Omega-3 supplementation increases 13C-EPA but not 13C-DHA kinetics in healthy older adults after 13C-DHA single dose intake: A secondary analysis
Abstract
Objective To investigated whether post supplementation, 13 C-DHA is less incorporated into plasma phospholipids (PL) and triglycerides (TG) compared to pre-supplementation considering that these are the two most prominent delivery pools of DHA to tissues. Methodology Plasma samples from twenty healthy men and women, matched for age and body mass index, were analyzed. Participants received a single oral dose of 40 mg 13 C-DHA in 2 kinetic studies: 1 prior to and 1 during the last month of supplementation with 3.2 g/day of ω3 PUFA. 13 C enrichment analyses were performed on plasma samples at baseline, 4, 6, 24 hours, 7 days, and 28 days post-tracer intake. Lipids were extracted, and PL and TG were separated by solid-phase extraction. Quantification of carbon-13 eicosapentaenoic acid ( 13 C-EPA) and 13 C-DHA was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results The area under the curve (AUC) for 13 C-DHA in PL and TG did not show statistically significant differences before and during supplementation. However, the AUC for 13 C-EPA in PL and TG increased by 45% and 48% with supplementation, respectively. This finding was unexpected, as our previous analysis indicated a 60% reduction in plasma 13 C-DHA levels during supplementation, accompanied by increased β-oxidation. Additionally, there were statistically significant time × gender interactions for 13 C-EPA and 13 C-DHA in plasma PL ( P < 0.0001), with women exhibiting 90% and 139% higher levels of 13 C-EPA and 13 C-DHA over time, respectively. No time × gender interactions were observed for 13 C-EPA and 13 C-DHA in plasma TG , although independent time and gender effects were present. Furthermore, there was a time × body mass index interaction for 13 C-EPA in PL only. Conclusion This secondary analysis suggests that after supplementation with ω3 PUFA, DHA metabolism is stable while EPA metabolism may be slowed due to factors such as DHA inhibition of EPA elongation and/or reduced plasma clearance, which may indicate the tissues needs for DHA are being met.
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BibTeX
@article{loukil2026omega3,
title = {{Omega-3 supplementation increases 13C-EPA but not 13C-DHA kinetics in healthy older adults after 13C-DHA single dose intake: A secondary analysis}},
author = {Insaf Loukil and David Ku and Annick Vachon and Adam Metherel and Mélanie Plourde},
journal = {Nutrition},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.nut.2025.112803},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05790349v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Omega-3 supplementation increases 13C-EPA but not 13C-DHA kinetics in healthy older adults after 13C-DHA single dose intake: A secondary analysis
AU - Insaf Loukil
AU - David Ku
AU - Annick Vachon
AU - Adam Metherel
AU - Mélanie Plourde
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/09
JO - Nutrition
DO - 10.1016/j.nut.2025.112803
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05790349v1
AB - Objective To investigated whether post supplementation, 13 C-DHA is less incorporated into plasma phospholipids (PL) and triglycerides (TG) compared to pre-supplementation considering that these are the two most prominent delivery pools of DHA to tissues. Methodology Plasma samples from twenty healthy men and women, matched for age and body mass index, were analyzed. Participants received a single oral dose of 40 mg 13 C-DHA in 2 kinetic studies: 1 prior to and 1 during the last month of supplementation with 3.2 g/day of ω3 PUFA. 13 C enrichment analyses were performed on plasma samples at baseline, 4, 6, 24 hours, 7 days, and 28 days post-tracer intake. Lipids were extracted, and PL and TG were separated by solid-phase extraction. Quantification of carbon-13 eicosapentaenoic acid ( 13 C-EPA) and 13 C-DHA was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results The area under the curve (AUC) for 13 C-DHA in PL and TG did not show statistically significant differences before and during supplementation. However, the AUC for 13 C-EPA in PL and TG increased by 45% and 48% with supplementation, respectively. This finding was unexpected, as our previous analysis indicated a 60% reduction in plasma 13 C-DHA levels during supplementation, accompanied by increased β-oxidation. Additionally, there were statistically significant time × gender interactions for 13 C-EPA and 13 C-DHA in plasma PL ( P < 0.0001), with women exhibiting 90% and 139% higher levels of 13 C-EPA and 13 C-DHA over time, respectively. No time × gender interactions were observed for 13 C-EPA and 13 C-DHA in plasma TG , although independent time and gender effects were present. Furthermore, there was a time × body mass index interaction for 13 C-EPA in PL only. Conclusion This secondary analysis suggests that after supplementation with ω3 PUFA, DHA metabolism is stable while EPA metabolism may be slowed due to factors such as DHA inhibition of EPA elongation and/or reduced plasma clearance, which may indicate the tissues needs for DHA are being met.
SN - 0899-9007
ER -