Effect of different types of dietary fatty acids on subclinical inflammation in humans

Physiol Res. 2013;62(2):145-52. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.932439. Epub 2012 Dec 13.

Abstract

Replacing SAFAs (saturated fatty acids) for vegetable PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) has a well documented positive effect on the lipoprotein pattern while the direct effect of dietary fatty acids composition on systemic inflammation remains to be proven. In well controlled randomised cross-over study with 15 overweight/obese postmenopausal women, the effect of dietary switch on systemic inflammation was investigated. A two 3 weeks dietary period either with predominant animal fat (SAFA, 29 caloric % SAFA) or vegetable fat (PUFA 25 % caloric % PUFA) were interrupted by wash-out period. The expected increasing effect on SAFA diet to LDL-C (low density cholesterol) and opposite effect of PUFA diet was documented following changes in fatty acid spectrum in VLDL (very low density cholesterol) particles. The switch from SAFA diet to PUFA diet produced a significant change of CRP (C-reactive protein) concentration (p<0.01) whereas similar trend of IL-18 did not reach statistical significance. In this study, previous in vitro results of different SAFA and PUFA proinflammatory effects with well documented molecular mechanisms were first proven in a clinical study. It could be stated that the substantial change of dietary fatty acid composition might influence proinflammatory effect in addition to traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anthropometry
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Diet
  • Dietary Fats / therapeutic use*
  • Fatty Acids / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / diet therapy*
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Lipoproteins, VLDL / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / diet therapy
  • Overweight / diet therapy
  • Postmenopause
  • Waist Circumference

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Cytokines
  • Dietary Fats
  • Fatty Acids
  • Lipoproteins, VLDL
  • C-Reactive Protein