Plasma lipoprotein lipid and Lp[a] changes with substitution of elaidic acid for oleic acid in the diet

P. Nestel, M. Noakes, B. Belling, R. McArthur, P. Clifton, E. Janus, M. Abbey

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322 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The effect of additional dietary trans fatty acids (7% energy) on plasma lipids was assessed in a double-blind comparison of four separate diets: 1, enriched with butter fat (lauricmyristic-palmitic); 2, oleic acid-rich; 3, elaidic acid-rich; 4, palmitic acid-rich. The total dietary period was 11 weeks and comprised normal foods plus specific fat supplements. In 27 mildly hypercholesterolemic men, total and LDL cholesterol were significantly lower during the 3-week oleic acid-rich diet, and were similar during the other three diets. For the four diets LDL cholesterol levels were in mg/dl: 1, 163; 2, 151; 3, 165; 4, 161. HDL cholesterol was significantly higher with the palmitic acid-rich diet, 42 mg/dl, compared with elaidic acid, 38 mg/dl, which in turn was not lower than with oleic acid, 38 mg/dl. Plasma elaidic acid concentration rose seven-fold with the trans fatty acid diet but did not increase the vulnerability of LDL to oxidative change. The elaidic acid-rich diet led to significant elevations in the level of Lp[a] compared to all the other test diets. The Lp[a] level increased to 296 ± 220 U/l in the elaidic acid-rich period from 235 ± 182 (mean ± SD) in the first ('butter') period (P < 0.001) compared with 249 ± 204 in the palmitic acid period (P < 0.001) and 236 ± 201 in the oleic acid period (NS). We conclude that 3 weeks consumption of trans fatty acid (mainly elaidic) at about 7% energy (probably twice the Australian average) results in LDL cholesterol levels that do not differ from those seen with diets enriched with palmitic acid or butter fat and are higher than when oleic acid is substituted for elaidic acid.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1029-1036
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Lipid Research
Volume33
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished or Issued - 1992
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • elaidic acid
  • oleic acid
  • palmitic acid
  • plasma cholesterol

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology

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