Thermogenesis associated to the intake of diet non-supplemented or supplemented with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich fat, determined in rats receiving the same quantity of metabolizable energy

• Published in: Annals of nutrition and metabolism 2006-01, Vol.50 (3), p.184-192
• Main Authors: Sanz Sampelayo, M.R, Fernandez Navarro, J.R, Hermoso, R, Gil Extremera, F, Rodriguez Osorio, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - metabolism; animal growth; Animals; Bioenergetics; Biological and medical sciences; Body Composition; body weight; Diet; dietary fat; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated - administration & dosage; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated - metabolism; Dietary Supplements; Energy balance; Energy Intake - physiology; energy metabolism; Energy Metabolism - drug effects; Energy Metabolism - physiology; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - administration & dosage; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - metabolism; Fish oils; free fatty acids; health promotion; heat production; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Metabolism; Metabolites; Nutrition; omega-3 fatty acids; Original Paper; Oxidation; Polyunsaturated fatty acids; protein balance; protein requirement; proteins; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Rodents; thermic effect of food; Thermogenesis - drug effects; Thermogenesis - physiology; Weaning
• ISSN: 0250-6807; 1421-9697
• DOI: 10.1159/000090739

The beneficial effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are well known, but their consumption in western countries is chronically insufficient, and so it is recommended that diets should be supplemented with a fat rich in these fatty acids. However, the effect of such diets on the energy expenditure remains a controversial question. Precise data concerning the effect of using under the same metabolizable energy intake, a diet non-supplemented or supplemented with a fat rich in n-3 PUFA are not available. This type of information was obtained using rats at weaning fed a diet supplemented or non-supplemented with 10% of fish oil. Between the 30th and 60th day after starting the experiment, the energy and protein balance was established by means of the comparative slaughter method. The blood levels of different metabolites were also determined. Although total thermogenesis did not vary between the two groups, consumption of the fish oil diet led to a lower level of thermogenesis associated with the oxidation of protein, and a higher one of that associated with the oxidation of fat. We conclude that the thermic effect of feeding is a combination of independent processes. Due to their specific metabolism, n-3 PUFA may be considered essential compounds to maintain the energy balance.