Docosahexaenoic Acid

Absorption

Like other omega-3 fatty acids, DHA is hydrolyzed from the intestines and delivered through the lymphatic circulation. Plasma DHA concentrations increase in a dose-dependent and saturable manner.

Toxicity

Oral LD50 value in rats is 7,060 mg/kg and 3,450 mg/kg in mouse. Adverse effects include anemia, cough, CNS depression, drowsiness, headache, heart damage, lassitude (weakness, exhaustion), liver damage, narcosis, reproductive effects and teratogenic effects.

Description

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) found in fish and algal oils. It comprises approximately 40% of total brain PUFAs and is abundant in grey matter and retinal membranes. DHA typically represents 0.52-7.5% of human total plasma fatty acids. It is produced from α-linolenic acid (ALA; Item Nos. 90210 | 21910) via a series of desaturase- and elongase-catalyzed reactions, resulting in a docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; ) intermediate, which is elongated, desaturated, and β-oxidized to produce DHA. DHA can be liberated from cellular membranes by phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) and converted to numerous oxylipins, including specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), which are produced by lipoxygenases and include D-series protectins and resolvins, as well as maresins, that regulate host defense and the resolution of inflammation. DHA has roles in several physiological and pathological processes, including neural development, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and inflammation.

DHA MaxSpec^® standard is a quantitative grade standard of DHA that has been prepared specifically for mass spectrometry and related applications where quantitative reproducibility is required. The solution has been prepared gravimetrically and is supplied in a deactivated glass ampule sealed under argon. The concentration was verified by comparison to an independently prepared calibration standard. The verified concentration is provided on the certificate of analysis. This DHA MaxSpec^® standard is guaranteed to meet identity, purity, stability, and concentration specifications and is provided with a batch-specific certificate of analysis. Ongoing stability testing is performed to ensure the concentration remains accurate throughout the shelf life of the product. Note: The amount of solution added to the vial is in excess of the listed amount. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately measure volumes for preparation of calibration standards. Follow recommended storage and handling conditions to maintain product quality.

Description

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid found in cold-water fish and linked with reducing the risks of heart and other diseases in humans. It’s even being added to infant formula.

Description

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a member of a group of natural compounds known to many as omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 (or ω-3) designation means that there is a double bond at the third carbon atom from the far end of the hydrocarbon chain. All six double bonds in DHA have the cis (Z) configuration, in contrast to fatty acids with trans double bonds.
DHA exists widely in the human body, particularly in the brain, skin, and retina. It is therefore not considered to be an “essential” fatty acid, such as α-linolenic acid (ALA) or linoleic acid, which the body cannot synthesize. Nevertheless, many dieticians recommend consuming external sources of DHA such as fish, algae, and dietary supplements. Supplementation is especially desirable for vegetarians and vegans.
The first recommended use of DHA as a supplement was for pregnant and lactating women. Recently, Wei Yang and collaborators at three medical research institutions in Beijing sought ways to overcome brain defects in newborn mice caused by Zika virus infections. They found that treating Zika-infected mice with DHA shortly after birth caused the mice to develop larger, heavier brains than control mice. The authors concluded that “our data might provide some potential therapeutic clues for [Zika] infections in pregnant women.”

Chemical properties

Clear Colourless Liquid

Occurrence

Ordinary types of cooked salmon contain 500 – 1500 mg DHA and 300–1000 mg EPA per 100 grams.(USDA) Additional top fish sources of DHA are: tuna, bluefish, mackerel, swordfish, anchovies, herring, sardines, and caviar.
The discovery of algae - based DHA
In the early 1980s, NASA sponsored scientific research in search of a plant-based food source that could generate oxygen and nutrition on long-duration space flights. The researchers discovered that certain species of marine algae produced rich nutrients. This research led to the development of an algae-based, vegetable-like oil that contains two essential polyunsaturated fatty acids: DHA and ARA (Arachidonic acid).
Use as a food additive
DHA is widely used as a food supplement. It was first used primarily in infant formulas. In 2004, the US Food and Drug Administration endorsed qualified health claims for DHA , and by 2007 DHA - fortified dairy items (milk, yogurt, cooking oil) started to appear in grocery stores.
DHA is believed to be helpful to people with a history of heart disease, for premature infants, and to support healthy brain development especially in young children along with supporting retinal development. Some manufactured DHA is a vegetarian product extracted from algae, and it competes on the market with fish oil that contains DHA and other omega-3's such as EPA. Both fish oil and DHA are odorless and tasteless after processing as a food additive.
Studies of vegetarians and vegans
Vegetarian diets typically contain limited amounts of DHA, and vegan diets typically contain no DHA. Vegetarians and vegans have substantially lower levels of DHA in their bodies, and short-term supplemental ALA has been shown to increase EPA, but not DHA. However, supplemental preformed DHA, available in algae-derived oils or capsules, has been shown to increase DHA levels. While there is little evidence of adverse health or cognitive effects due to DHA deficiency in adult vegetarians or vegans, fetal and breast milk levels remain a concern.
DHA and EPA in fish oils
Fish oil is widely sold in gelatin capsules containing a mixture of omega-3 fatty acids including EPA and smaller quantities of DHA. One study found fish oil higher in DHA than EPA lowered inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and IL-1β, associated with neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. They note the brain normally contains DHA, but not EPA, though both DHA and EPA plasma concentrations increased significantly for participants.

The Uses of Docosahexaenoic Acid

Docosahexaenoic acid is found in fish oils in nature. It is also commercially manufactured from microalgae; Crypthecodinium cohnii and Schizochytrium.

The Uses of Docosahexaenoic Acid

Omega-3 fatty acid found in marine fish oils and in many phospholipids. Major structural component of excitable membranes of the retina and brain; synthesized in the liver from a-linolenic acid. Nutritional supplement.

The Uses of Docosahexaenoic Acid

Nutritional supplement.

Indications

Used as a high-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) oral supplement.

Background

A mixture of fish oil and primrose oil, doconexent is used as a high-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplement. DHA is a 22 carbon chain with 6 cis double bonds with anti-inflammatory effects. It can be biosythesized from alpha-linolenic acid or commercially manufactured from microalgae. It is an omega-3 fatty acid and primary structural component of the human brain, cerebral cortex, skin, and retina thus plays an important role in their development and function. The amino-phospholipid DHA is found at a high concentration across several brain subcellular fractions, including nerve terminals, microsomes, synaptic vesicles, and synaptosomal plasma membranes .

What are the applications of Application

Docosa-4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z-hexaenoic Acid (22:6, n-3) is an anti-inflammatory agent

Definition

ChEBI: A docosahexaenoic acid having six cis-double bonds at positions 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 and 19.

General Description

An omega-3 fatty acid essential for normal brain growth and

function, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays an important role as a signaling factor in cells for both anti- and pro-inflammatory processes. Levels of docosahexaenoic acid as well as other fatty acids are analyzed by GC/MS or LC-MS/MS methods to monitor patients undergoing diet therapy for mitochondrial or peroxisomal disorders. This Certified Spiking Solution^? is suitable for use as starting material in the

preparation of linearity standards, calibrators, or controls in mass spectrometry-based DHA testing applications such as assessment of cardiovascular disease risk and fatty acid deficiency, and detection and quantification of DHA in nutraceuticals and dietary supplements.

Biological Activity

Endogenous omega-3 fatty acid. Acts as a selective retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonist that displays no activity at RAR, thyroid hormone receptor or the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Activates all three RXR isoforms. Also shown to inhibit A β 1-42 fibrillation and toxicity in vitro .

Biochem/physiol Actions

Docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid with 22 carbons and six double bonds, the first double bond occuring at position three from the methyl terminus (22:6 n-3). DHA is a component of lipid membranes and the myelin sheath. DHA also serves as a precursor for signaling molecules such as prostaglandins and eicosanoids.

Pharmacokinetics

DHA in the central nervous system is found in the phospholipid bilayers where it modulates the physical environment and increase the free volume within the membrane bilayer. It influences the G-protein coupled receptor activity and affects transmembrane transport and cell interaction with the exterior world. It is also reported to promote apoptosis, neuronal differentiation and ion channel activity. Like other polyunsaturated fatty acids, DHA acts as a ligand at PPARs that plays an anti-inflammatory effect and regulate inflammatory gene expression and NFκB activation. DHA also gives rise to resolvins and related compounds (e.g., protectins) through pathways involving cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes to resolve the inflammatory responses.

Metabolism

DHA can be metabolized into DHA-derived specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), DHA epoxides, electrophilic oxo-derivatives (EFOX) of DHA, neuroprostanes, ethanolamines, acylglycerols, docosahexaenoyl amides of amino acids or neurotransmitters, and branched DHA esters of hydroxy fatty acids, among others. It is converted to 17-hydroperoxy-DHA derivatives via COX-2 and 15-LOX and 5-LOX activity. These derivatives are further converted into D-series resolvins and protectins with potent anti-inflammatory potential and potent neuroprotective effect . DHA may also be metabolized to 19,20-epoxydocosapentaenoic acids (EDPs) and isomers via CYP2C9 activity. Epoxy metabolites are reported to mediate anti-tumor activity by inhibiting angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis.

storage

Store at -20°C

Purification Methods

Its solubility in CHCl3 is 5%. It has been purified from fish oil by GLC using Ar as mobile phase and EGA as stationary phase with an ionisation detector [UV: Stoffel & Ahrens J Lipid Res 1 139 1959], and via the ester by evaporative "molecular" distillation using a 'continuous molecular still' at 10-4 mm with the highest temperature being 110o and a total contact time with the hot surface being 60sec [Farmer & van den Heuvel J Chem Soc 427 1938]. The methyl ester has b 208-211o/2mm, d4 0.9398, 20 1.5035. nD With Br2 it forms a dodecabromide m ca
240o(dec). Also, the acid was converted to the methyl ester and purified through a three-stage molecular still [as described by Sutton Chem Ind (London) 11383 1953] at 96o, and the rate was adjusted so that one-third of the material was removed each cycle of three distillations. The distillate (numbered 4) (13g) was dissolved in EtOH (100mL containing 8g of KOH) at -70o and set aside for 4hours at 30o with occasional shaking under a vacuum. Water (100mL) was added and the solution was extracted with pentane, washed with HCl, dried (MgSO4), filtered and evaporated to give a clear oil (11.5g) m -44.5o to -44.1o. In the catalytic hydrogenation of the oil six mols of H2 are absorbed and docosanoic acid (behenic acid) is produced with m 79.0-79.3o undepressed with an authentic sample (see docosanoic acid below) [Whitcutt Biochem J 67 60 1957]. [Beilstein 2 IV 1812.]