High-dose ferric citrate supplementation attenuates omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis via downregulating delta 5 and 6 desaturases in rats with high-fat diet-induced obesity

Food Funct. 2021 Nov 29;12(23):11819-11828. doi: 10.1039/d1fo02680a.

Abstract

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of an iron deficiency; however, a synergistic relationship between iron and lipid homeostasis was also observed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pharmacological doses of iron supplementation on omega 3 (n-3) and omega 6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed a normal diet or a 50% high-fat diet (HFD) without or with pharmacological doses of ferric citrate (0.25, 1, or 2 g ferric iron per kg diet) for 12 weeks, and erythrocyte profiles of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs were quantitated. Ferric citrate supplementation showed dose-related effects on liver inflammation, liver iron accumulation, and increasing circulating levels of iron, erythrocyte degradation biomarkers LVV-hemorphin-7, malondialdehyde (MDA), and insulin. Obese rats supplemented with 2 g ferric iron per kg diet also had decreased levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and total n-3 PUFAs compared to rats fed a normal diet or HFD alone. A western blotting analysis revealed that iron-mediated downregulation of n-3 PUFA-converting enzymes (Δ5 and Δ6 desaturases) only occurred at high dosages (≥1 g ferric iron per kg diet). A Spearman correlation analysis showed that total liver iron and serum LVV-hemorphin-7 and MDA were negatively correlated with n-3 PUFAs and their converting enzymes (Δ5 and Δ6 desaturases) (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, obese rats that received high-dose ferric citrate supplementation (>1 g of ferric iron per kg diet) exhibited decreased n-3 PUFA levels via downregulation of expressions of Δ5 and Δ6 desaturase enzymes.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase / metabolism*
  • Diet, High-Fat / adverse effects
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / metabolism*
  • Ferric Compounds* / administration & dosage
  • Ferric Compounds* / pharmacology
  • Linoleoyl-CoA Desaturase / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Ferric Compounds
  • ferric citrate
  • Linoleoyl-CoA Desaturase