Plasma levels of EPA and DHA after ingestion of a single dose of EPA and DHA ethyl esters

authored by

Henrieke Marie-Luise Schmieta, Theresa Greupner, Inga Schneider, Sonja Wrobel, Vanessa Christa, Laura Kutzner, Andreas Hahn, William S Harris, Nils Helge Schebb, Jan Philipp Schuchardt

Abstract

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3 PUFA), specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n3), are essential for maintaining health. To better understand their biology, it is important to define their bioavailability. The aim of this cross-over study was to investigate and compare the acute effects on plasma EPA and DHA levels after single doses of EPA oil (99% pure) and DHA (97% pure) ethyl esters. Twelve men aged 20-40 years with a body-mass-index of 20-27 kg/m

2 and low fish consumption were recruited. Several measures (e.g., 4-week run-in period, standardized diet, and blood collection protocols) were taken to reduce the inter-individual variability of plasma fatty acids levels. Using a cross-over design, the subjects received 2.2 g of EPA in the first test period and 2.3 g of DHA in the second. The test periods were separated by 2 weeks. Blood samples were taken before dosing and after 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. The mean ± SE maximum concentrations for EPA were higher than for DHA (115 ± 11 μg/mL vs. 86 ± 12 μg/mL; p = 0.05). The mean ± SE incremented area under the plasma concentration curve over 72 h for EPA (2461 ± 279 μg/mL) was 2.4 times higher (p < 0.001) than that for DHA (1021 ± 170 μg/mL). The mean ± SE half-life was for EPA and DHA was 45 ± 8 and 66 ± 12 h. Our results indicate that EPA administration in single doses leads to higher circulating plasma levels of EPA compared to an effect of an equivalent dose of DHA on DHA plasma levels.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Food and One Health
Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Nutrition Physiology and Human Nutrition Section

External Organisation(s)

The University of Wuppertal
Fatty Acid Research Institute (FARI)

Type

Article

Journal

LIPIDS

ISSN

0024-4201

Publication date

19.09.2024

Publication status

E-pub ahead of print

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Organic Chemistry

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1002/lipd.12417 (Access: Open)