Effects of a dairy product (pecorino cheese) naturally rich in cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid on lipid, inflammatory and haemorheological variables: a dietary intervention study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Some studies recently reported a favourable effect for cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on plasma lipoprotein profile of healthy subjects. Aim of this crossover intervention study was to evaluate the influence of a short-term dietary intake of a cheese derived from sheep's milk naturally rich in CLA on several atherosclerotic biomarkers, in comparison with a commercially available cheese. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten subjects (6 F; 4 M) with a median age of 51.5 followed for 10 weeks a diet containing 200 g/week of cheese naturally rich in CLA (intervention period) and for the same period a diet containing a commercially available cheese of the same quantity (placebo period). Consumption of the dairy product naturally rich in cis-9, trans-11 CLA determined a significant (p<0.05) reduction in inflammatory parameters such as interleukin-6 (pre 8.08+/-1.57 vs. post 4.58+/-0.94 pg/mL), interleukin-8 (pre 45.02+/-5.82 vs. post 28.59+/-2.64 pg/mL), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (pre 53.58+/-25.67 vs. post 32.09+/-17.42 pg/mL) whereas no significant differences in the placebo period were observed. With regard to haemorheological parameters, the test period significantly ameliorated erythrocytes' filtration rate (pre 7.61+/-0.71% vs. post 9.12+/-0.97%; p=0.03) with respect to the placebo period. Moreover, a reduction in the extent of platelet aggregation, induced by arachidonic acid [pre 87.8+/-1.76% vs. post 77.7+/-3.56%; p=0.04] was observed during the test period in comparison with the placebo period. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary short-term intake of the tested dairy product naturally rich in cis-9, trans-11 CLA appeared to cause favourable biochemical changes of atherosclerotic markers.