Plasma Trans-fatty Acids Research Articles

Association between plasma trans fatty acids concentrations and leucocyte telomere length in US adults.

To assess the relationship between plasma trans-fatty acids (TFAs) levels and leucocyte telomere length (TL) in a US adult population sample. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database was used for this study. Gas chromatography was used to separate derivatised fatty acids (Four major TFAs [palmitelaidic acid (C16:1n-7t), trans vaccenic acid (C18:1n-7t), elaidic acid (C18:1n-9t), and linoelaidic acid (C18:2n-6t,9t)]) which were then quatified using negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Data analyses used multivariable linear regressions, while accounting for the survey design. A total of 5446 eligible participants, with 46.8% (n = 2550) being men, were included. Their average age was 47.1 years for the total sample, and 47.8 and 46.5 years in men and women respectively (p = 0.085 for men vs. women difference). Concentrations of palmitelaidic acid and linolelaidic acid decreased with increasing length of the telomere (p < 0.05). Univariable linear regressions revealed a significant negative association between levels of the palmitelaidic acid, elaidic acid, vaccenic acid, and linolelaidic acid with TL. However when models were adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, education, marital status, sub-clinical inflammation, body mass index, and smoking, only palmitelaidic acid and linolelaidic acid remained significant (p < 0.05). TFAs levels and particularly palmitelaidic and linolelaidic acids, are likely negatively associated with telomere lenght. Future studies should explore the potential implications of these associations.

Relationship between plasma trans-fatty acid isomer concentrations and self-reported cardiovascular disease risk in US adults

The effect of different individual TFA isomers on cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been a limited study, especially for stroke. We aimed to investigate the relationships between four major plasma TFA isomer (elaidic, vaccenic, palmitelaidic and linolelaidic acid) concentrations and the risk of CVD, stroke and non-stroke CVD. A cross-sectional study was conducted, utilising a nationally representative sample of US adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Among the 3504 participants, 304 participants self-reported CVD history. The highest quintile of elaidic acid intake was associated with a 233% higher CVD risk (p = .010). Adjusted for age, gender and race, palmitelaidic acid was associated with a decreased CVD risk, but the effect size was diminished in a subsequent analysis model. For stroke risk, we failed to identify any associations. In addition to elaidic acid, the health effect of palmitelaidic acid should be paid more attention in the future studies.

Quantitation of trans-fatty acids in human blood via isotope dilution-gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization-mass spectrometry

Trans-fatty acids (TFA) are geometric isomers of naturally occurring cis-fatty acids. High dietary TFA intake has been associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about TFA levels in humans. To address this data need, we developed and validated a new isotope dilution-gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (ID-GC-NCI-MS) method for quantitation of 27 fatty acids (FA) including 4 major TFA in human plasma, serum, and red blood cells (RBC) from 66 donors. Quantitation was performed with 18 isotope labeled internal standards and results are presented in μM and % of total FA. This method has high sensitivity and specificity due to use of pentafluorobenzyl-bromide derivatization combined with NCI-MS and a 200m column to optimize positional and geometric FA isomer separation. The four major TFA, palmitelaidic acid, elaidic acid, trans-vaccenic acid, and linoelaidic acid, were detected in all samples, with median total TFA concentrations of 17.7μM in plasma, 19.6μM in serum, and 21.5μM in RBC. The % of total FA for the TFA was 0.20% in plasma, 0.20% in serum, and 0.30% in RBC. Patterns for % FA are similar to those reported in other studies. We developed a highly specific, ID-GC-NCI-MS method to quantitate TFA and other FA in humans.

Association Between Plasma Trans-Fatty Acid Concentrations and Measures of Glucose Homeostasis and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adults in NHANES 1999-2000.

There is limited evidence on the association between plasma trans-fatty acids (TFAs) and cardiometabolic risk factors. Therefore, we examined the association between plasma TFA concentrations and glucose homeostasis and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in adult Americans from the 1999 to 2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants. Derivatized TFAs were separated by capillary gas chromatography. Of the 1678 participants, 46.5% were men. The mean age was 50.5 years overall, with no significant difference between men and women ( P = .101). In age-, sex- and race-adjusted analyses, mean waist circumference, fat-free mass, fat mass, C-peptide, insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), serum triglycerides (TGs), and total cholesterol (TC) increased across increasing quarters of TFAs (for all P < .001), while mean serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased across increasing quarters of plasma TFAs ( P < .001). In multivariable adjusted linear regressions, there remained significant positive associations between all plasma TFAs and body mass index, waist circumference, fat-free mass, fat mass, C-peptide, insulin, fasting blood glucose, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, TGs, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and TC ( P < .001). In conclusion, our findings support a possible association between plasma TFAs concentrations and measures of glucose homeostasis and several CV risk factors.

Plasma trans-fatty acids levels and mortality: a cohort study based on 1999\u20132000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

BackgroundTrans-fatty acids (TFAs) occur in small amounts in nature but became widely produced by the food industry. The hazardous effects of different TFA subtypes to human health are controversial. We aimed to evaluate the association of plasma TFAs levels (elaidic acid, vaccenic acid, palmitelaidic acid, and linoelaidic acid) with mortality.MethodsUtilizing 1999–2000 Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and linked mortality data, we performed a cohort study with 1456 participants and used Cox proportional hazards models and penalized smoothing spline plots to elucidate the relationships between TFAs and all-cause, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer mortality.ResultsDuring 16,034 person-years of follow-up, a total of 221 deaths occurred. In the multivariate model, including mutual adjustment for the 4 TFA subtypes, elaidic acid associated with higher all-cause mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.18 to 3.40, fourth quartiles versus second quartiles) and CVD mortality (HR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.07 to 2.50, per 10 units increase). Higher palmitelaidic acid levels were associated with increased cancer mortality (HR = 2.91, 95% CI = 1.09 to 7.81, fourth quartiles versus second quartiles). A J-shaped pattern was observed in the regression curve of elaidic acid and all-cause mortality, as well palmitelaidic acid and cancer mortality.ConclusionsPlasma elaidic acid levels are associated with higher risk of all-cause and CVD mortality, and palmitelaidic acid levels are associated with higher cancer mortality in later life. Further studies are needed to investigate current inconsistent results in this field and the possible underlying mechanisms.

The relationship of plasma Trans fatty acids with dietary inflammatory index among US adults

BackgroundIt has been suggested that trans fatty acids (TFAs) play an important role in cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the association between plasma TFAs and the dietary inflammatory index (DII) ™ in US adults.MethodsNational Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants with data on plasma TFAs measured from 1999 to 2010 were included. Energy-adjusted-DII ™ (E-DII ™) expressed per 1000 kcal was calculated from 24-h dietary recalls. All statistical analyses accounted for the survey design and sample weights.ResultsOf the 5446 eligible participants, 46.8% (n = 2550) were men. The mean age of the population was 47.1 years overall, 47.8 years for men and 46.5 years for women (p = 0.09). After adjustment for C-reactive protein, body-mass-index, smoking, race, age, education, and marital status in linear regressions, trans 9-hexadecenoic acid [β coefficient 0.068 (95% CI: 0.032 to 0.188)], trans 11-octadecenoic acid [β coefficient 0.143 (95% CI: 0.155 to 0.310)], trans 9-octadecenoic acid [β coefficient 0.122 (95% CI: 0.120 to 0.277)], trans 9, and trans 12-octadienoic acid [β coefficient 0.103 (95% CI: 0.090 to 0.247)] were positively associated with the DII (all p < 0.001).ConclusionThe association of plasma TFAs with a marker of dietary inflammation suggests an underlying mechanism in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases.

Plasma trans-fatty acid concentrations continue to be associated with metabolic syndrome among US adults after reductions in trans-fatty acid intake

No study examined and compared the association between intake of trans-fatty acids (TFAs) and risk of metabolic syndrome before and after significant reduction of TFA intakes in the US population. We hypothesized that the relationship might remain significant after substantial reduction of TFA intakes in the population. We used data on 1442 and 2233 adults aged ≥20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000 and 2009-2010, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between plasma TFA concentrations and metabolic syndrome, including each of its 5 components. The median plasma TFA concentrations were reduced from 79.8 μmol/L in 1999-2000 to 36.9 μmol/L in 2009-2010. The fully adjusted prevalence ratios comparing the highest vs the lowest quintile of plasma TFA concentrations in 1999-2000 were 3.43 (95% confidence interval, 2.39-4.92) for metabolic syndrome, 1.72 (1.38-2.14) for large waistline, 8.25 (6.34-10.74) for high triglycerides, 1.96 (1.46-2.62) for low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 1.14 (0.85-1.55) for high blood pressure, and 1.48 (1.19-1.85) for high fasting glucose, respectively. The corresponding prevalence ratios in 2009-2010 were 2.93 (2.41-3.54), 1.62 (1.39-1.89), 14.93 (9.28-24.02), 3.09 (2.18-4.37), 1.27 (1.11-1.46), and 1.24 (1.06-1.46), respectively. The pattern of association between TFAs and metabolic syndrome and its components did not differ by cycles. The observed associations were consistent across the subgroups examined. Despite a 54% decline in plasma TFA concentrations from 1999-2000 to 2009-2010, it was positively associated with risk of metabolic syndrome and its individual components except for blood pressure in 1999-2000. Our findings support Food and Drug Administration initiatives to remove TFAs from the industrially-produced foods.

Plasma trans-Fatty Acid Concentrations Continue to Be Associated with Serum Lipid and Lipoprotein Concentrations among US Adults after Reductions in trans-Fatty Acid Intake

Background: High intakes of trans-fatty acids (TFAs), especially industrially produced TFAs, can lead to unfavorable lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. It is unknown how this relation might change in a population after significant reductions in TFA intake.Objective: This study, which used a new analytical method for measuring plasma TFA concentrations, clarified the association between plasma TFA and serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations before and after the US FDA enacted TFA food-labeling regulations in 2006.Methods: Data were selected from the NHANES of 1999-2000 and 2009-2010. Findings on 1383 and 2155 adults, respectively, aged ≥20 y, were evaluated. Multivariable linear regressions were used to examine the associations between plasma TFA concentration and lipid and lipoprotein concentrations. The outcome measures were serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides and the ratio of TC to HDL cholesterol.Results: The median plasma TFA concentration decreased from 80.6 μmol/L in 1999-2000 to 37.0 μmol/L in 2009-2010. Plasma TFA concentration continued to be associated with serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations after significant reductions in TFA intake in the population. For example, by comparing the lowest with the highest quintiles of TFA concentration in 1999-2000, adjusted mean (95% CI) LDL-cholesterol concentrations increased from 118 mg/dL (112, 123 mg/dL) to 135 mg/dL (130, 141 mg/dL) (P-trend < 0.001). The corresponding values for 2009-2010 were 102 mg/dL (97.4, 107 mg/dL) and 129 mg/dL (125, 133 mg/dL) for LDL cholesterol (P-trend < 0.001). Differences between the highest and lowest quintiles were consistent across age groups, sexes, races/ethnicities, and other covariates.Conclusions: Despite a 54% reduction in plasma TFA concentrations in US adults from 1999-2000 to 2009-2010, concentrations remained significantly associated with serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations. There does not appear to be a threshold under which the association between plasma TFA concentration and lipid profiles might become undetectable.

Plasma trans-fatty acid concentrations in fasting adults declined from NHANES 1999–2000 to 2009–20101–3

Background: The consumption of trans fatty acids (TFAs) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and reducing their consumption is a major public health objective. Food intake studies have provided estimates for TFA concentrations in the US population; however, there is a need for data on TFA blood concentrations in the population.Objective: The objective of this study was to determine plasma TFA concentrations in a nationally representative group of fasted adults in the US population in NHANES samples from 1999–2000 and 2009–2010.Design: Four major TFAs [palmitelaidic acid (C16:1n–7t), trans vaccenic acid (C18:1n–7t), elaidic acid (C18:1n–9t), and linoelaidic acid (C18:2n–6t,9t)] were measured in plasma in 1613 subjects from NHANES 1999–2000 and 2462 subjects from NHANES 2009–2010 by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Geometric means and distribution percentiles were calculated for each TFA and their sum by age, sex, and race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, Mexican American), and covariate-adjusted geometric means were computed by using a model that included these demographic and other dietary factors, as well as survey year and any significant interaction terms.Results: These nationally representative data for the adult US population show that TFA concentrations were 54% lower in NHANES 2009–2010 than in NHANES 1999–2000. Covariate-adjusted geometric means for the sum of the 4 TFAs were 81.4 μmol/L (95% CI: 77.3, 85.6 μmol/L) and 37.8 μmol/L (95% CI: 36.4, 39.4 μmol/L) in NHANES 1999–2000 and 2009–2010, respectively. Even with the large decline in TFA concentrations, differences between demographic subgroups were comparable in the 2 surveys.Conclusion: The results indicate an overall reduction in TFA concentrations in the US population and provide a valuable baseline to evaluate the impact of the recent regulation categorizing TFAs as food additives.

Abstract P220: Plasma Trans-fatty Acids and Metabolic Syndrome Among US Adults: Findings From NHANES 1999-2000 and 2009-2010

Background: Previous studies examined the association between trans-fatty acids (TFAs) and individual components of metabolic syndrome, not simultaneously. In addition, no study has examined if the relationship might become undetectable after significant reduction in TFA intakes. Objective: To examine and compare the association between plasma TFA levels and metabolic syndrome before and after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration enacted food labeling regulations for TFAs in 2006. Methods: We used data on 1442 and 2233 adults aged 20 years or older from NHANES 1999-2000 and 2009-2010, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between plasma TFAs concentration and metabolic syndrome and each of its five individual components. Results: The median plasma TFAs level was reduced from 79.8 μmol/L in 1999-2000 to 36.9 μmol/L in 2009-2010. The adjusted prevalence ratios comparing the highest quartile vs. those in the lowest quartiles of plasma TFAs concentration in 1999-2000 were 3.45 (95% confidence interval, 2.42-4.92) for metabolic syndrome, 1.71 (1.37-2.13) for large waistline, 8.45(6.62-10.77) for high triglycerides level, 1.96 (1.48-2.59) for low HDL cholesterol level, 1.14 (0.85-1.52) for high blood pressure, and 1.49 (1.19-1.85) for high fasting blood sugar, respectively. The corresponding adjusted prevalence ratios in 2009-2010 were 2.92 (2.41-3.54), 1.62 (1.40-1.88), 15.10 (9.39-24.30), 3.09 (2.19-4.37), 1.27 (1.11-1.47), and 1.24 (1.06-1.46), respectively. The observed associations were consistent across age groups, sexes, race-ethnicities, education, dietary intake, physical activity, body mass index, and statin use categories. Conclusions and Relevance: Plasma TFAs concentration was positively associated with risk of metabolic syndrome and its individual components except for blood pressure in 1999-2000. Our findings support initiatives to remove TFAs from industrially-produced foods.

Circulating concentrations and relative percent composition of trans fatty acids in healthy Canadian young adults between 2004 and 2010: a cross-sectional study.

Trans fatty acids (TFAs) produced from industrial partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils have been the subject of much research regarding their negative effect on the development of chronic diseases, and recommendations to label foods with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and limit their levels were introduced in Canada in 2003 and 2007, respectively. Our aim was to determine temporal changes in circulating plasma TFAs in a population of young healthy Canadian adults after the introduction of the guidelines. In this study, circulating plasma concentrations and relative percent composition of individual TFAs over time (2004-2010) were determined in a cross-sectional cohort of young healthy Canadian adults as part of the Toronto Nutrigenomics study. A total of 1294 participants were included in the cohort. Relative to 2004, total TFA levels were significantly lower in 2005-2009 (p < 0.05), but not in 2010. Although levels of 16:1t9 and 18:1t11 declined after 2004, levels of 18:1t9 and 18:1t10 were significantly lower in 2005-2009 (p < 0.05), but not in 2010. Trans fatty acids were lower in 2009 relative to 2004, but not different in 2010, suggesting that young Canadians may remain vulnerable to partially hydrogenated vegetable oil exposure and that there is a need for further monitoring of specific food categories and vulnerable populations.

Further Decline of Trans Fatty Acids Levels Among US Adults Between 1999–2000 and 2009–2010

To investigate differences in levels of plasma trans fatty acids (TFAs) and a broad set of other markers for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in the US adult population between 1999-2000 and 2009-2010. Using a nationally representative sample of US adults aged 20 years and older from the 1999-2000 and 2009-2010 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, regression models were estimated to compare levels of TFAs and other markers for CVD risk over time. Significant declines in levels of plasma TFAs and improvements in a variety of other markers for CVD risk were observed in the US adult population. Between the 2 time points, 1999-2000 and 2009-2010, there were substantial decreases in TFA levels and improvements in several other important cardiovascular health indicators in US adults.

Trans Fatty Acids in Plasma, Serum, and Red Blood Cells

Trans‐fatty acids (TFA) intake was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about TFA concentrations in human blood. Studies suggested that individuals with the same fatty acid (FA) intake may have different concentrations of regular FA in red blood cells (RBC), plasma, and serum due to a number of factors including genetics and lifestyle. This created the need to assess TFA concentrations in different blood specimens from people to obtain information about TFA exposure and metabolism. We investigated the TFA distribution in RBC, plasma, and serum using convenience samples from 66 adults. Samples were analyzed using an isotope dilution‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry method validated for the analysis of 28 FA, including the 4 major TFA: palmitelaidic acid, elaidic acid, vaccenic acid, and linoelaidic acid. The TFAs were detected in all samples, with median total TFA concentrations of 21.12 μM in RBC, 17.86 μM in plasma, and 20.88 μM in serum. The median percent of total TFA was similar for elaidic and vaccenic acids in all three matrices. The median percent of total TFA was 1/3 lower in the RBC than in the plasma and serum for palmitelaidic acid and half as high for linoelaidic acid in RBC as in plasma and serum. The differences in TFA distributions suggest differences in metabolism of individual TFA.

There is no Relationship with Plasma Fatty Acid Levels in New Zealanders with Severe Coronary Artery and Mortality

Background: Objective measures of fatty acid intakes such as tissue levels of fatty acids more accurately reflect dietary intake compared to food frequency questionnaires. This study describes plasma fatty acid levels in New Zealanders with significant coronary artery disease and the relationship with mortality at 7.5 years. Methods: This is prospective observational study. Fasting plasma samples were taken in in 420 consecutive patients with angiographic diagnosis of severe coronary disease requiring coronary artery bypass surgery. Plasma levels of fatty acids were measured by gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry. Mortality data was obtained by accessing details of the most recent contact with health professionals, review of clinical notes and the National Health Index database and death certificates. Results: The mean age of participants was 68 (± 10) years and 83% were male. Saturated fats were 46.5 (± 1.2) %, unsaturated fats were 51.8 (± 1.3%) %, trans fatty acids 1.1 (± 0.69) % of total fats. Ruminant transfatty acids made up 67% of total plasma trans fatty acids. Saturated fats and ruminant trans fatty acids levels were not associated with increased total mortality (hazard ratio 0.93 (0.75 to 1.16) p=0.53 and.14 (0.85 to 1.53) p=0.39 respectively or cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratios 0.93 (0.75 to 1.16) p=0.53 and 0.91 (0.61 to 1.37, p=0.66). Conclusion: Saturated and trans fatty acid levels in this population are higher than expected from food frequency questionnaires. More than two thirds of transfatty acids are from dairy food and meat. Neither saturated fats nor transfatty acids are associated with increased cardiovascular and total mortality.

Increase of the Plasma Trans-fatty Acid Level in Middle-aged Japanese Men with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Increase of the Plasma Trans-fatty Acid Level in Middle-aged Japanese Men with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Plasma phospholipid trans fatty acids and risk of heart failure

Although trans fatty acids (TFAs) may increase the risk of dyslipidemia and coronary artery disease (CAD), limited data are available on their association with heart failure (HF). Our goal was to assess associations of plasma and dietary TFAs with HF and CAD. We used a prospective, nested case-control design to select 788 incident HF cases and 788 matched controls from the Physicians' Health Study for biomarker analyses and a prospective cohort for the dietary analyses. Plasma fatty acids were assessed by using gas chromatography, and dietary intake was estimated by using a food-frequency questionnaire. Self-reported HF was ascertained by using annual follow-up questionnaires with validation in a subsample. We used conditional logistic (or Cox) regression to estimate multivariable-adjusted ORs (or HRs) for HF and CAD. Multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for HF across consecutive quintiles of plasma trans 18:2 (linoleic acid) fatty acids were 1.0 (reference), 1.10 (0.79, 1.54), 0.88 (0.62, 1.25), 0.71 (0.49, 1.02), and 0.67 (0.45, 0.98) (P-trend = 0.01). Each SD of plasma trans 18:2 was associated with a 22% lower risk of HF (95% CI: 6%, 36%). Plasma trans 16:1 and 18:1 were not associated with risk of HF (P > 0.05). Dietary trans fats were not associated with incident HF or CAD. Our data are consistent with a lower risk of HF with higher concentrations of plasma trans 18:2 but not with trans 16:1 or trans 18:1 fatty acids in male physicians. Dietary TFAs were not related to incident HF or CAD.

Plasma concentrations of trans fatty acids in persons with type 2 diabetes between September 2002 and April 2004

transFatty acids (TFAs) increase cardiovascular disease risk. TFAs and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the food supply may be declining with reciprocal increases in cis-monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and saturated fatty acids (SFAs). We sought to determine whether plasma 18-carbon TFA and PUFA concentrations might decrease over time and whether there might be reciprocal increases in plasma cis-MUFAs and SFAs. We studied 305 persons (171 women) taking part in Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes), a randomized trial of lifestyle intervention for weight loss to reduce major cardiovascular events in overweight and obese adults (aged 45-76 y) with type 2 diabetes who also participated in an ancillary study of oxidative stress. This study was a cross-sectional analysis of TFAs, cis-MUFAs, SFAs, and PUFAs measured in plasma before intervention (September 2002-April 2004). In a model that included demographic characteristics, plasma total fatty acid concentration, BMI, serum insulin, statin use, season, and longitudinal time trend (R(2) = 0.167, P < 0.0001), plasma TFAs decreased by 13.5%/y (95% CI: -22.7, -3.2%/y; absolute decrease 7.0 mg · L(-1) · y(-1); 95% CI: -12.5, -1.6 mg · L(-1) · y(-1); P = 0.012). This longitudinal trend was not significantly altered by further adjustment for dietary variables and physical activity. In contrast, longitudinal trends for PUFAs, cis-MUFAs, and SFAs were weak and not significant. This change in plasma concentrations of TFAs is consistent with changes in fatty acid composition that food manufacturers are likely to have made to avoid declaring TFAs on food labels. Further research will be needed to determine the overall effect of these changes on cardiovascular risk. The Look AHEAD trial is registered at clinicaltrials.govas NCT00017953.

Abstract P409: Both Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference are Adversely Associated with Exposure to Trans-fatty Acids in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes

Trans-fatty acids (TFA) increase cardiovascular disease risk and have been associated with the cardiovascular risk factors body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (waist) in persons without diabetes. Whether TFA are associated with BMI and waist in persons with type 2 diabetes is unknown. We investigated the association between TFA exposure as indicated by plasma concentrations of 18-carbon TFA and BMI and waist. We studied persons randomized into Look AHEAD at two clinics (Baltimore, n=81; Houston, n=151) who participated in a substudy assessing physical activity and an ancillary study of oxidative stress and completed the Look AHEAD Food Frequency Questionnaire (LAFFQ). Look AHEAD is a multi-center controlled trial of lifestyle intervention for weight loss in overweight or obese adults (aged 45-76) with type 2 diabetes. Representation of women (57%) and minorities (18.1% black, 8.2% Hispanic, 3.9 % other race/ethnicity) was similar to Look AHEAD. Before intervention, weight, height, and waist were measured, BMI was calculated, nutrients were estimated from LAFFQ, and physical activity was determined by accelerometry. TFA, saturated (SFA) and cis-monounsaturated (c-MFA) fatty acids were measured before intervention in plasma collected between December 2002 and April 2004. TFA intake in subjects was high (median 2.4% of energy, interquartile range 1.9%, 3.0%). In models adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, clinic, sampling time, physical activity, and plasma total fatty acid concentration, BMI (p=0.0004) and waist (p=0.0018) varied according to plasma TFA concentration. For lowest, middle, and highest tertiles of plasma TFA, BMI was (mean+SE) 33.0+0.9, 36.9+0.9, and 36.6+0.9 kg/m 2 , respectively, while waist was 108.4+1.9, 115.8+1.9, and 114.8+2.0 cm, respectively. These associations were not attenuated by sequential adjustment for plasma SFA and c-MFA concentrations and for dietary variables including TFA, total fat, SFA, oleic acid, protein and total calories. These results extend findings concerning TFA exposure and BMI and waist circumference to persons with type 2 diabetes and are consistent with the notion that reducing TFA exposure may reduce cardiovascular risk in persons with type 2 diabetes.

Abstract 17328: Frequency of Consumption of French Fries Is a Strong Predictor of Plasma Trans-Fatty Acids in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes

Trans -fatty acids (TFA) increase cardiovascular disease risk. However, relative contribution of foods to plasma TFA concentrations is unknown in persons with type 2 diabetes. We investigated how seven food sources of TFA (French fries, doughnuts, biscuits, nondairy creamer, chips, pretzels, and margarine on bread) were related to plasma 18-carbon TFA. Our population included persons randomized into Look AHEAD at two clinics (Baltimore, n=92; Houston, n=177) who participated in an ancillary study of oxidative stress and completed the Look AHEAD Food Frequency Questionnaire (LAFFQ). Look AHEAD is a multi-center controlled trial of lifestyle intervention for weight loss in overweight or obese adults (aged 45-75) with type 2 diabetes. Representation of women (57%) and minorities (18.6% AA, 8.2% Hispanic, 4.1% other race/ethnicity) was similar to Look AHEAD. TFA were measured before intervention in plasma collected between December 2002 and April 2004. Nutrients and eating frequency of food sources of TFA were determined from LAFFQ before intervention. In models with single sources of TFA adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, clinic, sampling time, and plasma total fatty acid concentration, eating frequency of French fries (p&lt;0.01) and doughnuts (p=0.03) and margarine on bread (p=0.02) were significant predictors of log-transformed fasting plasma TFA (model R-square = 0.49 to 0.50) whereas eating frequency of biscuits, nondairy creamer, chips, and pretzels were not. Results were similar after further adjusting for body mass index, total dietary fat, dietary saturated fat, total calories, physical activity, serum insulin, and statin use. In a similarly adjusted model also mutually adjusting for all seven TFA sources (model R-square = 0.54), French fries was the only TFA food source that remained significantly associated with plasma log-transformed TFA (p&lt;0.005). Compared with ≤ once per month (lowest tertile), eating French fries ≥ twice per week (highest tertile) was associated with about 10% increase in log-transformed fasting plasma TFA. These results both emphasize the importance of continued efforts to reduce TFA in French fries and suggest frequency of eating French fries as a useful measure of modifiable TFA exposure.

Plasma Levels of trans‐Fatty Acids are Low in Exclusively Breastfed Infants of Adolescent Mothers

The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of trans-octadecenoic acid (C18:1-trans) and trans-isomers of linoleic acid (18:2-trans), as well as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), in the plasma from infants of adolescent mothers at 3 months of age, exclusively breastfed, and the relationship with the levels of the same isomers in plasma and milk of the mothers. Samples of blood and mature milk were obtained from 49 healthy adolescent mothers and their exclusively breastfed infants treated at the Instituto Fernandes Figueira-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IFF-FIOCRUZ) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. trans-Fatty acids (TFA) were analyzed by gas chromatography. The results of this study showed low levels of TFA in milk (1.53%), maternal plasma (0.50%), and plasma of infants (0.74%). The results show that, although TFA have been found in the plasma of the studied infants, the LC-PUFA levels are kept within normal limits. No association between TFA presence and parameters of nutritional status of the infants was observed, probably due to the low levels of these fatty acids found in this study.