Mechanisms by which long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids enhance bone

人们普遍认为营养在生物学中起着重要的作用。 这对于建立强壮的骨骼和预防骨折是正确的。 一种叫做二十二碳六烯酸（简称DHA）的欧米茄脂肪通常从脂肪丰富的鱼类中获得，与强壮的骨骼有关。 从以前的研究中，DHA似乎通过减少骨质流失而不是增加更多的骨质来起作用。然而，科学家需要了解身体如何使用这种欧米茄脂肪来增强骨骼。 为了探索DHA改变骨骼的方式，人们给各种动物喂食少量DHA，持续约3个月。 在研究结束时，X射线技术用于创建骨图像并估计结合密度。 其他技术用于使用显微镜显示骨骼中哪些蛋白质发生了变化。 此外，从腿部静脉采集少量血液样本，并测量DHA加上激素和蛋白质，这些激素和蛋白质被输送到骨骼中发挥作用。 为了证明DHA是通过一个“锁和钥匙”系统起作用的，将通过喂食与受体结合并阻止DHA作用的药物来阻断骨骼中结合DHA的受体蛋白。 这项研究是新颖的，因为还没有研究人员发现DHA如何在骨骼中起作用。 作为一项研究培训计划，许多高素质的年轻专业人员将在五年内使用尖端技术接受培训。 这种培训将使进一步的学位研究或职业生涯中的工业，学术界或政府需要类似的技术知识。

It is commonly accepted that nutrition plays an important role in biology. This is true for establishing strong bones and preventing fractures. An omega fat, called docosahexanoic acid (or DHA for short), is commonly obtained from fatty fish and is linked to stronger bones. From previous studies DHA seems to work by reducing bone loss more so than adding more bone. However, scientists need to understand how the body uses this omega fat to enhance bone. To explore the ways that DHA alters bone, small amounts are fed to various animal species for about 3 months. At the end of the study, x-ray techniques are used to create images of bone and to estimate bond density. Other techniques are used to show which proteins are altered in bone using microscopes. Additionally, small blood samples are taken from a leg vein and measured for DHA plus hormones and proteins that are delivered to bone where they act. To prove that DHA works through a "lock and key" system, receptor proteins that bind DHA in bone will be blocked by feeding drugs that bind to the receptor and prevent DHA's action. This research is novel since no researcher has yet discovered how DHA works in bone. As a research training program, many highly qualified young professionals will be trained over five years using sophisticated technology. Such training will enable either further degree studies or careers in industry, academia or government where knowledge of similar technology is required.