Fish Oil Research

Fish Oils May Help to Activate Genes To Help Fight Diabetes

New research utilizing fish oil supplements have shown that the active ingredients in fish oil, mainly the polyunsaturated fatty acids, may activate certain genes that regulate two important functions; glucose homeostasis and fat cell differentiation.

The new study from the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry suggests that a fish oil supplement can activate the transcription factor called PPARv. This has the effect of increasing regulation of adipocytes that help to maintain glucose homeostasis.

According to the researchers at the National Taiwan University, they demonstrated that when the subject mouse was supplied with fish oil the adipogenic genes and glucose metabolism were elevated. This specifically demonstrated that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and particularly the EPA and DHA, can regulate the glucose homeostasis with its interaction with PPARv.

Important Role of a Special Anti-Diabetes Gene

Another transcription factor, called Peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is particularly helpful in regulating adipocyte (fat cell) differentiation, and has been shown to play a important role in glucose homeostasis. Peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ is a target for many anti-diabetic drugs as activation promotes glucose dispersion.

Activation of Peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ happens via the binding of specific ligand molecules, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) which have a high
attraction for binding with PPARγ.

Prior research reveals that polyunsaturated fatty acids are able to regulate PPARγ activity, implying that supplementing with a fish oil supplement with high levels of DHA increases PPARγ-responsive gene expression.

Hopeful Results Using Fish Oil Supplement

The researchers noted that test subjects fed with rosiglitazone had a appreciably lower food intake, but did not have a notable effect on fat pad weight or body weight. However the test subjects supplemented with fish oil did not drastically decrease feed intake, but did appreciably decreased body weight and fat pad weight.

Utilizing a fish oil supplement revealed an increase LPL and FAT, but not the FAS or SREBP-1c; but, microscopic evaluation of skeletal muscle did not reveal any lipid accumulation.

A very promising part of the research showed that transgenic subjects fed a fish oil supplement had increased expression of glucose uptake genes and adipogenic genes which lead to a reduction in plasma glucose concentration.

PUFA as Natural Regulator Of Glucose

Via PPARγ activation, the researchers suggest that the polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA, can potentially perform as a natural regulator of glucose uptake.

Source: Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry Published online  

A fish oil supplement, such as Fundamental Omega 3 contains high levels of the important polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA.