Even- and odd-chain saturated fatty acids in serum phospholipids are differentially associated with adipokines.

Kayo Kurotani,Shoji Tanaka,Shamima Akter,Masao Sato,Kentaro Kashima,Bungo Shirouchi,Kazuki Yasuda,Hitomi Hayabuchi,Tetsuya Mizoue,Takuya Hayashi,Ikuko Kashino,Susanne Kaser

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0178192

Abstract

BackgroundSaturated fatty acids are generally thought to have detrimental effects on health. However, a recent study showed that even- and odd-chain saturated fatty acids had opposite associations with type 2 diabetes. Limited studies of Western populations examined the associations of circulating saturated fatty acids with adipokines, an important role in glucose metabolism.ObjectiveWe examined the associations of saturated fatty acids in serum phospholipids with circulating levels of adipokines among a Japanese population.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted among 484 Japanese employees (284 men and 200 women) aged 20–65 years. The serum fatty acid composition in the phospholipid fraction was measured by gas-chromatography. Serum leptin, adiponectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), resistin, and visfatin were measured using a Luminex suspension bead-based multiplexed array. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to assess the association between saturated fatty acids and adipokines, with adjustment for potential confounding variables.ResultsEven- and odd-chain saturated fatty acids were differentially associated with adipokines. Higher levels of even-chain saturated fatty acids (14:0 myristic, 16:0 palmitic, and 18:0 stearic acids) were associated with higher levels of resistin (P for trend = 0.048) and lower levels of adiponectin (P for trend = 0.003). By contrast, odd-chain saturated fatty acids (15:0 pentadecanoic and 17:0 heptadecanoic acids) showed inverse associations with leptin and PAI-1 (P for trend = 0.048 and 0.02, respectively). Visfatin was positively associated with both even- and odd-chain saturated fatty acids.ConclusionsThe results suggest that even- and odd-chain saturated fatty acids are differentially associated with adipokine profile.

Highlights

Contrary to the common belief that a reduction in dietary saturated fatty acids improves cardiovascular health, a recent meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies concluded that both a higher intake and circulating forms of saturated fatty acids are not harmful in terms of risk of coronary disease [1]
The results suggest that even- and odd-chain saturated fatty acids are differentially associated with adipokine profile
Adipokines are involved in glucose metabolism, inflammation, reducing inflammation, coagulation (e.g., plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) [6]), endothelial dysfunction (e.g., PAI-1 [8]), and feeding behavior

Summary

Introduction

Contrary to the common belief that a reduction in dietary saturated fatty acids improves cardiovascular health, a recent meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies concluded that both a higher intake and circulating forms of saturated fatty acids are not harmful in terms of risk of coronary disease [1]. In the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Study (EPIC) and the Norfolk Prospective Study, even-chain saturated fatty acid concentrations were associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, whereas odd-chain saturated fatty acid concentrations were associated with a decreased risk [2]. With regard to epidemiological evidence, high concentrations of leptin [10], resistin [11], visfatin [12], and PAI-1 [8, 13] have been associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, whereas high adiponectin concentrations have been associated with a decreased risk of obesity [6] and type 2 diabetes [14, 15]. Limited studies of Western populations examined the associations of circulating saturated fatty acids with adipokines, an important role in glucose metabolism

Methods

Results

Conclusion