Abstract P231: Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption is Associated with Higher Circulating Ceramide Concentrations in the Framingham Offspring Cohort

Abstract

Introduction: Ceramides are a class of sphingolipid that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases, and their circulating concentrations may be affected by foods that can alter hepatic lipid metabolism. We hypothesized that sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption may influence plasma concentrations of three ceramide species. Methods: Framingham Offspring cohort participants (N=2142; mean age, 65 years; 57% women) were categorized based on SSB consumption, as non-consumers (0 to < 1 serving/month), occasional consumers (1 serving/month to <1 serving/week), frequent consumers (1 serving/week to <1 serving/day), and daily consumers (≥1 serving/day). Plasma ceramide concentrations were assayed using a validated LC-MS/MS protocol. Multivariable linear regression models related frequency of SSB consumption to plasma ceramide concentrations (C16:0, C22:0, and C24:0), and to ceramide ratios (C22:0/C16:0 and C24:0/C16:0). Models adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, use of lipid-lowering medication, total energy, alcohol, diet quality, physical activity, and BMI. We explored if the SSB effects were modified by use of lipid-lowering medication, BMI (< 25 vs ≥ 25), or diabetes status (pre-diabetic/diabetic vs non-diabetic). Analyses were repeated using mean cumulative SSB consumption reflective of usual intake over 14 years. Results: Approximately 49% of participants were non-consumers, 20% occasional consumers, 25% frequent consumers, and 6% daily consumers, of SSBs. On average daily SSB consumers were younger, more likely to be men, more likely to smoke, had a lower diet quality, and were slightly more physically active (P trend <0.05). Concentrations (LS mean [95% CI] μg/mL) of the C16:0 ceramide were 0.163 [0.161, 0.166] for non-consumers and 0.169 [0.163, 0.175] for daily consumers (P trend <0.05). Concentrations of the C22:0 ceramide were 0.601 [0.599, 0.620] for non-consumers and 0.634 [0.604, 0.664] for daily consumers (P trend <0.05). There were no statistically significant associations between SSB consumption and plasma concentrations of the C24:0 ceramide or with ceramide ratios (C22:0/C16:0 and C24:0/C16:0). None of the interactions evaluated were statistically significant. Results of analyses using mean cumulative SSB consumption were similar but additionally indicated a significant positive association with concentrations of the C24:0 ceramide; concentrations were 2.252 [2.193, 2.312] for non-consumers and 2.428 [2.313, 2.542] for daily consumers (P trend <0.05). Conclusion: In our cross-sectional community-based sample of middle-aged adults, SSB consumption was positively associated with plasma concentrations of several ceramide species but not with ceramide ratios. This study may help to elucidate mechanisms mediating the association between SSB consumption and higher risk of cardiometabolic diseases.