Fatty Acid Status and Its Relationship to Cognitive Decline and Homocysteine Levels in the Elderly

Nutrients

Marília Baierle⁵  Patrໜia H. Vencato⁵  Luiza Oldenburg⁵  Suelen Bordignon¹  Murilo Zibetti¹  Clarissa M. Trentini¹  Marta M. M. F. Duarte⁴  Juliana C. Veit³  Sabrina Somacal³  Tatiana Emanuelli³  Tilman Grune⁶  Nicolle Breusing² 

[1] Institute of Psychology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 90035003, RS, Brazil; E-Mails:;Department of Applied Nutritional Science and Dietetics, Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart 70593, Germany; E-Mail:;Department of Alimentary Technology and Science, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria 97105900, RS, Brazil; E-Mails:;Department of Health Sciences, Lutheran University of Brazil, Santa Maria 97020001, RS, Brazil; E-Mail:;Laboratory of Toxicology (LATOX), Department of Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90610000, RS, Brazil; E-Mails:;Department of Nutritional Toxicology, Institute of Nutrition, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena 07743, Germany; E-Mail:

关键词: aging;    fatty acids;    n-3 PUFA;    cognitive decline;    homocysteine;    inflammation;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu6093624

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially the n-3 series, are known for their protective effects. Considering that cardiovascular diseases are risk factors for dementia, which is common at aging, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether fatty acid status in the elderly was associated with cognitive function and cardiovascular risk. Forty-five elderly persons (age ≥60 years) were included and divided into two groups based on their Mini-Mental Status Examination score adjusted for educational level: the case group (n = 12) and the control group (n = 33). Serum fatty acid composition, homocysteine (Hcy), hs-CRP, lipid profile and different cognitive domains were evaluated. The case group, characterized by reduced cognitive performance, showed higher levels of 14:0, 16:0, 16:1n-7 fatty acids and lower levels of 22:0, 24:1n-9, 22:6n-3 (DHA) and total PUFAs compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The n-6/n-3 ratio was elevated in both study groups, whereas alterations in Hcy, hs-CRP and lipid profile were observed in the case group. Cognitive function was positively associated with the 24:1n-9, DHA and total n-3 PUFAs, while 14:0, 16:0 and 16:1n-7 fatty acids, the n-6/n-3 ratio and Hcy were inversely associated. In addition, n-3 PUFAs, particularly DHA, were inversely associated with cardiovascular risk, assessed by Hcy levels in the elderly.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.