed in the rumen from EFA and also in the mammary tissue of dairy cows (Bauman et al., 2000), can also act as ligands for transcription factors, modulate the synthesis of lipids (Moya-Camarena et al., 1999; Harris et al., 2001), and influence metabolic processes in dairy cows (Baumgard et al., 2000; Odens et al., 2007; Hötger et al., 2013). The cow's supply of these fatty acids has changed as a result of replacing pasture and fresh grass with diets based on corn silage in modern dairy cow nutrition.

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    Correspondence to: Mary Harris, PhD, RD, Dept of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. Phone: 970-491-7462; Fax: 970-491-7252; Email: [email protected] This work was supported by the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station as part of Regional Project NC-167.

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