Fig. 3

Proposed model of effects of n-3 supplementation on the ECS in blood, liver and adipose tissue in peripartum dairy cows. n-3 supplementation reduces plasma AEA through reduced AA, this may result in reduction of CB1 receptor gene transcription levels in WBCs and liver. In AT, the increased MLXIPL and SREBP gene transcription may lead to increased lipogenesis. Increased LIPE and MGLL could result in the release of more FAs from the AT. These FAs can move to the liver and be converted to diacylglycerols (DAGs) by long-chain fatty acyl-CoA (LCFA-coA). In the liver, DAGs are converted to 2-AG by diacylglycerol lipase alpha (DAGLA). DAGs may activate through IkB kinase (IKKB) signalling pathway that can induce nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (NFKB1) gene transcription. The decrease in IL6 transcription levels may possibly lead to reduced inflammation and high regeneration of the liver. The green colour marks factors that were increased in the present study, while the Red marks factors that have been decreased. Genes are represented in italics. AEA: Anandamide; 2-AG: 2-Arachidonoylglycerol; CB1: Cannabinoid receptor 1; GLUT4: Glucose transporter type 4; SREBP: Sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor; MLXIPL: Carbohydrate response element binding protein; PEA: N-palmitoylethanolamine; TG: Triglycerides; FASN: Fatty acid synthase; PLIN: Perilipin; DAG: Diacylglycerol; LIPE: Lipase, hormone-sensitive; MAG: Monoacylglycerol; MGLL: Monoglyceride lipase; FABP4: Fatty acid binding protein 4; FFAs: Free fatty acids; LCFA-COA: long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) esterification with coenzyme A (CoA); DAGLA: Diacylglycerol lipase alpha; IKKβ: IκB kinase β; NF-κB1: Nuclear factor NF-kappa-B p105 subunit; IL6: Interleukin 6