Diets diet rich in stearidonic acid negatively impact visceral adipose mass (121.1)
Dietary marine-based n-3 fatty acids have been implicated to have beneficial effects on insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The objective of the present study was to determine if consumption of stearidonic acid, from a terrestrial plant-based (Echium oil) n-3 fatty acid, may impact diet-induced obesity and glucose homeostasis in mice. B6 mice were fed a low-fat diet (LF, 10% kcal total fat) or high-fat diet (HF,60% kcal total fat) containing 20% of total fat content of either fish oil (FO), Echium oil (EO), or no supplement (Control, C) for 12 weeks. Body mass and daily weight gain were ~50% greater in HF than in LF mice (P < 0.001), but no differences were observed within the groups. Although food intake was not different between the groups, energy intake was greater (+38%) in HF than LF mice. EO-fed mice exhibited a lower fat pad/body weight ratio when compared to control mice. Pancreas weight and pancreas/body weight ratio was lower in the HF-EO mice when compared to HF-FO (P < 0.05). As expected, plasma glucose and insulin were increased in HF mice when compared to LF (P < 0.05); however, no differences within the LF or HF groups were observed. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests showed impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, respectively, in HF mice when compared to LF mice, but no oil-specific effects. Hence, diets rich in stearidonic acid appear to impact tissue energy distribution by decreasing visceral adipose mass.