Conversion of α-linolenic acid to longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in human adults

The principal biological role of α-linolenic acid (αLNA; 18:3n-3) appears to be as a precursor for the synthesis of longer chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Increasing αLNA intake for a period of weeks to months results in an increase in the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) in plasma lipids, in erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and in breast milk but there is no increase in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), which may even decline in some pools at high αLNA intakes. Stable isotope tracer studies indicate that conversion of αLNA to EPA occurs but is limited in men and that further transformation to DHA is very low. The fractional conversion of αLNA to the longer chain n-3 PUFA is greater in women which may be due to a regulatory effect of oestrogen. A lower proportion of αLNA is used for β-oxidation in women compared with men. Overall, αLNA appears to be a limited source of longer chain n-3 PUFA in humans. Thus, adequate intakes of preformed long chain n-3 PUFA, in particular DHA, may be important for maintaining optimal tissue function. Capacity to up-regulate αLNA conversion in women may be important for meeting the demands of the fetus and neonate for DHA. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids / humans / α-linolenic acid / metabolism Abbreviations: αLNA: α-linolenic acid; CE: cholesteryl ester; DHA: docosahexaenoic acid; DPAn-3: docosapentaenoic acid; EE2: 17α-ethynyloestradiol; EPA: eicosapentaenoic acid; MUFA: monounsaturated fatty acid; NEFA: non-esterified fatty acid; PC: phosphatidylcholine; PL: phospholipid; PUFA: polyunsaturated fatty acid; SFA: saturated fatty acid; TAG: triacylglycerol.