Association between the Erythrocyte Membrane Fatty Acid Profile and Cognitive Function in the Overweight and Obese Population Aged from 45 to 75 Years Old.

Jingyi Shen,Huiyan Yu,Rong Xiao,Yinan Hua,Weiwei Ma,Bingjie Ding,Cui Zhou,Jinchen Li

doi:10.3390/nu14040914

Jingyi Shen, Huiyan Yu + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14040914

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Abstract

Dietary fatty acid intake is closely related to the cognitive function of the overweight and obese population. However, few studies have specified the correlation between exact fatty acids and cognitive functions in different body mass index (BMI) groups. We aimed to explain these relationships and reference guiding principles for the fatty acid intake of the overweight and obese population. Normal weight, overweight, and obese participants were recruited to receive a cognitive function assessment and dietary survey, dietary fatty acids intake was calculated, and the erythrocyte membrane fatty acid profile was tested by performing a gas chromatography analysis. The percentages of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in the obese group were higher, while monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were lower than in the normal weight and overweight groups. In the erythrocyte membrane, the increase of n-3 PUFAs was accompanied by cognitive decline in the overweight group, which could be a protective factor for cognitive function in the obese group. High n-6 PUFAs intake could exacerbate the cognitive decline in the obese population. Dietary fatty acid intake had different effects on the cognitive function of overweight and obese people, especially the protective effect of n-3 PUFAs; more precise dietary advice is needed to prevent cognitive impairment.

Highlights

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralObesity, which is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health [1], is known as an important risk factor for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and dementia [2,3]
The higher percentages in the history of hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia, and the higher TG, FBG, and apolipoprotein E (Apo E) levels in the serum in the OB group confirmed that obesity could be a risk factor for chronic diseases [2,30,31], which is consistent with previous studies
A higher intake of total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) was positively related to cognitive functions, our study showed that higher levels of C16:1, C17:1, and C22:1n-9 in the erythrocyte membranes could result in worse memory ability, naming ability, attention ability and language skills in the OW and OB group, while C20:1 played a contrast role in this process with lower percentages of MUFAs in the erythrocyte membrane fatty acid profile in the OB group than in the other two groups

Summary

Introduction

Obesity, which is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health [1], is known as an important risk factor for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and dementia [2,3]. In the past few years, the prevalence of obesity has increased substantially. 39% of adults aged 18 years and over were overweight in 2016, and 13% were obese worldwide [4]. According to the Chinese Nutrition and Chronic Disease Status Report in 2020, more than 50% of adults were overweight or obese [5]. A cross-sectional study from eight regional centres in REACTION

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