The essential fatty acid deficient chicken as a model for cystic fibrosis

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 44; no. 6; pp. 816 - 824
• Main Authors: Craig-Schmidt, MC, Faircloth, SA, Teer, PA, Weete, JD, Wu, CY
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Elsevier Inc 01.12.1986; American Society for Clinical Nutrition
• Subjects: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha - biosynthesis; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; chickens; Chickens - growth & development; Chickens - metabolism; Cystic fibrosis; Cystic Fibrosis - metabolism; Cystic Fibrosis - pathology; Dinoprost; Disease Models, Animal; eicosanoid; essential fatty acid deficiency; Fatty Acids - blood; Fatty Acids, Essential - deficiency; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; lung; Lung - metabolism; Lung - pathology; Medical sciences; Other diseases. Semiology; prostacyclin; prostaglandin; Prostaglandins E - biosynthesis; Prostaglandins F - biosynthesis; thromboxane; Thromboxane B2 - biosynthesis; thromboxane; chickens; lung; eicosanoid; prostaglandin; prostacyclin; Cystic fibrosis; essential fatty acid deficiency; Human; Animal model; Vertebrata; Mucoviscidosis; Respiratory disease; Deficiency; Unsaturated fatty acid; Digestive diseases; Chicken; Aves; Child
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/44.6.816

The essential fatty acid deficient (EFAD) chicken was evaluated as a model for cystic fibrosis (CF). Three semipurified diets—(I) 1% hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO), (II) 10% soybean oil + 1% HCO, and (III) 11% HCO—were fed to chickens from hatching to 5, 8, or 11 wk. Groups I and III exhibited poor weight gain and abnormal serum fatty acid patterns characteristic of EFAD. Production of prostaglandin F2α, thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α, and prostaglandin E in lung was significantly reduced at 5, 8, and 11 wk in both EFAD groups. Histopathologic examination revealed increased peribronchiolitis in group I compared with II. Incidence of pulmonary lesions in group III was intermediate. These data support the theory that essential fatty acids are necessary to maintain proper lung function. In this respect, the chicken is a good model for studying the relationship between EFAD and pulmonary disease in CF patients.