Metabolic effect of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in different doses and formulations (ethyl- and glyceryl-) in hypercholesterolemic rats

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplemented in pharmaceuticals and functional foods is commonly re-esterified as ethyl esters (DHA-EE) or alternatively as triacylglycerol (DHAr-TAG). The aim of this study was to investigate the modulation of plasmatic lipid profiles of two doses of DHA-EE and DHA-rTAG. During 8 weeks, Wistar rats were supplemented with high and low doses of DHA-EE and DHA-rTAG integrated in a hypercholesterolemic diet. DHA supplementation reduced total weight gain, adiposity index, HDL-cholesterol and glucose plasmatic concentration associated to the dose administered. T-CHO and TAG seem to be reduced more efficiently by high doses of DHA-rTAG, while adipose tissue distribution and reduction of FFA are improved with DNA supplementation, regardless of the dose and form of supplementation. Therefore, metabolic effects of DHA supplementation may be determined not only by the dosage administered, but also by the ester form in which this molecule is presented. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.