We demonstrated, in experimental animal models, that a high-fat maternal diet during pregnancy and weaning resulted in abnormal vascular function in association with altered vascular essential fatty acid composition in the adult offspring (see publications). The uniqueness of the research studies was that the defects were apparent despite after weaning the offspring being reared on a normal diet.

The above studies were carried out in major university research centers and hospitals in London, United Kingdom: a) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Center for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, Guy’s and King’s and St’ Thomas School of Medicine, St Thoma’s Hospital, b) Institute of Brain Chemistry and of Human Nutrition (IBCHN), and c) London Metropolitan University.

The study was focused on the risks involved in developing disorders of the brain. Premature babies are born with deficiencies in essential fatty acids and antioxidant enzymes, while milk (either breastmilk or formula) had no effect on the levels of very long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids of the infants at the expected date of delivery (see publications).

The above studies were carried out in major research centers and hospitals, the IBCHN (Institute of Brain Chemistry & Human Nutrition), the London Metropolitan University, the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction at Imperial College, the Department of Pediatrics at Homerton Hospital, and Royal London Hospital, United Kingdom, and in collaboration with a large and well-known worldwide infant nutrition company.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the substantially high levels of ARA (arachidonic acid, a long-chain omega-6 fatty acid) in the healthy human placentae is accumulated during pregnancy or is an inherited characteristic of the placental lipids? (See publications):

• The healthy human placenta depends on ARA omega-6 fatty acid, from early in gestation (8-14 weeks of pregnancy), important for its development, i.e., organogenesis and vascularisation
• Whilst, the term placenta (38-41 weeks of gestation) presents a different omega-6 fatty acid composition, more consistent with a profile favoring optimal blood flow to nourish the fetal spurt (increased proportions of DGLA, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, the precursor of the vasorelaxant and anticoagulant prostaglandin Ε1)

The above studies were carried out in major university research centers and hospitals, a) the IBCHN (Institute of Brain Chemistry & Human Nutrition), b) the London Metropolitan University, c) the Reproductive Medicine, Bart’s Health Trust, London, United Kingdom, and d) the Department of Biomedicine, University of Berger, Bergen, Norway.

We investigated the independent effects of gestational diabetes and prematurity on human placental fatty acids, with a specific focus on the very long chain omega-6 & -3 fatty acids, ARA (arachidonic acid) & DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), respectively.

• Gestational diabetes increased ARA & DHA in placental membranes, suggesting increased uptake and esterification mainly into phosphoglycerides, rather than being transferred to the fetus.
• On the other hand, preterm delivery reduced DHA content and increased AA/DHA ratio in placental membranes, suggesting a reduced bioavailability of DHA to the fetus.

In the presence of pregnancy complications, maternal diabetes or preterm birth, our data on placental fatty acids could explain the reduced levels of ARA & DHA shown in the newborn babies. In gestational diabetes, it is plausible that the uteroplacental blood flow is insufficient with serious consequences for the development of the infant.

methodology

Diabetes diagnosis: As part of the antenatal care, due to the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes in that part of the borough of East London, we modified the existing assessment protocol of the disease, and women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or with history of gestational diabetes were also included:

All the women were assessed for the presence of the disease at 16 weeks of gestation. Those considered at high risk of gestational diabetes were screened with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 28 weeks of gestation.

The research was carried out in the IBCHN (Institute of Brain Chemistry & Human Nutrition), the London Metropolitan University, and the Reproductive Medicine, Bart’s Health Trust, London, United Kingdom.

We investigated whether patients with Crohn’s disease have a different membrane fatty acid composition from those with ulcerative colitis.

• The significantly reduced levels of the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially ARA (arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid), in the outer and inner leaflets of cell membranes, may suggest that those with ulcerative colitis had lower dietary intake, impaired accretion and/or higher fatty acid turnover compared to the patients with Crohn’s disease.
• There are differences in the essential omega-3 & -6 fatty acids between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease patients. And, ΑΑ & DHA could be used as biochemical aids in disease diagnosis.

The research was carried out in the IBCHN (Institute of Brain Chemistry & Human Nutrition), the London Metropolitan University, and the University Department of Paediatric Gastrenterology, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom.

We determined the total fat and fatty acids of raw and cooked fish as well as the nutritional health implications of cooking method. We showed that frying reduces certain important for health long-chain omega-3 fatty acids more than other cooking methods.

The study was carried out in the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition (IBCHN), London Metropolitan University, and the Mother & Child Foundation, London, United Kingdom.

We investigated the essential omega-6 & -3 fatty acid composition of breast milk in 9 countries, including our findings from Karen refugee mothers from Thailand, and the data showed that:

• The long-chain derivatives of the parent omega-6 linoleic acid are twice (2x) the content of the corresponding derivatives of the parent omega-3 α-linolenic acid
• breast milk omega-3 but not omega-6 fatty acid content increased progressively over a year of follow-up in Karen refugee mothers from Thailand

The study was carried out in major university research centers and hospitals worldwide: a) Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Campus, London, b) Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition (IBCHN), United Kingdom, c) London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom, d) Department of Dietetics, Nutrition and Food, Monash University, Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia, e) Department of Health, Deaking University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia, f) Reproductive Medicine, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom, g) Department of General Pathology and Physiopathology, Central University of Venezuela, Venezuela, h) Center for Reproductive Medicine, ST’ Bartholomew’s, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom, and i) Quest NutraPharma, Dubai , United Arab Emirates.

We focused on the importance of essential fatty acids in human prenatal development. And we showed that:

• ARA (arachidonic acid, a long-chain polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid) is dominant in vascular, immune, placental and neural structures
• The human placenta regulates the flow of fatty acids to the fetus and the research data strongly supports the importance of balanced levels of ARA and DHA (long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid) in a ratio targeting the brain (1:1 or 2:1) during the critical periods of preconception and pregnancy. Babies born prematurely can experience serious health problems, including long-term intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The study was carried out in major university research centers and hospitals worldwide: a) Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Campus, London, b) Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition (IBCHN), United Kingdom, c) London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom, d) Department of Dietetics, Nutrition and Food, Monash University, Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia, e) Department of Health, Deaking University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia, f) Reproductive Medicine, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom, g) Department of General Pathology and Physiopathology, Central University of Venezuela, Venezuela, h) Center for Reproductive Medicine, ST’ Bartholomew’s, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom, and i) Quest NutraPharma, Dubai , United Arab Emirates.

We investigated the effects of early time-restricted feeding (eTRF) on the glycemic profile of humans. More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of eTRF on blood sugar and/or insulin, and insulin resistance in prediabetic or obese individuals.

The study was carried out in Life Science & Health Science departments, Faculty of Science, European University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.

A nutritional database created by the IBCHN (Institute of Brain Chemistry & Human Nutrition) research laboratory in London, United Kingdom, to assess the nutrients we get from food:

• Contributing to the research program «maternal nutrition and pregnancy outcome», as at that time as still, there was a lack of knowledge about the essential fatty acid content of foods, and the importance of polyunsaturated derivatives, ARA (arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid), and their eicosanoid derivatives (regulatory hormones for cell function) for health.

We participated in a) the management, processing and evaluation of complex data of European programs in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Medical School of Athens and, b) the preventive control research program entitled “Obesity-Hypercholesterolemia-Anemia Control” at various primary schools in the West Borough of Athens under the committee of the Town Hall and Private Diagnostic Centers of the West Borough of Athens, Greece.

D.Bitsanis “The Unique Structural Property of Membrane Docosahexaenoic acid” at the House of Commons 2001, where we discussed and informed the members of parliament about the importance and future goals of the research in Clinical Medicine and Nutrition.