Stearidonic and γ -linolenic acids in echium oil improves glucose disposal in insulin resistant monkeys

• Published in: Prostaglandins, leukotrienes and essential fatty acids Vol. 89; no. 1; pp. 39 - 45
• Main Authors: Kavanagh, K, Flynn, D.M, Jenkins, K.A, Wilson, M.D, Chilton, F.H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2013
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Animals; Diabetes; Echium - chemistry; Echium oil; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Erythrocytes - drug effects; Erythrocytes - metabolism; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - therapeutic use; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated - therapeutic use; Fish oil; Gamma-Linolenic acid; gamma-Linolenic Acid - therapeutic use; Glucose - metabolism; Haplorhini; Insulin Resistance - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - drug effects; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; Plant Oils - chemistry; Polyunsaturated fatty acids; Stearidonic acid; Gamma-Linolenic acid; Echium oil; Diabetes; Polyunsaturated fatty acids; Fish oil; Stearidonic acid
• ISSN: 0952-3278; 1532-2823
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2013.04.003

Abstract Echium oil (EO) contains stearidonic acid (18:4), a n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and gamma-linolenic acids (18:3), a n-6 PUFA that can be converted to long chain (LC)-PUFAs. We aimed to compare a safflower oil (SO)-enriched diet to EO- and fish oil (FO)-enriched diets on circulating and tissue PUFAs levels and glycemic, inflammatory, and cardiovascular health biomarkers in insulin resistant African green monkeys. In a Latin-square cross-over study, eight monkeys consumed matched diets for 6 weeks with 3-week washout periods. Monkeys consuming FO had significantly higher levels of n-3 LC-PUFAs and EO supplementation resulted in higher levels of circulating n-3 LC-PUFAs and a significant increase in dihomo-gamma linolenic acid (DGLA) in red blood cells and muscle. Glucose disposal was improved after EO consumption. These data suggest that PUFAs in EO supplementation have the capacity to alter circulating, RBC and muscle LC-PUFA levels and improve glucose tolerance in insulin-resistant monkeys.