The migration of dietary epoxy fatty acid isomers in the body

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K17795
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Fukushima University
• Principal Investigator: Yoshinaga Kazuaki 福島大学, 食農学類, 准教授 (40724802)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: エポキシ脂肪酸 / 安定同位体 / オレイン酸 / 不飽和脂肪酸 / 酸化 / 体内動態 / β酸化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Epoxy fatty acids (EFAs) are stable final products of the decomposition of unsaturated fatty acid hydroperoxides, and have been reported to have toxic effects. However, the details of metabolism of the EFAs are unclear. In this study, we investigated the migration of dietary EFAs in mice. First, we synthesized stable isotope-labeled EFAs (cis-9,10-epoxy-C18:0 and trans-9,10-epoxy-C18:0). After oral administration of EFAs to mice, we analyzed the EFAs using mass spectrometry. As a result, the EFAs were less accumulated in tissues and organs than oleic acid. Furthermore, the EFAs were beta-oxidized faster than oleic acid. These results suggested that EFAs are more catabolized than unsaturated fatty acid.

Free Research Field

油化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果により、エポキシ脂肪酸の体内動態を明らかにすることができた。エポキシ脂肪酸は、植物油や油脂調理食品など様々な食品に含まれており、我々の食生活の身近に存在している。そのため、本研究によって得られたエポキシ脂肪酸の基礎的知見は、ヒトの安心・安全な食生活に大きく貢献する成果といえる。