The relationship of plasma fatty acid profile and metabolic biomarkers among postmenopausal obese and overweight women

Abstract

AimsConsidering some fatty acids (FA) have anti-inflammatory effects and by other hand obesity and menopause are associated with pro-inflammation, we aimed to investigate the impact of different FA on metabolic parameters among postmenopausal women obese/overweight. Additionally, since after menopause it takes some years for hormonal changes came to an end, the years past menopause (YPM) and the use of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) were considered. MethodsBlood from 50 Portuguese Caucasian postmenopausal women was collected. FA plasma profile was evaluated by Gas Chromatography–FID (GC-FID). Metabolic parameters analyses were performed in a certified Clinical Analysis Laboratory. Regressions analyses were used to find correlations between FA and metabolic parameters. ResultsFA were significantly correlated with several metabolic parameters. For women in menopause less than 6 years more correlations were obtained. Unsaturated cis FA (UFAcis), ω3, ω6, Polyunsaturated cis FA (PUFA) and Short-Chain FA (SCFA) were linked with anti-inflammatory activity whereas PUFAtrans, Monounsaturated cis FA (MUFAcis), Saturated FA(SFA) and ω9 were associated with pro-inflammatory pathways. ConclusionFA have a role in both processes: protective and inflammatory, in postmenopausal obese/overweight women. Thus, the understanding of the inflammatory pathways can begin a new perspective in the follow-up for this high metabolic risk population.