Relation between stable isotope ratios in human red blood cells and hair: implications for using the nitrogen isotope ratio of hair as a biomarker of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid

Sarah H Nash; Alan R Kristal; Bert B Boyer; Irena B King; Jordan S Metzgar; Diane M O'BRIEN

doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.28482

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Relation between stable isotope ratios in human red blood cells and hair: implications for using the nitrogen isotope ratio of hair as a biomarker of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid

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Relation between stable isotope ratios in human red blood cells and hair: implications for using the nitrogen isotope ratio of hair as a biomarker of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid

Sarah H Nash, Alan R Kristal, Bert B Boyer, Irena B King, Jordan S Metzgar and Diane M O'BRIEN

The American journal of clinical nutrition, Vol.90(6), pp.1642-1647

2009

DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.28482

PMCID: PMC2777473

PMID: 19864410

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Abstract

Background: The nitrogen isotope ratio (expressed as δ15N) of red blood cells (RBCs) is highly correlated with the RBC long-chain ω-3 (n-3) fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in Yup'ik Eskimos. Because δ15N can also be measured in hair samples, it could provide a noninvasive, retrospective biomarker for EPA and DHA intakes. Objectives: We investigated the agreement between δ15N in hair and RBCs and then evaluated the relations between hair δ15N and RBC EPA and DHA. We also assessed the agreement in carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) between hair and RBCs, because δ13C has been proposed as a dietary biomarker in other populations. Design: We assessed relations between hair and RBC δ15N and δ13C in a community-based sample of 144 Yup'ik Eskimos and examined the correlations between δ15N and RBC EPA and DHA in a subset of these participants (n = 44). Results: We showed a 1:1 relation with good agreement between hair and RBC δ15N (r = 0.91) and δ13C (r = 0.87). Hair isotope ratios were greater than RBC ratios by 1.5‰ for δ15N and by 2.3‰ for δ13C. There were strong correlations between hair δ15N and RBC EPA and DHA (r = 0.83 and 0.84, respectively). Conclusions: These results support the use of hair δ15N values as a biomarker of EPA and DHA intakes. Because hair collection is noninvasive and the samples require no special processing, studies of EPA and DHA intakes in large populations could use biomarkers rather than self-reports to assess these fatty acids. © 2009 American Society for Nutrition.

Biological and medical sciences

Feeding. Feeding behavior

Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology

Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems

Details

Title: Subtitle: Relation between stable isotope ratios in human red blood cells and hair: implications for using the nitrogen isotope ratio of hair as a biomarker of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid
Creators: Sarah H Nash - Center for Alaska Native Health Research, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States
Alan R Kristal - Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
Bert B Boyer - Center for Alaska Native Health Research, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States
Irena B King - Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
Jordan S Metzgar - Center for Alaska Native Health Research, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States
Diane M O'BRIEN - Center for Alaska Native Health Research, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, United States
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The American journal of clinical nutrition, Vol.90(6), pp.1642-1647
DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.28482
PMID: 19864410
PMCID: PMC2777473
NLM abbreviation: Am J Clin Nutr
ISSN: 0002-9165
eISSN: 1938-3207
Publisher: American Society for Nutrition
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100000002, name: NIH, award: P20 RR16430, R01DK07442
Language: English
Date published: 2009
Academic Unit: Epidemiology; Center for Social Science Innovation
Record Identifier: 9984214787702771

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