Alpha-Linolenic Acid–Rich Wheat Germ Oil Decreases Oxidative Stress and CD40 Ligand in Patients With Mild Hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have underlined that a higher intake of α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) is inversely associated with coronary and carotid atherosclerotic disease.1 Long-chain n-3 fatty acids have been suggested to delay the atherosclerotic process through an antiinflammatory activity2 and in turn to stabilize vulnerable plaque.3 Previous studies suggested, in particular, that n-3 fatty acids may exert an antiinflammatory action by reducing oxidative stress.4 As we have previously shown that oxidative stress is implicated in upregulating CD40 ligand (CD40L), a protein with inflammatory and prothrombotic property,5,6 we tested the hypothesis that 18:3n-3 may protect against atherosclerotic disease also via inhibiting oxidative stress–mediated CD40L expression. To investigate this issue, 32 patients with hypercholesterolemia were randomly allocated, in a double blind fashion, to 2 months supplementation with 2 vegetable oils (1 tbsp/d) containing low (maize oil, 0.63%) or high (wheat germ oil, 8.6%) percentage of 18:3n-3. Before and after treatment oxidative stress and CD40L, a protein that is implicated in the progression of atherosclerotic disease,5 were measured. Also, we analyzed in vitro whether 18:3n-3 …