Figure 3

Dose-dependent intestinal gene expression and fatty acid beta oxidation. In a second animal experiment, intestinal gene expression analysis was used to confirm and biologically validate observations in a dose-dependent manner. Gene expression analysis was performed using qRT-PCR of small intestinal samples of individual wildtype mice that received the control diet (n = 9, white bars), EPA&DHA diet (n = 9, black bars), and intermediate levels of dietary EPA&DHA (n = 9, hatched bars). The triangle shows increasing dietary EPA&DHA content. Gene expression levels were normalized using calnexin and averaged per group; the mean expression level of the control group was arbitrarily set at 1. Bars represent mean ± standard error. Genes shown are a: Cpt1a, and b: Acacb. Functional fatty acid beta oxidation was used for biological validation (c). Intestinal tissue fatty acid beta oxidation (n = 7–9) is shown for mice that received control diet (white bars), EPA&DHA diet (black bars), and intermediate levels of dietary EPA-DHA (hatched bars). The triangle shows increasing dietary EPA&DHA content. Statistical significance was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tuckey's post hoc tests: * p < 0.05, *** p < 0.01. AU, arbitrary units.