| Title: | Associations Between Circulating Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Photoreceptor Measurement |
| Journal: | Translational Vision Science & Technology |
| Published: | 21 May 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42165643/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1167/tvst.15.5.15 |
| URL: | https://tvst.arvojournals.org/arvo/content_public/journal/tvst/938757/i2164-2591-15-5-15_1779356222.65547.pdf |
Publication 19968
WARNING: the interactive features of this website use CSS3, which your browser does not support. To use the full features of this website, please update your browser.
Abstract
Purpose: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are enriched in the retina and may play essential roles in photoreceptor microstructure. This study aimed to investigate associations between circulating omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid-related measures and photoreceptor inner and outer segment thickness assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the UK Biobank.</p>
Methods: In this cross-sectional association study, circulating omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid-related measures were quantified using a nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics platform. Photoreceptor inner segment (IS) and outer segment (OS) thicknesses were measured by spectral-domain OCT obtained during the same baseline assessment period. β coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using linear regression models adjusted for covariates. Restricted cubic spline analyses were performed to assess dose-response relationships, and subgroup analyses examined potential interaction effects.</p>
Results: Higher circulating levels of omega-3 fatty acids were associated with a thinner IS layer (β = -0.059; 95% CI, -0.096 to -0.022; P = 0.002), whereas higher omega-6 fatty acid levels were linked to a thinner OS layer (β = -0.229; 95% CI, -0.338 to -0.121; P < 0.001). These relationships were largely linear within the physiological range. Subgroup analyses indicated that ethnicity modified the association with OS thickness.</p>
Conclusions: Circulating omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid-related measures were differentially associated with photoreceptor inner and OS thickness measured by OCT, with omega-3-related indices generally associated with thinner ISs and thicker OSs and omega-6-related indices showing opposite patterns.</p>
Translational Relevance: Maintaining a favorable PUFAs balance may be beneficial for photoreceptor microstructure.</p>
12 Keywords
- Adult
- Aged
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Fatty Acids, Omega-3
- Fatty Acids, Omega-6
- Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate
- Tomography, Optical Coherence
8 Authors
- Jianqi Chen
- Huanjie Liu
- Yangyang Li
- Yulin Zhuo
- Zhidong Li
- Yehong Zhuo
- Yingting Zhu
- Shu Tu
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 95829 | Application of Artificial Intelligence for Screening of Risk Factors and Prediction of Disease Progression for Glaucoma and Myopia |
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health