Mechanisms by which long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids enhance bone

人们普遍认为，营养在生物学中扮演着重要的角色。这对于强健骨骼和预防骨折是正确的。欧米茄脂肪，称为二十二碳六酸(或简称DHA)，通常从脂肪丰富的鱼类中获得，与更强壮的骨骼有关。从以前的研究来看，DHA的作用似乎是通过减少骨丢失而不是添加更多的骨骼来实现的。然而，科学家们需要了解身体如何利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，将少量的DHA喂给各种动物约3个月。在研究结束时，使用x射线技术来创建骨骼图像并估计粘结密度。其他技术也被用来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，测量DHA以及荷尔蒙和蛋白质，这些激素和蛋白质被输送到它们活动的地方的骨骼。为了证明DHA是通过“锁和钥匙”系统起作用的，在骨骼中结合DHA的受体蛋白将通过喂食与受体结合的药物而被阻断，从而阻止DHA的作用。这项研究是新颖的，因为还没有研究人员发现DHA是如何在骨骼中发挥作用的。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进行培训。这样的培训将使他们能够在需要类似技术知识的行业、学术界或政府部门继续攻读学位或从事职业生涯。

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.