Comparison of docosahexaenoic acid uptake in murine cardiomyocyte culture and tissue: significance to physiologically relevant studies

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2015 Mar:94:49-54. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2014.11.004. Epub 2014 Nov 24.

Abstract

Long-chain n-3 (or omega 3) fatty acids, namely docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) have been attributed cardioprotective properties. In this study, we evaluated the incorporation of DHA into cardiomyocytes and the shift in the omega 3/omega 6 ratio after supplementation of primary cardiomyocyte culture. Results are compared with atrial tissue concentrations attained after prolonged feeding of rats. The major difference between in vitro vs. in vivo supplementation is the paradoxical accumulation of arachidonic acid in cultured cardiomyocyte. However, this increase does not give rise to a higher PGE2 production after cellular stimulation, as compared with controls, possibly because of the associated inhibition of sPLA2 by DHA. Notably, in vitro supplementations with DHA 10 to 25μM approximate in vivo pharmacological treatments.

Keywords: Arachidonic acid; Cardiomyocytes; Cardiovascular disease; Docosahexaenoic acid; Mass spectrometry; Phospholipids.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachidonic Acid / metabolism*
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / administration & dosage*
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / pharmacokinetics*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / cytology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Omega-6
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Arachidonic Acid