Changes in fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids in response to varying amounts of dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in humans

Empirical equations were used to predict the changes in fatty composition of plasma phospholipids in response to variations in ingested levels of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in humans (Biochem. Biophys.Acta 1180,147,1992). The predicted values were compared to values observed in two trials conducted in human volunteers. In Study I, 3 groups were fed 9g fish oil(FO)/day and 0, 8 or 16g safflower oil(SO)/day for 8 weeks. In Study II, 2 groups were fed 6 or 15g FO/day and 16g SO/day for 4 weeks. The predicted and observed values for n-3 and n-6 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) as percent of total plasma phospholipid HUFA are presented in the table below. N-3 and N-6 HUFA in Plasma Phospholipids Study I Study II Treatment (g FO/SO) 9/16 9/8 9/0 6/16 15/16 n-3(%total HUFA) Observed 62.0 62.0 62.0 53.59 61.45 Predicted 16.89 24.27 30.95 14.77 21.58 n-6(%total HUFA) Observed 38.06 37.20 37.20 46.41 38.55 Predicted 77.82 50.02 34.0 69.88 50.54 The results indicated that these equations do not predict the changes in fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipds in humans ingesting n-3 and n-6 PUFA at the levels used in our studies.