Impact of n-3 Docosapentaenoic Acid Supplementation on Fatty Acid Composition in Rat Differs Depending upon Tissues and Is Influenced by the Presence of Dairy Lipids in the Diet

The n-3 docosapentaenoic acid (n-3DPA) could be a novel source of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) with beneficial physiological effects. Following the supplementation of 0.5% purified n-3DPA for 3 weeks from weaning, the n-3DPA content increased in half of the 18 studied tissues (from +50% to +110%, p<0.05) and mostly affected the spleen, lung, heart, liver and bone marrow. The n-3DPA was slightly converted into DHA (+20% in affected tissues, p<0.05) and mostly retroconverted into EPA (35-46% of n-3DPA intake in liver and kidney) showing an increased content of these LCPUFA in specific tissues. The partial incorporation of dairy lipids in the diet for 6 weeks increased overall n-3PUFA status, and brain DHA status. Furthermore, the n-3DPA supplementation and dairy lipids had an additive effect on the increase of n-3PUFA tissue contents. Moreover, n-3DPA supplementation decreased plasma cholesterol.