Elucidation of the metabolism control of the biosynthesis docosahexaenoic acid from alpha-linolenic acid in perinatal and weaning period

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24580171
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Food science
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: KIMURA Fumiko 東北大学, (連合)農学研究科(研究院), 助教 (50321980)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): MIYAZAWA Teruo 東北大学, 大学院農学研究科, 教授 (20157639)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): NAKAI Kunihiko 東北大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 教授 (00291336)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ドコサヘキサエン酸 / α-リノレン酸 / 胎盤 / ヒト / ラット

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Alpha-linolenic acid is a precursor of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and included in perilla seed, canola (rapeseed) and soybean oils. DHA is very important fatty acid for fetuses, neonates and infants growing rapidly in a short time, and for pregnant and breastfeeding women. However, a few human studies have indicated that α-linolenic acid is inefficient as the source for DHA. In this study, our object is the elucidation of the importance of α-linolenic acid especially as the precursor for DHA during the perinatal period. We studied whether placental tissue can be candidate material for investigation of the fatty acid status during perinatal period, and the influence of the differences in fish consumption levels on placental FA composition. On the other hand, we tested supplementation of perilla seed oils in mildly n-3-PUFA-deficient rats and demonstrate the effectiveness of ingesting perilla oil in the weaning period for improving mild n-3 PUFA deficiency.

Free Research Field

食品科学