BIOMARKERS OF HABITUAL FISH INTAKE IN ADIPOSE-TISSUE

The association between habitual fish and marine n-3 polyunsaturated f atty acid (PUFA) intake, and the fatty acid composition of subcutaneou s fat was studied in 24 healthy young volunteers. Habitual dietary int akes were estimated from three 7-d weighed food records made at months 0, 5, and 8 of the 8-mo study period. The adipose tissue fatty acid c omposition of each individual was determined by gas chromatography as the mean of two gluteal biopsies, obtained in the first and the last m onth of the study. The daily consumption of fish and of marine n-3 PUF As in absolute terms (g/d) was significantly associated with adipose t issue docosahexaenoic acid content (DHA; r = 0.55 and 0.58, respective ly, P < 0.001), but not with eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic aci d contents. Our study indicates that the adipose tissue DHA content is the biomarker of choice for the assessment of long-term habitual diet ary intakes of fish and marine n-3 PUFAs.