Applying stable carbon isotopic analysis at the natural abundance level to determine the origin of docosahexaenoic acid in the brain of the fat-1 mouse.

A key factor limiting the study of the origin and metabolism of brain fatty acids is the lack of cost-efficient methods available to trace fatty acids. Here, through the application of compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA), a novel, cost-efficient method, we successfully differentiated between brain DHA originating directly from dietary omega (n)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and brain DHA biochemically synthesized to determine the origin of brain DHA in fat-1 mice. Fat-1 mice and their wild-type littermates were either weaned onto n-6 PUFA rich, n-3 PUFA deficient diets or diets rich in both n-3 and n-6 PUFA. Isotopic analysis of fatty acid methyl esters from brain and liver tissue was conducted via gas chromatography- isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Our data demonstrates that in the presence of n-3 and n-6 PUFA, fat-1 mice obtain their brain DHA solely from n-3 PUFA sources. This study reflects the first application of CSIA to a complex multivariate model to determine the origin of brain fatty acids.