Characterization of glucose transporter-targeted lipid nanoparticles for enhancing n-3 PUFA utilization in slow-growing Korat chickens

The aim of this research was to investigate the synthesis of suitable carriers of nanoparticles for improving the utilization of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) source in chicken diets. Lipid nanoparticles were successfully prepared with two different n-3 oil sources, tuna and algal oils using hot and high-pressure homogenization methods. Four preparations were defined as follows: non-targeting lipid nanoparticles containing tuna oil (TO_NPs), non-targeting lipid nanoparticles containing algal oil (AO_NPs), targeting lipid nanoparticles containing tuna oil (TO_TNPs) and targeting lipid nanoparticles containing algal oil (AO_TNPs). A second study was conducted for the targeting procedure, the treatments as follows: Control, TO_NPs and TO_TNPs. Thirty-three slow-growing chickens were examined during the post-administration kinetic at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h. The physicochemical characteristics of lipid nanoparticles, storage stability and in vivo biodistribution were evaluated. The results showed that the particle diameters of TO_NPs and AO_NPs were 223.7 and 294.4 nm, whereas the particle diameters of TO_TNPs and AO_TNPs were 134.7 and 184.0 nm, respectively. The polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta-potential of nanoparticles showed a good distribution and stability in colloid dispersions, respectively. Moreover, the nanoparticles of the TNPs groups were less susceptible to lipid oxidation than that of the NPs groups during a storage at 4 °C. Biodistribution analysis based on Nile Red intensity indicated superior cellular uptake of TNPs. Fatty-acid profiling further confirmed this enhanced delivery, with TNPs increasing EPA and DHA deposition in breast muscle by approximately 26% and 35%, respectively, at 24 h post-administration compared with NPs. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted lipid-based nanoparticles in facilitating direct transport of fatty acids into skeletal muscle cells.