Gas chromatographic profiles of plasma total lipids as indicators of dietary history: Correlation with carbohydrate and alcohol intake based on 24-h dietary recall

Abstract

Quantitative gas chromatographic estimates of the major lipid classes and molecular species in fasting plasma were correlated with total carbohydrate, starch, fibre, sucrose and alcohol intake based on 24-h dietary recall. Spearman coefficients ( r s) and tests of significance ( P) were obtained for groups of 775 males and 471 females aged 20–59 years from a Toronto-McMaster Lipid Research Clinics Population Study. The most significant correlations varying from r s 0.1 to 0.2 and P 0.001 to 0.0005 ( n = 400–773) were between increased intake of alcohol and increased ratios of C 50 C 54 triacylglycerols, C 34 C 36 phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylcholine/free cholesterol ( PC FC ) of plasma. Increase in total dietary carbohydrate, starch and fibre correlated with decreasing C 50 C 54 triacylglycerol, C 34 C 36 phosphatidylcholine and PC FC ratios ( r s = −0.1–0.2; P < 0.002–0.04; n = 400–773). In contrast, consumption of high levels of alcohol was associated with increasing C 50 C 54 triacylglycerol, C 34 C 36 phosphatidylcholine and PC FC ratios. A high intake of alcohol (50–150 ml per day) distinguished itself from other simple carbohydrate-induced lipid profiles by its marked effect on increased C 50 C 52 triacylglycerol and PC FC ratio.