Dietary patterns influence epicardial adipose tissue fatty acid composition and inflammatory gene expression in the Ossabaw pig

Abstract

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) inflammation is implicated in the development and progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Dietary saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (SFAs and PUFA) can influence adipose tissue inflammation. We investigated the influence of dietary patterns, with emphasis on dietary fat type, and statin therapy, on EAT fatty acid (FA) composition and inflammatory gene expression. Thirty-two Ossabaw pigs were fed isocaloric amounts of a Heart Healthy (high in unsaturated fat) or Western (high in saturated fat) diets +/- atorvastatin for 6 months. EAT FA composition reflected dietary fat composition. There was no significant effect of atorvastatin on EAT FA composition. Total and long-chain SFAs were positively associated with inflammatory signaling (TLR2) and a gene involved in lipid mediator biosynthesis (PTGS2) (P<.0003). Medium-chain SFAs capric and lauric acids were negatively associated with IL-6 (all P<.0003). N-6 and n-3 PUFAs were positively associated with anti-inflammatory signaling genes (PPARG, FFAR4 and ADIPOQ) and long-chain n-3 PUFAs were positively associated with a gene involved in lipid mediator biosynthesis (ALOX5) (all P<.0003). These data indicate that dietary patterns, differing in fat type, influence EAT FA composition. Associations between EAT SFAs, PUFAs, and expression of genes related to inflammation provide a link between dietary quality and EAT inflammation.

Keywords: Atorvastatin; Dietary fat; Dietary patterns; Epicardial adipose tissue; Fatty acids; Ossabaw.