Elevated plasma phospholipid n-3 docosapentaenoic acid concentrations during hibernation

Area of Science:

• * Comparative physiology
• * Nutritional biochemistry
• * Metabolic regulation

Background:

• * Hibernation shares metabolic similarities with sleep and consciousness.
• * n-3 fatty acids are implicated in human sleep and consciousness.
• * Understanding hibernation's metabolic triggers is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To investigate plasma phospholipid fatty acid profiles in hibernating and active states.
• * To compare these profiles in brown bears and garden dormice with different hibernation patterns.
• * To assess the impact of dietary linoleic acid (LA) on fatty acid metabolism.

Main Methods:

• * Analysis of plasma phospholipid fatty acid profiles in free-ranging brown bears and captive garden dormice.
• * Controlled dietary manipulation of linoleic acid (LA) in dormice.
• * Comparison of fatty acid composition during hibernation and summer activity.

Main Results:

• * Consistent hibernation-associated changes in bears and dormice include decreased alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
• * A marked increase in n-3 docosapentaenoic acid and a minor increase in docosahexaenoic acid were observed during hibernation.
• * Elevated activity of elongase ELOVL2 was noted, alongside an unexpected association between high LA supply and increased n-3 fatty acid transformation.

Conclusions:

• * Shared fatty acid patterns in contrasting hibernating species suggest a link to the hibernation phenotype.
• * The findings indicate a potential role for specific n-3 fatty acids and related metabolic pathways in hibernation.
• * Further research is warranted to explore these connections with consciousness and overall metabolism.