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Liposomes composed of partially hydrogenated egg phosphatidylcholines: fatty acid composition, thermal phase behavior and oxidative stability.

Partially hydrogenated egg phosphatidylcholines (PHEPC) represent a new class of raw materials for liposome-based drug products. PHEPC were manufactured from native egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC) to iodine values (IV) 40, 30, 20, 10, and 1. Hydrogenation resulted in a complete loss of arachidonic acid (20:4) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) in IV 40 EPC and a progressive conversion of linoleic (18:2) and oleic acid (18:1) to stearic acid (18:0) at higher degrees of hydrogenation (IV 30, 20, 10, 1). Hydrogenation lead to formation of trans-fatty acid isomers maximally 18.5 mol% in IV 20 EPC. Liposomes made from IV 20, IV 10 and IV 1 EPC had marked phase transitions between 20 and 60 degrees C. PHEPC showed increased resistance to oxidation as measured by oxygen uptake during 2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH) initiated accelerated oxidation. Various applications of these new materials in the manufacture of liposomes and liposome based drug products are discussed.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Platelet fatty acids and peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in an institutionalized elderly population.

The associations between platelet fatty acids and peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were studied in 78 institutionalized elderly individuals (27 men and 51 women), aged 67 to 100. Platelet fatty acids were assessed by gas chromatography, and peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were quantitated by immunophenotyping using flow cytometry. It was found that women had a higher number of total T-cells (CD3), T-helper (CD3+4+) cells, and B-cells (CD19). However, no gender differences were observed in the percentages of lymphocyte subsets. In elderly men, after adjusting for age and fatty acid intake, the platelet concentration of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was positively related to the percentage of CD3 and CD3+4+ bearing lymphocytes (rs = 0.59, P < 0.05; and rs = 0.55, P < 0.05, respectively), and the concentration of total saturated fatty acids was also positively associated with the percentage of B (CD19) cells (rs = 0.50, P < 0.05). However, similar relationships were not observed in elderly women. No significant associations were found between trans fatty acids and any of the lymphocyte subsets in the study population. These findings suggest that fatty acids may be related to immune function. Any effects may be important in the host immune defence, especially in elderly individuals.

Aged↗

Structure/effect studies of fatty acid isomers as skin penetration enhancers and skin irritants.

Comparisons were made of branched vs unbranched saturated fatty acids and cis vs trans unsaturated fatty acids as skin penetration enhancers and primary skin irritants. Skin penetration studies used naloxone base as the diffusant, propylene glycol as the vehicle, and human skin. Maximum naloxone flux was with C9-12-branched and unbranched fatty acids. For C5-14 fatty acids, branched and unbranched isomers had similar effects. One branched C18 fatty acid isomer (C16-branched isostearic acid) was more effective in enhancing skin penetration than a differently branched (C2-branched isostearic acid) or unbranched C18 isomer (stearic acid). There was no significant difference between cis and trans unsaturated C16-18 fatty acid isomers in their effects on naloxone flux, and all unsaturated fatty acids were more effective enhancers than the corresponding saturated isomers. Several of these fatty acid/propylene glycol vehicles were evaluated in a rabbit primary skin irritation test. Irritation indices were poorly correlated with the effectiveness of the vehicles in enhancing naloxone flux. It was possible to enhance naloxone skin penetration greatly with a vehicle with only minimal skin irritation potential.

Fatty Acids↗

Trans geometric isomers of EPA decrease LXRalpha-induced cellular triacylglycerol via suppression of SREBP-1c and PGC-1beta.

Dietary mono- or di-trans fatty acids with chain lengths of 18-22 increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases because they increase LDL cholesterol and decrease HDL cholesterol in the plasma. However, the effects of trans isomers of PUFAs on lipid metabolism remain unknown. Dietary PUFAs, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in marine oils, improve serum lipid profiles by suppressing liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha) activity in the liver. In this study, we compared the effects of trans geometric isomers of eicosapentaenoic acid (TEPA) on triacylglycerol synthesis induced by a synthetic LXRalpha agonist (T0901317) with the effects of EPA in HepG2 cells. TEPA significantly decreased the amount of cellular triacylglycerol and the expression of mRNAs encoding fatty acid synthase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase induced by T0901317 compared with EPA. However, there was no significant difference between the suppressive effect of TEPA or EPA on the expression of sterol-regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) induced by T0901317. We found that TEPA, but not EPA, decreased the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1beta (PGC-1beta), which is a coactivator of both LXRalpha and SREBP-1. These results suggest that the hypolipidemic effect of TEPA can be attributed to a decrease not only in SREBP-1 but also in PGC-1beta expression.

Base Sequence↗

Strain dependence of the metabolism of cis- and trans-isomers of 9-octadecenoic acid in perfused liver and cell-free preparation in rats.

Hepatic metabolism of cis- and trans-9-octadecenoic acid was compared in various strains of rats and under different nutritional states. In Wistar rats triacylglycerol secretion was consistently higher in livers perfused with the cis isomer than with the trans isomer, while the difference was considerably attenuated in Sprague-Dawley rats. The difference in the hepatic triacylglycerol secretion disappeared when rats were fasted for 2 days. The rate of oxidation of trans fatty acid to ketone bodies was remarkably much higher than the cis isomer in Wistar but not in Sprague-Dawley rats. After fasting, the difference in the ketone body production disappeared in Wistar rats, whereas the oxidation rate was rather lower in the trans isomer than in the cis isomer in Sprague-Dawley rats. In isolated mitochondria, ketogenesis from trans-9-octadecenoic acid was markedly lower than that from the cis counterpart, irrespective of the nutritional states or strains of rats, and correlated well with the substrate specificity of carnitine acyltransferase. The molar concentration of malonyl-CoA to cause 50% inhibition of ketogenesis, the rate of peroxisomal beta-oxidation and the activity of acyl-CoA oxidase were all comparable, irrespective of the substrate sources. The Km value for acyl-CoA oxidase to the trans-acyl-CoA was 2-times higher than that of the cis counterpart in both strains of rats. Thus, peroxisomal as well as mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation systems apparently discriminated between the geometrical differences of the fatty acid substrate.

Acyl-CoA Oxidase↗

[The substrate specificity of acyl-CoA synthetase from E. coli and the characterization of its purified preparation].

The substrate specificity of the acyl-CoA synthetase from E. coli was studied. The enzyme was purified by means of DEAE-Sephacel, hydroxyapatite, Sepharose 6B, and blue dextran-Sepharose 6B chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was 47,000 estimated by Sephadex G-200 column chromatography. 45,000 was determined as the molecular weight by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme was quite unstable, however, the high concentration of potassium phosphate increased its stability. The chaotropic ion decreased the activity of purified enzyme, and the addition of the antichaotropic ions restored the activity to the original level. The purified enzyme activated the fatty acids with chain length of 6 to 18 carbon atoms, which was similar to the observations for the acyl-CoA synthetase in the crude extracts of E. coli. The purified enzyme also activated trans fatty acids at the same conversion rates as the corresponding cis isomers. Throughout the purification procedure, decanoyl-CoA synthetase activity was observed in the fractions which contained oleoyl-CoA synthetase activity.

Coenzyme A Ligases↗

[Fatty acid levels in plasma phospholipids in the cord blood of Austrian and Hungarian newborn infants].

Fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids in venous cord blood of 13 Austrian and 13 Hungarian infants was determined by high resolution capillary gas liquid chromatography. Values of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid [13.69 (12.57, 14.30) versus 19.79 (11.74, 22.83), % weight/weight, median (first and third quartile), Austrian versus Hungarian] did not differ between the two groups. Values of alpha-linolenic acid were slightly higher in Hungarian than in Austrian infants, whereas docosahexaenoic acid values did not differ [3.75 (2.80, 4.05)] versus 4.11 (1.55, 5.19)]. Neither saturated, nor cis monounsaturated fatty acid values differed between the two groups. Values of trans isometric fatty acids were significantly higher in Hungarian than in Austrian infants [total: 0.81 (0.70, 1.10) versus 1.19 (0.92, 1.46) p < 0.01]. Analysis of fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids in venous cord blood of Austrian and Hungarian infants did not reveal major differences in the availability of essential and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Significantly higher contribution of trans isometric fatty acids to plasma phospholipids in Hungarian than in Austrian infants indicates higher dietary exposure of pregnant women to trans fatty acids in Hungary.

Austria↗

Gamma linolenic acid: an antiinflammatory omega-6 fatty acid.

Inflammation plays an important role in health and disease. Most of the chronic diseases of modern society, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, etc. have inflammatory component. At the same time, the link between diet and disease is also being recognized. Amongst dietary constituents, fat has gained most recognition in affecting health. Saturated and trans fatty acids have been implicated in obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer while polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) generally have a positive effect on health. The PUFAs of omega-3 and omega-6 series play a significant role in health and disease by generating potent modulatory molecules for inflammatory responses, including eicosanoids (prostaglandins, and leukotrienes), and cytokines (interleukins) and affecting the gene expression of various bioactive molecules. Gamma linolenic acid (GLA, all cis 6, 9, 12-Octadecatrienoic acid, C18:3, n-6), is produced in the body from linoleic acid (all cis 6,9-octadecadienoic acid), an essential fatty acid of omega-6 series by the enzyme delta-6-desaturase. Preformed GLA is present in trace amounts in green leafy vegetables and in nuts. The most significant source of GLA for infants is breast milk. GLA is further metabolized to dihomogamma linlenic acid (DGLA) which undergoes oxidative metabolism by cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases to produce anti-inflammatory eicosanoids (prostaglandins of series 1 and leukotrienes of series 3). GLA and its metabolites also affect expression of various genes where by regulating the levels of gene products including matrix proteins. These gene products play a significant role in immune functions and also in cell death (apoptosis). The present review will emphasize the role of GLA in modulating inflammatory response, and hence its potential applications as an anti-inflammatory nutrient or adjuvant.

Administration, Oral↗

Plasma cholesterol-lowering potential of edible-oil blends suitable for commercial use.

We tested semihardened blends of edible oils, suitable for commercial food manufacture, with a lower-than-conventional saturated fatty acid content, for their effects on plasma cholesterol. Twenty-six mildly hypercholesterolemic men took part in a double-blind crossover experiment in which two test blends were compared with two control dietary periods [which resembled the Australian fat intake: proportions of polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and saturated fatty acids (PMS) 0.4:0.9:1]. PMS in the test diets was approximately 0.8:1.3:1 and resulted in significantly lower LDL-cholesterol concentrations (reductions of less than or equal to 7.7%). HDL cholesterol and plasma triglyceride were unchanged. The trans fatty acid (mainly elaidic) content of the blends was 16%, raising its contribution to energy by 4% but without apparent effect on LDL and HDL concentrations. Provided the overall ratio of linoleic acid to palmitic acid in commercial edible-oil blends exceeds that in the prevailing national diet, partial hydrogenation will not negate the LDL-lowering potential.

Adult↗

The occurrence of trans-18:1 isomers in plasma lipids classes in humans.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of trans fatty acids (TFA) in plasma lipid classes and the relationship with dietary intake of TFA. DESIGN: After a 2 week baseline (habitual) diet, all subjects consumed a moderate fat (MF) diet for 3 weeks with the fat being derived mainly from margarine and the rest from lean beef, and then a very low fat (VLF) diet for 3 weeks with the TFA being derived only from the lean beef. Blood samples were collected 2 days prior to the end and also on the last day of each dietary period. SETTING: Deakin Institute of Human Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia. SUBJECTS: Ten free-living mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects aged 22-66 were recruited in Geelong. OUTCOME MEASURES: TFA intake was calculated from analyses of Australian margarines, butter, lean meat and animal fat. The TFA in plasma lipid fractions were separated by AgNO3 thin-layer chromatography and quantitated by capillary gas-liquid chromatography using internal standards. RESULTS: The phospholipid (PL) fraction contained more than 60% of the trans-18:1 isomers in the plasma lipids in all subjects. On the baseline diet, the predominant positional isomer of trans-18:1 in PL was delta11, whereas in the other lipid classes it was the delta9 isomer. The concentration of the delta9 isomer increased on the MF diet, particularly in the PL fraction, while the concentration of the delta11 isomer decreased in all fractions. On the VLF diet, the total TFA level decreased by approximately 50%, mainly due to decreases in the TFA isomers in the PL and TG fractions. Changes in plasma total and PL TFA, PL delta9, delta10 and delta11 were strongly correlated with dietary TFA intake (P < 0.0001). There were also significant association between dietary TFA intake and PL delta12 (P = 0.003), triacylglycerol delta9 (P=0.009), delta11 (P=0.0005), total triacylglycerol (P=0.023) and free fatty acid TFA (P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the measurement of trans-18:1 in plasma PL and TAG, and plasma total TFA could be used to estimate the intake of TFA.

Adult↗

Dietary n-6 and n-3 fatty acid balance and cardiovascular health.

Epidemiological and clinical studies have established that the n-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid (LA), and the n-3 fatty acids, linolenic acid (LNA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) collectively protect against coronary heart disease (CHD). LA is the major dietary fatty acid regulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C metabolism by downregulating LDL-C production and enhancing its clearance. Further, the available mass of LA is a critical factor determining the hyperlipemic effects of other dietary fat components, such as saturated and trans fatty acids, as well as cholesterol. By contrast, n-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA, are potent antiarryhthmic agents. EPA and DHA also improve vascular endothelial function and help lower blood pressure, platelet sensitivity, and the serum triglyceride level. The distinct functions of these two families make the balance between dietary n-6 and n-3 fatty acids an important consideration influencing cardiovascular health. Based on published literature describing practical dietary intakes, we suggest that consumption of ~6% en LA, 0.75% en LNA, and 0.25% en EPA + DHA represents adequate and achievable intakes for most healthy adults. This corresponds to an n-6/n-3 ratio of ~6:1. However, the absolute mass of essential fatty acids consumed, rather than their n-6/n-3 ratio, should be the first consideration when contemplating lifelong dietary habits affecting cardiovascular benefit from their intake.

Animals↗

Recent nutritional approaches to the prevention and therapy of cardiovascular disease.

Nutritional factors play an important role in the development and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, health care professionals may overlook, or even disregard, some of these factors for several reasons, including inadequate training and conflicting reports in the biomedical literature. This review provides a synopsis of more than two-dozen nutritional approaches to primary and secondary prevention and therapy of CVD. Favorable cardiovascular effects have been reported with the use of unsaturated fatty acids, vegetarian and semi-vegetarian diets, dietary fiber, plant sterols, alcoholic beverages, vitamins (niacin, E, C, B6, B12, folate), minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, selenium), conditionally-essential nutrients (coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, taurine) and botanical agents (garlic, hawthorn, gugulipid). In contrast, trans-fatty acids, oxysterols, homocysteinemia, carbohydrate intolerance, and excessive sodium chloride and iron have been associated with undesirable cardiovascular effects. A nutritional approach to CVD provides a pivotal adjuvant to traditional pharmaceutical and/or surgical interventions by maximizing the likelihood of success in decreasing CVD morbidity and mortality and minimizing the economic and social costs associated with this disease.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

Incorporation and metabolism of trans 20:5 in endothelial cells. Effect on prostacyclin synthesis.

To study the ability of long-chain trans fatty acids (FA) to be incorporated and metabolized into endothelial cells, bovine aortic endothelial cells were incubated with medium enriched eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) bound to albumin (M2) or one of its geometrical isomers: 20:5 5c,8c,11t,14c,17c (M3), 20:5 5c,8c,11c,14c,17t (M4), or 20:5 5c,8c,11t,14c,17t (M5). After 48 h of incubation, supernatant and cells were harvested and their lipids were analyzed, including prostacyclin synthesis. EPA and 22:5n-3 of endothelial cells incubated with M2 were, respectively, three and two times higher than in control cells (incubated in M1, without any fatty acid added), whereas 22:6n-3 increased only in the supernatant, suggesting its release after biosynthesis. However, 18:2n-6 and 22:4n-6 decreased (about 30%). Trans 20:5 isomers represented 4.7, 3.9, and 5.2% of total phospholipid FA in endothelial cells incubated with M3, M4, and M5, respectively. They were elongated into trans 22:5 and trans 24:5, as revealed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-Fourier transform infrared analysis. In cells incubated with M2, M3, M4, and M5, prostacyclin synthesis was inhibited by 49.0, 62.5, 60.5, and 72.0%, respectively. This effect may be due to less available arachidonic acid in the cells and to a competition between EPA isomers and AA at the level of cyclooxygenase pathway, as it was demonstrated that 20:5 delta17t was metabolized by this enzyme.

Animals↗

Effects of partially hydrogenated fish oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, and butter on serum lipoproteins and Lp[a] in men.

We have compared the effects of partially hydrogenated fish oil (PHFO-diet), partially hydrogenated soybean oil (PHSO-diet), and butterfat (butter-diet) on serum lipids and lipoprotein[a] in 31 young men. The three test margarines, which contributed 78% of total fat in the diets, were produced from 70% of butterfat, PHSO, or PHFO, each with 30% of soybean oil. Fat provided about 35% of energy, and trans fatty acids 0.9%, 8.5%, and 8.0% of energy in the butter-, the PHSO-, and the PHFO-diet, respectively. Dietary cholesterol was balanced by the addition of dried egg powder to the PHSO- and the butter-diet; thus all diets contained 420 mg dietary cholesterol per 10 MJ per day. The subjects consumed all three test diets for 19-21 days in a random order (crossover design). The serum levels of total and LDL-cholesterol were significantly elevated on the PHFO-diet (mean values 5.42 and 3.94 mmol/L, respectively) compared to the PHSO-diet (5.11 and 3.58 mmol/L, respectively) but not different from those on the butter-diet (5.32 and 3.81 mmol/L, respectively). LDL-cholesterol was significantly reduced on the PHSO-diet compared to the butter-diet. The level of HDL-cholesterol was significantly lower on the PHFO-diet (0.98 mmol/L) when compared to the butter-diet (1.05 mmol/L) and with border-line significance compared to the PHSO-diet (1.05 mmol/L). The ratio of LDL- to HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher on the PHFO-diet (4.20) when compared to both other test diets (3.85 and 3.65, respectively). No significant differences in triglyceride values were observed. Lp[a] increased and apoA-I decreased significantly after consumption of both the PHSO-diet and the PHFO-diet, compared to the butter-diet. In conclusion, our results indicate that consumption of PHFO may unfavorably affect lipid risk indicators for coronary heart disease at least to the same extent as butterfat. To what extent the observed effects are due to the content of monoene trans, diene trans, or to the long chain saturated fatty acids in PHFO remains to be elucidated.

Adult↗

Dietary fats, fatty acids and insulin resistance: short review of a multifaceted connection.

Insulin resistance is a growing worldwide phenomenon, which progressively develops over years, and finally, if unchecked, predisposes to cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus type 2. Insulin resistance is a generalized metabolic disorder characterized by inefficient insulin function in skeletal muscle, liver and adipocytes. There is growing evidence that an increased free fatty acid level, and more importantly, the relative amounts of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids contributing to it, plays an important role in the development of insulin resistance. In turn, this is a reflection of the composition of dietary fat. Ultimately both the dietary intake and plasma levels determine the fatty acid composition of cell membranes. Higher levels of membrane saturated fatty acids seem to greatly impair the action of insulin, whereas the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially of the omega-3 and -6 families, in contrast, improves insulin sensitivity. In vitro studies, however, have not always corroborated the clinical evidence. Possible roles played by the various saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the insulin-signaling pathway are discussed in light of recent evidence. Fatty acids have also been shown to alter gene expression in cells, in particular the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 gene, adding to this multifaceted connection. As man has moved over the centuries from a hunter-gatherer diet to greater intakes of saturated and trans-fatty acids, insulin resistance has appeared with its related pathology. Greater understanding of the role played by dietary fat and plasma fatty acids in pathogenesis of insulin resistance, will allow for more timely prevention and improved treatment in the future.

Dietary Fats↗

Phospholipids of Rhizobium contain nodE-determined highly unsaturated fatty acid moieties.

In Rhizobium leguminosarum the nodABC and nod-FEL operons are involved in the production of lipooligosaccharide signals, which mediate host specificity. A nodE-determined highly unsaturated C18:4 fatty acid (trans-2,trans-4,trans-6,cis-11-octadecatetraenoic acid) is essential for the ability of the signals to induce nodule primordia (Spaink, H. P., Sheeley, D. M., van Brussel, A. A. N., Glushka, J., York, W.S., Tak, T., Geiger, O., Kennedy, E. P., Reinhold, V. N., and Lugtenberg, B. J. J. (1991) Nature 354, 125-130) and preinfection thread structures (van Brussel, A. A. N., Bakhuizen, R., van Spronsen, P. C., Spaink, H. P., Tak, T., Lugtenberg, B. J. J., and Kijne, J. W. (1992) Science 257, 70-72) on the host plant Vicia sativa. We presently focus on the question of how these lipo-oligosaccharide signals are synthesized in Rhizobium. Here we show that after the induction of the nodFE genes, even in the absence of the nodABC genes, the trans-2,trans-4,trans-6,cis-11-octadecatetraenoic acid, which has a characteristic absorbance maximum of 303 nm, is synthesized; this shows that the biosynthesis of the unusual fatty acid is not dependent on the synthesis of the lipooligosaccharides. This finding also suggests that the biosynthesis of the unusual fatty acid is completed before it is linked to the sugar backbone of the lipooligosaccharide. In an attempt to identify the lipid fraction with which the unusual C18:4 fatty acid is associated, we found that it is linked to the sn-2 position of the phospholipids. Even when lipooligosaccharide signals are produced in a wild type Rhizobium cell, a fraction of the unusual fatty acid is still bound to all major phospholipids. These findings offer interesting possibilities. 1) The phospholipids might be biosynthetic intermediates for the synthesis of lipooligosaccharide signals, and 2) phospholipids, containing nodFE-derived fatty acids, might have a signal function of their own.

Acyltransferases↗

Consumption of (n-3) fatty acids is related to plasma biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial activation in women.

We evaluated the hypothesis that intake of (n-3) fatty acids is inversely associated with biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial activation. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 727 women from the Nurses' Health Study I cohort, aged 43-69 y, apparently healthy at time of a blood draw in 1990. Dietary intake was assessed by a validated FFQ in 1986 and 1990. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were 29% lower among those in the highest quintile of total (n-3) fatty acids, compared with the lowest quintile; interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were 23% lower, E-selectin levels 10% lower, soluble intracellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1) levels 7% lower, and soluble vascular adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1) levels 8% lower. The intake of alpha-linolenic acid was inversely related to plasma concentrations of CRP (beta = -0.55, P = 0.02), Il-6 (beta = -0.36, P = 0.01), and E-selectin (beta = -0.24, P = 0.008) after controlling for age, BMI, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and intake of linoleic acid (n-6) and saturated fat. Long-chain (n-3) fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic) were inversely related to sICAM-1 (beta = -0.11, P = 0.03) and sVCAM-1 (beta = -0.17, P = 0.003). Total (n-3) fatty acids had an inverse relation with CRP (beta = -0.44, P = 0.007), IL-6 (beta = -0.26, P = 0.009), E-selectin (beta = -0.17, P = 0.004), sICAM-1 (beta = -0.07, P = 0.02), and sVCAM-1 (beta = -0.10, P = 0.004). These associations were not modified by intake of vitamin E, dietary fiber, trans fatty acids, or by the use of postmenopausal hormone therapy. In conclusion, this study suggests that dietary (n-3) fatty acids are associated with levels of these biomarkers reflecting lower levels of inflammation and endothelial activation, which might explain in part the effect of these fatty acids in preventing cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗