The effects of dietary α-linolenic acid compared with docosahexaenoic acid on brain, retina, liver, and heart in the guinea pig

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare two different strategies to elevate brain, retina, liver, and heart docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in guinea pigs. First, we used an increasing dose of α-linolenic acid (ALA) relative to a constant linoleic acid (LA) intake, and second, we used two levels of dietary DHA provided in conjunction with dietary arachidonic acid (AA). The percentage DHA and AA of total phospholipids in retina, liver, and heart, and in the brain phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine was studied in female pigmented guinea pigs (3 wk old) fed one of five semisynthetic diets containing 10% (w/w) lipid for 12 wk. The LA content in the diets was constant (17% of total f..