Effect of trans fatty acids from ruminants and industrial sources on plasma adhesion molecule concentrations in healthy men

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of ruminant trans fatty acids (rTFA) and industrial trans fatty acids (iTFA) on plasma adhesion molecule concentrations (VCAM, ICAM and E‐selectin) in healthy male subjects.DesignIn a double‐blind, randomized crossover controlled study, 38 healthy men were each fed 4 experimental isoenergetic diets lasting 4 weeks each. The 4 diets were : 1‐ iTFA (10.2 g/2500 kcal), 2‐ high rTFA (10.2 g/2500 kcal), 3‐ moderate rTFA (4.2 g/2500 kcal), and 4‐ control diet low in TFA from any source (2.2 g/2500 kcal).ResultsPlasma ICAM concentrations were reduced significantly after the moderate rTFA diet (3.9% reduction, p=0.042) and the iTFA diet (4% reduction, p=0.036) when compared to the control diet. No significant change in plasma concentrations of VCAM and E‐selectin were observed after any of the TFA diets compared to the control diet.ConclusionsData from this controlled feeding study suggest that 1) consumption of TFA from any source appear to have minimal impact on markers of endothelial dysfunction such as VCAM and E‐selectin, and 2‐ that high dietary intakes of TFA from industrial and ruminant sources may have different effects on plasma ICAM concentrations. The clinical implications of these findings have yet to be established. Funding: Dairy Farmers of Canada, Novalait Inc, NSERC.