Serum fatty acids and risk of advanced beta-cell autoimmunity: a nested case-control study among children with HLA-conferred susceptibility to type I diabetes.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: N-3 (omega-3) fatty acids have been reported to decrease the risk for development of beta-cell autoimmunity and clinical type I diabetes. We set out to examine whether different serum fatty acids are associated with the development of advanced beta-cell autoimmunity in children carrying human leukocyte antigen DQ beta-1 (HLA-DQB1)-conferred susceptibility to type I diabetes. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Within a cohort, serum total fatty acid composition of 108 children with advanced beta-cell autoimmunity and of 216 matched persistently autoantibody-negative controls was analyzed using gas chromatography. Non-fasting serum samples were obtained annually at the ages of 1-6 years. Conditional logistic regression was applied to analyze the associations between advanced beta-cell autoimmunity and serum fatty acids. RESULTS: The serum fatty acid profile of myristic acid (odds ratio (OR) 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-2.00, P=0.011), pentadecanoic acid (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.19-2.28, P=0.003), palmitoleic acid isomers 16:1 n-7 (omega-7) (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.03-1.92, P=0.030) and 16:1 n-9 (omega-9) (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.05-2.01, P=0.026) and conjugated linoleic acid (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.16-2.41, P=0.006) closest to the time of the appearance of multiple autoantibodies were positively associated with the risk of advanced beta-cell autoimmunity after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Serum linoleic acid showed inverse, marginal association with the end point. CONCLUSIONS: Serum biomarkers of milk and ruminant meat fat consumption are directly associated and linoleic acid is inversely associated with advanced beta-cell autoimmunity in children with HLA-conferred susceptibility to type I diabetes.

The Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPAR-gamma2 gene affects associations of fish intake and marine n-3 fatty acids with glucose metabolism.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Data on associations between marine n-3 fatty acids and glucose metabolism are inconsistent. Therefore, we explored effects of the Pro12Ala polymorphism in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma2 gene on associations of fish intake and dietary and plasma eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid with glucose metabolism. The design comprises of the cross-sectional analysis. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The Pro12Ala variant in the PPAR-gamma2 (PPARG) gene was genotyped in 571 non-diabetic relatives of subjects with type II diabetes. The dietary intake was measured by a 3-day food record, and the plasma cholesterol ester fatty acid composition was analysed with gas chromatography. Associations of dietary and plasma variables with insulin resistance and fasting and 2-h glucose and free fatty acid concentrations were analysed with multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: In men, there was a significant interaction between PPARG polymorphism and plasma docosahexaenoic acid on fasting free fatty acid concentration (P=0.036), and genotype-stratified models showed an inverse association in Pro homozygotes only (P=0.028). In women, the proportion of plasma eicosapentaenoic acid was higher in Ala-allele carriers compared to Pro homozygotes (1.67 vs 1.44% respectively, P=0.006). A significant interaction between PPARG polymorphism and fish intake on 2-h glucose was found in women (P=0.021), and genotype-stratified models suggested an inverse association in Ala-allele carriers only (P=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that PPARG polymorphism might affect the plasma proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid and modulate the associations of fish intake and marine n-3 fatty acids with glucose metabolism and fasting free fatty acids.

Effects of cis-9,trans-11 CLA in rats at intake levels reported for breast-fed infants.

CLA intake in exclusively breast-fed infants is close to levels found to have physiological effects in animals. However, in the majority of studies mixtures of CLA isomers have been used and the independent effects of the major CLA isomer in human milk, cis-9,trans-11 CLA, at the intake level in exclusively breast-fed infants have hardly been studied. We therefore studied the effects of cis-9,trans-11 CLA on plasma lipids and glucose, immune function, and bone metabolism in growing rats. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10/group) were fed either 20 mg/kg/d cis-9,trans-11 CLA and 20 mg/kg/d sunflower oil (CLA20), 40 mg/kg/d cis-9,trans-11 CLA (CLA40), or 40 mg/kg/d sunflower oil (placebo) for 8 wk. No significant differences between groups were found in plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein, or lipid peroxidation. Liver fat content was lowest in the CLA20 group. In vitro interleukin 2 (IL-2) production increased, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-1beta, prostaglandin E2, and leukotriene B4 production decreased in the CLA20 group. No differences between groups were detected in IL-4, IL-6, or interferon gamma production, plasma osteocalcin, insulin-like growth factor, or urinary deoxypyridinoline crosslinks. Plasma tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b activity was significantly increased in the CLA40 group. The results indicate anti-inflammatory effects and enhanced T-cell function for the CLA20 group. No adverse effects were seen in the CLA20 group, whereas indications of increased bone resorption rate were observed in the CLA40 group.

The effect of flaxseed supplementation in processed foods on serum fatty acids and enterolactone.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to study the effects of flaxseed supplementation as a part of daily diet on serum lipids, fatty acids and plasma enterolactone. DESIGN: Eighty volunteers participated in this clinical nutrition study which was carried out in a controlled, double-blind and cross-over manner. The subjects were randomized to diet sequences AB or BA. Diet A meals contained 1.3 g/100 g ground flaxseed and 5 g/100 g flaxseed oil. Also 3-4 g/100 of inulin and wheat fiber was added. AB diet with non-supplemented foods served as control. Test subjects were on both diets for 4 weeks separated by a 4-week wash-out period. Fifteen test subjects continued an open part of the study for 4 additional months. INTERVENTIONS: The dietary intake, basic blood values, serum lipids, fatty acids and enterolactone were measured at baseline, after both intervention periods and during the open study, at baseline and after 2 and 4 months. Serum thiocyanate and blood cadmium were controlled after both intervention periods. RESULTS: The percentage of flaxseed supplemented test food out of total dietary intake was 20% of energy. The test food contained significantly higher amounts of fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and especially alpha-linolenic acid than the control food. No significant changes were observed in the basic laboratory values or in blood lipids. There was a significant increase in serum alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid. Serum enterolactone concentration was doubled during flaxseed supplementation. Serum thiocyanate and blood cadmium values did not exceed reference values and there was no difference between the diets. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we were able to show that, by adding ground flaxseed and flaxseed oil to one or two daily meals, it is possible to obtain significant effects on serum levels of enterolactone and alpha-linolenic acid. SPONSORSHIP: The study was sponsored by the National Technology Agency of Finland (Tekes).

Association between trans fatty acid intake and cardiovascular risk factors in Europe: the TRANSFAIR study.

BACKGROUND: High intakes of trans fatty acids (TFA) have been found to exert an undesirable effect on serum lipid profiles, and thus may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVES: Investigation of the association between TFA intake and serum lipids. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study in eight European countries (Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden) among 327 men and 299 women (50-65 y). Using a dietary history method, food consumption was assessed and TFA intake was calculated with recent figures on TFA levels of foods, collected in the TRANSFAIR study. RESULTS: Mean (+/-s.d.) TFA intake was 2.40+/-1.53 g/day for men and 1.98+/-1.49 g/day for women (0.87+/-0.48% and 0. 95+/-0.55% of energy, respectively), with the highest consumption in Iceland and the lowest in the Mediterranean countries. No associations were found between total TFA intake and LDL, HDL or LDL/HDL ratio after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. Additional adjustment for other fatty acid clusters resulted in a significant inverse trend between total TFA intake and total cholesterol (Ptrend<0.03). The most abundantly occurring TFA isomer, C18:1 t, contributed substantially to this inverse association. The TFA isomers C14:1 t9, C16:1 t9 and C22:1 t were not associated or were positively associated with LDL or total cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: From this study we conclude that at the current European intake levels of trans fatty acids they are not associated with an unfavourable serum lipid profile. SPONSORSHIP: Unilever Research Laboratorium, the Dutch Dairy Foundation on Nutrition and Health, Cargill BV, the Institute of Food Research Norwich Laboratory, the Nutrition Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the International Fishmeal and Oil Manufacturers' Association, Kraft Foods, NV Vandemoortele Coordination Center, Danone Group, McDonalds Deutschland Inc, Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Valio Ltd, Raisio Group. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2000) 54, 126-135

The effects of a prolonged undernutrition on serum lipids and fatty acid composition of reindeer calves during winter and spring.

We examined the effects of undernutrition on lipid metabolism in reindeer (<1 year) during mid-winter and spring, with particular focus on the proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in major serum lipids. The reindeer (n=8) were fed their winter feed, lichen, ad libitum for 5 weeks, followed by 40% restriction of energy for 8 weeks and refeeding to normal for 6 weeks. The concentrations of major serum lipids, cholesterol and phospholipids decreased significantly during the ad libitum period (by 50 and 44%, respectively). The proportion of major PUFA, linoleic acid in serum cholesteryl esters, decreased from 48.2 to 38.4% during the ad libitum period (P < 0.01), and to 29.2% during the restriction period (P < 0.001). The proportion of linoleic acid in phospholipids decreased from 27.9 to 15.6% during the ad libitum period (P < 0. 001), and to 13.0% during the restriction (P < 0.01). Also alpha-linolenic acid in the major lipids decreased significantly during the ad libitum and restriction periods. The decreases in the major lipids and linoleic acid were reversed during the refeeding. The control group (n=8) which was fed high-quality concentrates ad libitum gained weight most of the spring but showed similar although slower decreases in the major serum lipids and PUFAs than the lichen group. Our results indicate that feeding reindeer on lichen during winter leads to the retardation of growth and reductions in major serum lipids and their principal C18-PUFA proportions. The decreased proportions of the principal PUFAs most probably reflect their low dietary intake but may have been modified also by seasonal factors.

Inverse association between dietary and serum conjugated linoleic acid and risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is anticarcinogenic in experimental animal studies. We studied dietary and serum CLA in Finnish patients with breast cancer in 1992-1995. Participants were consecutive women with breast cancer (68 premenopausal and 127 postmenopausal) and population-based control women (75 premenopausal and 133 postmenopausal), matched for age and area of residence. Diet was assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire and the fatty acid composition of serum by gas-liquid chromatography. In postmenopausal women, dietary CLA, serum CLA, myristic acid, and trans-vaccenic acid were significantly lower in cases than in controls. The odds ratio for breast cancer in the highest quintile vs. the lowest was 0.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.2-0.9]for CLA, 0.3 (95% CI = 0.1-0.7) for myristic acid, and 0.3 (95% CI = 0.1-0.7) for trans-vaccenic acid in serum. The odds ratios remained similar after adjustment for known risk factors of breast cancer. A diet composed of CLA-rich foods, particularly cheese, may protect against breast cancer in postmenopausal women, but it is impossible to assess the independent effects of CLA in this study. The findings may be of relevance for food production, inasmuch as it is possible to increase CLA and its precursor trans-vaccenic acid in foods by modifying the feeding of ruminants.

Evaluation of a food frequency questionnaire with weighed records, fatty acids, and alpha-tocopherol in adipose tissue and serum.

The authors examined the validity of a self-administered 180-item food frequency questionnaire in 125 Norwegian men aged 20-55 years who filled in the questionnaire and completed 14-day weighed records in fall 1995 to winter 1995/6. Spearman correlation coefficients between the two measurements ranged from 0.42 for percent of energy from fat to 0.66 for sugar intake (median r = 0.51). On average, 39% of the men were classified in the same quartile with the two methods, and 3% in the opposite quartile. Correlation coefficients between intake of fatty acids estimated from the questionnaire and the relative amounts of fatty acids in adipose tissue were: linoleic acid (18:2, n-6), r = 0.38; alpha-linolenic acid (18:3, n-3), r = 0.42; eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5, n-3), r = 0.52; and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6, n-3), r = 0.49. The correlations for these fatty acids between the total serum lipids and the diet were 0.16, 0.28, 0.51 and 0.52, respectively. The data suggest that very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids in adipose tissue and total serum lipids reflect the dietary intake of very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids to the same degree. No associations were observed between intake of alpha-tocopherol and concentration in adipose tissue and serum.

Omega-3 fatty acids in adipose tissue and risk of myocardial infarction: the EURAMIC study.

Omega-3 fatty acids have potential antiatherogenic, antithrombotic, and antiarrhythmic properties, but their role in coronary heart disease remains controversial. To evaluate the association of omega-3 fatty acids in adipose tissue with the risk of myocardial infarction in men, a case-control study was conducted in eight European countries and Israel. Cases (n=639) included patients with a first myocardial infarction admitted to coronary care units within 24 hours from the onset of symptoms. Controls (n=700) were selected to represent the populations originating the cases. Adipose tissue levels of fatty acids were determined by capillary gas chromatography. The mean (+/-SD) proportion of alpha-linolenic acid was 0.77% (+/-0.19) of fatty acids in cases and 0.80% (+/-0.19) of fatty acids in controls (P=0.01). The relative risk for the highest quintile of alpha-linolenic acid compared with the lowest was 0.42 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22 to 0.81, P-trend=0.02). After adjusting for classical risk factors, the relative risk for the highest quintile was 0.68 (95% CI 0.31 to 1.49, P-trend=0.38). The mean proportion of docosahexaenoic acid was 0.24% (+/-0.13) of fatty acids in cases and 0.25% (+/-0.13) of fatty acids in controls (P=0. 14), with no evidence of association with risk of myocardial infarction. In this large case-control study we could not detect a protective effect of docosahexaenoic acid on the risk of myocardial infarction. The protective effect of alpha-linolenic acid was attenuated after adjusting for classical risk factors (mainly smoking), but it deserves further research.

Lack of effect on blood pressure by low fat diets with different fatty acid compositions.

We compared the effects on blood pressure (BP) of three isocaloric diets with reduced total fat and saturated fatty acid (SAFA) contents but with different proportions of monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Diet LF (low fat) provided 20 en% fat (7.9% SAFA, 7.8% MUFA, 3.0% PUFA); diet HP (high PUFA) 26 en% fat (7.5% SAFA, 8.2% MUFA, 8.1% PUFA), and diet HM (high MUFA) 26 en% fat (7.3% SAFA, 14.1% MUFA, 3.2% PUFA). The diets were consumed for 8 weeks (intervention) preceded by 2 weeks and followed by 8 weeks on a habitual diet (baseline/ switchback) with 33-34 en% fat (13-14% SAFA, 12% MUFA, 6% PUFA). Forty-five free-living couples were randomly allocated into the three diet groups, and 43 men and 44 women completed the study. BP was measured weekly with an automatic device. Compliance to diet was monitored by repeated food records, serum fatty acid compositions, and weekly visits to a nutritionist. Both systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) remained unchanged throughout the study in all three groups. The weight-adjusted mean (s.e.m.) BP values showed changes in SBP of +1.7 (1.8), -0.4 (1.7), and +1.9 (1.9) mm Hg on the LF, HP, and HM diets, respectively (difference NS), and DBP of +0.1 (1.0), +0.6 (1.0), and -0.3 (1.0) mm Hg, respectively (difference NS) between the last 2 weeks of the baseline and intervention periods. The expected fatty acid intakes were achieved, and there were no between-group differences in change of body weight, intake of dietary fibre and potassium, and 24-h sodium excretion. A reduction in total fat and SAFA intake and changes in the proportions of dietary MUFA and PUFA did not affect the BP levels of this normotensive population with an adequate intake of PUFA at baseline.

Stearic acid, trans fatty acids, and dairy fat: effects on serum and lipoprotein lipids, apolipoproteins, lipoprotein(a), and lipid transfer proteins in healthy subjects.

To compare the effects on serum lipoproteins of stearic acid, trans fatty acids, and dairy fat, 80 healthy subjects consumed a dairy fat-based (baseline) diet for 5 wk, then an experimental diet high in either trans fatty acids (8.7% of energy; n = 40) or stearic acid (9.3% of energy; n = 40) for another 5 wk. All diets provided 32.2-33.9% of energy as fat, 14.6-15.8% as saturated plus trans fatty acids, 11.4-12.5% as cis-monounsaturated fatty acids, 2.9-3.5% as polyunsaturated fatty acids, and 200-221 mg cholesterol/10 MJ. Compared with the dairy fat diet, stearic acid and trans fatty acids decreased serum total cholesterol concentrations similarly (by 13% and 12%, respectively, P < 0.001) but the trans fatty acid diet decreased HDL cholesterol (17%) and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I (15%) significantly more than did the stearic acid diet (11% and 12%, respectively). Stearic acid but not trans fatty acids reduced concentrations of LDL cholesterol and apo B significantly (P < 0.001). The trans fatty acid diet increased the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol (19%) and of apo B to apo A-I (16%) more than did the dairy fat diet (P < 0.001) but the stearic acid diet had no effect. Lipoprotein(a) concentrations increased with both experimental diets, significantly more with trans fatty acids (30%) than with stearic acid (10%). In conclusion, high amounts of trans fatty acids had more adverse effects on lipoproteins than did equal amounts of stearic acid and dairy fat. Stearic acid reduced LDL cholesterol, did not affect the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol, and increased lipoprotein(a), although to a lesser extent than did trans fatty acids. Dietary fats low in both saturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids should be favored.

Association of the fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids with hemostatic factors.

It has been suggested that the fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We examined the association of the fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids with fibrinogen, factor VII antigen (FVII:Ag), factor VII coagulant activity (FVII:C), plasminogen, and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] in 338 men and 363 women 45 to 64 years old. Palmitic acid, the most abundant saturated fatty acid, was positively associated in univariate analyses with plasminogen, which explained 5.2% of its variance among men (P<.0001) and 5.8% among women (P<.0001). Linoleic acid, which is the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid, was negatively associated with plasminogen and fibrinogen. This explained 1.1% of the variance in fibrinogen among men (P=.04) and 3.2% among women (P=.0006) and 4.1% of the variance in plasminogen in both sexes (P<.0001). Dihomogammalinolenic acid was positively associated with FVII:Ag and explained 3.7% of its variance among men (P=.0003) and 4.6% among women (P<.0001). Furthermore, dihomogammalinolenic acid was positively and significantly associated with FVII:C, fibrinogen, and plasminogen among women but not among men. All these associations remained significant after adjustment for multiple potential confounding factors such as age, smoking, serum lipids, and body mass index. In conclusion, our findings suggest that linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and dihomogammalinoleic acid are significant independent determinants of hemostatic profile. It is not clear, however, to what extent these results reflect the effects of fatty acids on coagulation and to what extent they reflect the activity of inflammatory processes in the arteries.

Effect of extreme fish consumption on dietary and plasma antioxidant levels and fatty acid composition.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of high-fish and low-fish diets on plasma concentrations of fatty acids and selected antioxidants. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: The effects of fish consumption on dietary and plasma antioxidant levels and fatty acid composition were studied as part of a large dietary survey of Finnish adults (n = 1861). High-fish consumers were matched with low-fish consumers and 41 pairs were identified. The members of each pair were of the same sex, from the same 10 y age group, and from the same or adjacent areas. There were 21 men and 20 women in each group, with a mean age of 54.3 y. METHODS: The fish consumption of the subjects was investigated with a qualitative food questionnaire. Additionally, a 3 d food record was used to estimate the diet. Two indices were defined to describe the oxidation potential of the diets. The plasma alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, and beta-carotene concentrations and various fatty acids were analysed. RESULTS: The mean fish intake was 103 g/d in the high-fish and 5 g/d in the low-fish group. The dietary intakes of vitamin C, protein, total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, mercury, selenium, and salt and the theoretical oxidative potential were higher (P < 0.05) and the saturated fatty acid intake lower (P < 0.01) in the high-fish than in the low-fish group. The dietary vitamin E intake was similar in both groups but the ratio of dietary vitamin E/PUFA was higher (P < 0.01) in the high-fish than in the low-fish group (0.85 and 0.75, respectively). The plasma n-3 PUFAs were higher (P < 0.001) and n-6 PUFAs lower (P < 0.001) in the high-fish than in the low-fish group. There were no differences in plasma antioxidant levels between the groups. CONCLUSION: This study shows that extreme fish consumption does not affect plasma antioxidant levels.

The serum cholesterol ester fatty acid composition but not the serum concentration of alpha tocopherol predicts the development of myocardial infarction in 50-year-old men: 19 years follow-up.

A low serum tocopherol concentration and a low proportion of linoleic acid in plasma cholesterol esters have been reported to be associated with coronary heart disease. This study was undertaken to evaluate the predictive importance of the serum cholesterol ester fatty acid composition and serum tocopherol concentration in addition to established risk factors for myocardial infarction. The study comprised 2322 fifty-year-old men who participated in a health survey in 1970-1973 regarding risk factors for coronary heart disease. The proportions of myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic, and dihomogammalinolenic acid were significantly higher in 1970-1973 in subjects who suffered myocardial infarction during the following 19 years, while the proportion of linoleic acid was lower, than in those who remained healthy. Serum tocopherol did not differ significantly between the groups. LDL/HDL ratio, systolic blood pressure, and arachidonic acid/dihomogammalinolenic acid ratio were significant independent discriminators between cases and controls in a stepwise logistic regression analysis. This study suggests that middle-aged men who later develop a myocardial infarction are characterized not only by conventional risk factors but also by an altered fatty acid composition of serum cholesterol esters, with a low arachidonic to dihomogammalinolenic acid ratio, indicating reduced delta 5 desaturase activity. This may imply that changes in the quality of dietary fat intake, or an altered capacity to metabolize fatty acids in the body, could precede the development of coronary heart disease.

Serum alpha tocopherol concentrations and cholesterol ester fatty acid composition in 70-year-old men reflect those 20 years earlier.

OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that low serum alpha tocopherol concentrations and a low proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the serum cholesterol esters may be associated with a high risk of developing coronary heart disease. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: In this study the intraindividual reproducibility (biological 'tracking') of these variables was studied in 855 men at the ages of 50 and 70 years. RESULTS: The lipid adjusted tocopherol concentration was positively correlated (r = 0.28, P < 0.0001) between 50 and 70 years of age. Also the proportions of the serum cholesterol ester fatty acids were positively correlated between the same ages with r = 0.31 (P < 0.0001) for palmitic, r = 0.45 (P < 0.0001) for linoleic, and r = 0.58 (P < 0.0001) for arachidonic acid. The body weights of the men at 50 and 70 years of age were strongly correlated (r = 0.78, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The tocopherol concentrations and the fatty acid composition are related to vitamin intake and to the dietary fat quality, respectively, and may be useful markers in prospective studies of diseases and of development of diseases. The correlations between the proportions of fatty acids and the body weights, respectively at the ages of 50 and 70 indicate, that changes in diet and body weight in men are probably relatively limited between these years.

Alpha-linolenic acid in rapeseed oil partly compensates for the effect of fish restriction on plasma long chain n-3 fatty acids.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the ability of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in low erucic acid rapeseed oil (RO) to compensate for the effects of a restriction in fish intake on plasma fatty acid composition. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Two times 6 weeks' randomized dietary intervention was used with blind crossover design in 40 healthy unconfined women and men (age 20-46y). INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were assigned to two fish restricted diets, namely RO diet and Trisun-sunflower oil (TSO) diet, with similar proportions of saturated : monounsaturated : polyunsaturated fatty acids (11.5:17.5:8.5% of total energy, En%), but differing in their ALA content (2.2 and 0.3 En%) and n-6 : n-3-ratio (3 : 1 and 23 : 1, respectively). The fatty acid compositions of plasma triglycerides (TG), cholesterol esters (CE), and phospholipids (PL) were analyzed by gas chromatography. Dietary intake was evaluated based on 3- to 7-day food records. RESULTS: The proportion of TG and CE ALA decreased on the TSO diet (from 1.6% to 0.9% and from 0.9% to 0.4%, respectively, P < 0.001) and increased on the RO diet (from 1.7% to 3.4% and from 0.9% to 1.3%, respectively, P < 0.001) compared to the baseline level. The proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in all three plasma fractions decreased on the TSO diet but not on the RO diet. The proportions of docosa-hexaenoic acid (DHA) decreased on both experimental diets and there was no difference in CE DHA between the diets. PL docosa-pentaenoic acid (DPA) and PL DHA remained at a higher level on the RO diet compared to the TSO diet (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ALA is metabolized to EPA in humans to a significant extent. The degree to which rapeseed oil (ca 50g/day) affects the proportion of EPA resembled the effect of a weekly portion (50-100g) of fatty fish depending on the fat content of the fish.

Adipose tissue isomeric trans fatty acids and risk of myocardial infarction in nine countries: the EURAMIC study.

Dietary isomeric trans fatty acids-mainly produced by hydrogenation of oils-are suspected of increasing the risk of coronary heart disease. Dietary trans fatty acid intake is reflected in the fatty acid composition of adipose tissue. In an international multicentre study in eight European countries and Israel (EURAMIC), adipose tissue aspiration samples were obtained from 671 men with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), aged 70 years or less, and 717 men without a history of AMI (controls). The proportion of fatty acids, including isomeric trans monoenoic fatty acids with 18 carbon atoms (C18:1), was determined by gas chromatography. Although there were considerable differences between countries in mean (SD) proportion of adipose tissue C18:1 trans fatty acids, there was no overall difference between cases (1.61 [0.92]%) and the controls (1.57 [0.86]%). The risk of AMI did not differ significantly from 1.0 over quartiles of adipose C18:1 trans fatty acids: the multivariate odds ratio was 0.97 (95% CI 0.56-1.67) for the highest versus lowest quartile. After exclusion of subjects from Spanish centres because they had far lower proportions of adipose trans fatty acids than subjects from other countries, there was a tendency to increased risk of AMI in the upper quartiles of C18:1 trans; however, the trend was not statistically significant. Our results reflect considerable differences between countries in dietary intake of trans fatty acids but do not suggest a major overall effect of C18:1 trans fatty acids on risk of AMI. We cannot exclude the possibility that trans fatty acids have a significant impact on risk of AMI in populations with high intake.