Studies on the biological function of naturally occurring phytanic acid

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K15364
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Animal production science
• Research Institution: University of Miyazaki
• Principal Investigator: Nakanishi Tomonori 宮崎大学, 農学部, 准教授 (20717889)
• Research Collaborator: Kawahara Satoshi ; Matsushita Yoichi ; Sugamoto Kazuhiro
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: フィタン酸 / 畜産物 / 免疫調節作用

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Among the eight stereoisomers of phytanic acid (PA), 3S, 7R, 11R- and 3R, 7R, 11R-isomers are naturally occurring and are present in milk and beef. In this study, we synthesized the diastereomeric mixture of 3S, 7R, 11R- and 3R, 7R, 11R-PA, and investigated its immunomodulatory effects, in order to elucidate novel biological functions of naturally occurring PA. Results indicated that naturally occurring PA reduced in vitro production of cytokines such as interferon-γ. This finding suggests that naturally occurring PA is a functional fatty acid, and has the potential for amelioration of immunological diseases.

Free Research Field

畜産食品科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

牛乳や牛肉などの畜産物はフィタン酸の天然の摂取源であり、フィタン酸異性体のうち3RS, 7R, 11R-体を含んでいる。フィタン酸は免疫調節作用などの生理活性を有する機能性脂質として注目を集めているが、一方で、その生理活性が3RS, 7R, 11R-体によって発揮されているのかは定かでなかった。そこで本研究では、天然型フィタン酸に焦点を絞った機能性評価を行い、3RS, 7R, 11R-体自身が免疫調節作用を有することを明らかにした。