Effects of an energy-restricted diet rich in plant-derived α-linolenic acid on systemic inflammation and endothelial function in overweight-to-obese patients with metabolic syndrome traits

Br J Nutr. 2014 Oct 28;112(8):1315-22. doi: 10.1017/S0007114514002001. Epub 2014 Sep 2.

Abstract

Plant-derived α-linolenic acid (ALA) may reduce the risk of CVD, possibly by decreasing systemic inflammation and improving endothelial function. In the present study, the effects of a hypoenergetic diet rich in ALA (3·4 g/d) on the biomarkers of systemic inflammation and vascular function were investigated in eighty-one overweight-to-obese patients with metabolic syndrome traits in comparison with a hypoenergetic diet low in ALA (0·9 g/d, control). After a 6-month dietary intervention, there were significant decreases in the serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), TNF-α, IL-6, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble endothelial selectin (sE-selectin) and asymmetric dimethylarginine in both dietary groups. However, no inter-group differences were observed for all these changes. The serum concentration of YKL-40 (human cartilage glycoprotein 39 or chitinase-3-like protein 1) decreased after the ALA diet when compared with the control diet (P< 0·05 for time × treatment interaction). Plasma concentrations of fibrinogen did not significantly change in the two dietary groups. The decreases in the serum concentrations of sICAM-1, sE-selectin, CRP and YKL-40 were significantly correlated with the decreases in body fat mass. In conclusion, the present study indicates that in overweight-to-obese patients with metabolic syndrome traits, both vascular function and inflammation are improved during body-weight loss. The high ALA intake led to a more pronounced reduction in the serum concentration of YKL-40 compared with the intake of the low-ALA control diet, indicating the existence of independent favourable physiological effects of ALA during weight loss.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adipokines / blood
  • Adult
  • Arginine / analogs & derivatives
  • Arginine / blood
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis
  • Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
  • Diet, Reducing*
  • Down-Regulation
  • E-Selectin / blood
  • Endothelium, Vascular / immunology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology*
  • Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / blood
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / blood
  • Lectins / blood
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / etiology
  • Metabolic Syndrome / prevention & control*
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / diet therapy*
  • Obesity / immunology
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • Overweight / blood
  • Overweight / diet therapy*
  • Overweight / immunology
  • Overweight / physiopathology
  • Plant Oils / therapeutic use
  • Rapeseed Oil
  • Vasculitis / etiology
  • Vasculitis / prevention & control*
  • Weight Loss
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Adipokines
  • Biomarkers
  • CHI3L1 protein, human
  • Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
  • E-Selectin
  • Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated
  • ICAM1 protein, human
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Lectins
  • Plant Oils
  • Rapeseed Oil
  • SELE protein, human
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • N,N-dimethylarginine
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Arginine