Triacylglycerol-Rich Oils of Marine Origin are Optimal Nutrients for Induction of Polyunsaturated Docosahexaenoic Acid Ester of Hydroxy Linoleic Acid (13-DHAHLA) with Anti-Inflammatory Properties in Mice

Scope The docosahexaenoic acid ester of hydroxy linoleic acid (13-DHAHLA) is a bioactive lipid with anti-inflammatory properties from the family of fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFA). Methods and results To explore the biosynthesis of 13-DHAHLA from dietary oils, C57BL/6N mice are gavaged for 8 days with various corn oil/marine oil mixtures containing the same amount of DHA. Plasma levels of omega-3 FAHFAs are influenced by the lipid composition of the mixtures but do not reflect the changes in bioavailability of polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma. Triacylglycerol-bound DHA and linoleic acid serve as more effective precursors for 13-DHAHLA synthesis than DHA bound in phospholipids or wax esters. Both 13(S)- and 13(R)-DHAHLA inhibit antigen and PGE(2)-induced chemotaxis and degranulation of mast cells to a comparable extent and 13(S)-DHAHLA is identified as the predominant isomer in mouse adipose tissue. Conclusion Here, the optimal nutritional source of DHA is identified, which supports production of anti-inflammatory FAHFAs, as triacylglycerol-based marine oil and also reveals a possible role of triacylglycerols in the synthesis of FAHFA lipokines.