Key Findings:
Inflammatory markers including high-sensitivity (hs) C-reactive protein (CRP), TNF-a and IL-6 are associated with atherosclerosis, and are elevated in obesity. YKL-40, also known as human cartilage glycoprotein 39 or chitinase-3-like protein 1, is an inflammatory glycoprotein involved in endothelial dysfunction by promoting chemotaxis, cell attachment and migration in response to endothelial damage. This study assessed the effects of an energy-restricted diet enriched with ALA on the biomarkers of vascular function and inflammation in ninety-five patients (thirty male and sixty-five female) patients with metabolic syndrome traits. After a 26-week intervention period, improvement in the biomarkers of endothelial function, resting BP and inflammation in the ALA group as well in the control group was detected. The high ALA intake led to a more pronounced reduction in serum YKL-40 concentration and diastolic BP compared with the intake of low-ALA control diet, indicating that there may be independent favourable physiological effects of ALA during weight loss. The magnitude of the hypotensive effect would considerably reduce the risk of CVD. Levels of sICAM-1, sE-selectin, hs-CRP, hs-TNF-a, hs-IL-6 were improved. These effects of ALA may provide novel mechanisms by which ALA may affect vascular compliance.
ABSTRACT:
Plant-derived a-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-a, 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 X 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. (Authors abstract)
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