The contents of trans-fatty acid (TFA) isomers of human substernal adipose tissue and plasma lipids (cholesterol esters, triacylglycerols, phospholipids), obtained from patients with angiographically documented coronary heart disease (CHD group; n = 24) and from controls (excluded CHD; n = 25), were determined by capillary gas chromatography. No significant difference (P <0.05) could be observed between cases (2.59 +/- 33%) and controls (2.79 +/- 0.76%) with regard to adipose tissue total TFA contents (expressed as proportion of all identified fatty acid methyl esters). The total adipose tissue TFA content reflected the dietary TFA intake, which was estimated by dietary questionnaires. Both groups showed significant differences in several isomeric plasma lipid TFA. Cases generally had a tendency to lower individual TFA contents.