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Positive association between plasma antioxidant capacity and n−3 PUFA in red blood cells from women

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Lipids

Abstract

PUFA are susceptible to oxidation. However, the chain-reaction of lipid peroxidation can be interrupted by antioxidants. Whether an increased concentration of PUFA in the body leads to decreased antioxidant capacity and/or increased consumption of antioxidants is not known. To elucidate the relationship between plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC), the concentration of antioxidant vitamins, and the proportion of PUFA in red blood cells (RBC), plasma TAC was measured by a Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay in blood samples from 99 Icelandic women. Concentrations of tocopherols and carotenoids in the plasma were determined by HPLC, and the FA composition of RBC total lipids was analyzed by GC. Plasma TAC and the plasma concentration of α-tocopherol correlated positively with the proportion of total n−3 PUFA, 20∶5n−3, and 22∶6n−3 in RBC, whereas the plasma lycopene concentration correlated negatively with the proportion of total n−3 PUFA and 20∶5n−3. On the other hand, plasma TAC correlated negatively with the proportion of n−6 PUFA in RBC. Plasma TAC also correlated positively with the plasma concentration of α-tocopherol, alcohol consumption, and age. Both the plasma concentration of α-tocopherol and age correlated positively with the proportion of n−3 PUFA in RBC; however, n−3 PUFA contributed independently to the correlation with plasma TAC. Because the proportion of n−3 PUFA in RBC reflects the consumption of n−3 PUFA, these results suggest that dietary n−3 PUFA do not have adverse effects on plasma TAC or the plasma concentration of most antioxidant vitamins.

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Abbreviations

AA:

arachidonic acid

ABTS+ :

2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline) radical cation

PI:

peroxidizability index

RBC:

red blood cells

TAC:

total antioxidant capacity

TIBC:

total iron-binding capacity

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Iceland

    G. V. Skuladottir & A. L. Petursdottir

  2. The Icelandic Cancer Society, Reykjavik, Iceland

    L. Tryggvadottir, H. M. Ogmundsdottir & J. E. Eyfjord

  3. Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Landspitali-University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland

    J. J. Jonsson

  4. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Vatnsmyrarvegur 16, IS-101, Reykjavik, Iceland

    A. Y. Thorlaksdottir, J. E. Eyfjord, J. J. Jonsson & I. hardardottir

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  1. A. Y. Thorlaksdottir
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  2. G. V. Skuladottir
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  3. A. L. Petursdottir
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  4. L. Tryggvadottir
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  5. H. M. Ogmundsdottir
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  6. J. E. Eyfjord
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  8. I. hardardottir
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Correspondence to I. hardardottir.

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Thorlaksdottir, A.Y., Skuladottir, G.V., Petursdottir, A.L. et al. Positive association between plasma antioxidant capacity and n−3 PUFA in red blood cells from women. Lipids 41, 119–125 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-006-5079-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-006-5079-5

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