Incorporation of Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Synthesis of their Metabolites in Muscle Tissue in Mice Fed with Flaxseed and Perilla-Enriched Diet

Abstract

Polyunsaturated fatty acids omega 3 and omega 6 are believed to have beneficial physiological effects on the human body. The present study aimed to evaluate the incorporation and synthesis of omega-3 fatty acid and their metabolites in muscle tissue in mice fed with a flaxseed and perilla-enriched diet. The animals were fed a diet supplemented with flaxseed and perilla meals for fifty-six days and control animals received a commercial diet. Mice were sacrificed on the 7th, 28th and 56th days and the muscle tissue was collected. The FA concentration was analyzed by gas chromatography. The levels of alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA) and their metabolites, Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) increased as a function of feeding length in the groups given the supplemented diet. LNA was incorporated into muscle tissue and conversion into Very Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (VLC-PUFA) was observed. The muscle tissue of animals fed with enriched diets presented a high sum of n-3 FA and high concentrations of LNA, EPA and DHA, as compared to mice fed commercial diet. The intake of flaxseed and perilla-meal enriched diets by mice may result in the deposition of LNA and its metabolites EPA and DHA into muscle tissue.