TitleVitamin E deficiency decreases long-chain PUFA in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsLebold, KM, Jump, DB, Miller, GW, Wright, CL, Labut, EM, Barton, CL, Tanguay, RL, Traber, M
JournalThe Journal of nutrition
Volume141
Issue12
Pagination2113-8
Date Published2011 Dec
KeywordsZebrafish
Abstract

α-Tocopherol is a required, lipid-soluble antioxidant that protects PUFA. We hypothesized that α-tocopherol deficiency in zebrafish compromises PUFA status. Zebrafish were fed for 1 y either an α-tocopherol-sufficient (E+; 500 mg α-tocopherol/kg) or -deficient (E-; 1.1 mg α-tocopherol/kg) diet containing α-linolenic (ALA) and linoleic (LA) acids but without arachidonic acid (ARA), EPA, or DHA. Vitamin E deficiency in zebrafish decreased by ~20% (n-6) (P < 0.05) and (n-3) (P < 0.05) PUFA and increased the (n-6):(n-3) PUFA ratio (P < 0.05). In E- compared to E+ females, long chain-PUFA status was impaired, as assessed by a ~60% lower DHA:ALA ratio (P < 0.05) and a ~50% lower ARA:LA ratio (P < 0.05). fads2 (P < 0.05) and elovl2 (P < 0.05) mRNA expression was doubled in E- compared to E+ fish. Thus, inadequate vitamin E status led to a depletion of PUFA that may be a result of either or both increased lipid peroxidation and an impaired ability to synthesize sufficient PUFA, especially (n-3) PUFA.

DOI10.3945/jn.111.144279