Levels Of Vaccenic Acid Research Articles

The shift in the fatty acid composition of the circulating lipidome in Alzheimer's disease.

Fatty acids (FAs) are the building blocks of complex lipids and signaling compounds; the role of the lipidome fatty acid profile (LFA) in AD progression remains unclear. The LFA of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 289 participants (103 AD patients, 92 MCI patients, and 94 controls) was determined by GC-FID. The MCI subjects were followed up for 58±12.5 months. In controls, CSF has a more neuroprotective LFA than plasma. In CSF, a higher content of docosahexaenoic acid was associated with a reduced risk of MCI-to-AD progression. In plasma, higher oleic acid content was associated with lower risk of AD, MCI, and MCI-to-AD progression, whereas higher levels of vaccenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were associated with greater risk of AD and MCI, and higher rate of MCI-to-AD progression, respectively. The circulating LFA is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of AD. The lipidome fatty acid profile in CSF and plasma was markedly different. Higher levels of vaccenic acid and lower levels of oleic acid in plasma were associated with greater risk of Alzheimer's disease. In plasma, higher levels of oleic acid were associated with a reduced risk of MCI-to-AD progression. Higher levels of docosahexaenoic acid in CSF were associated with a lower risk of MCI-to-AD progression. Higher levels of docosahexaenoic acid in plasma were associated with a greater rate of MCI-to-AD progression.

High Vaccenic Acid Content in Beef Fat Attenuates High Fat and High Carbohydrate Western Diet Induced Changes in Lipid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in Pigs.

High-fat diets (HFD) have been shown to induce substantial shifts in intestinal microbial community composition and activity which are associated with adverse metabolic outcomes. Furthermore, changes in microbial composition are affected by fatty acid composition; saturated, monounsaturated (MUFA), and industrial trans fats (iTFA) adversely affect microbial diversity while polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) have been shown to have neutral effects. The effects of naturally occurring trans fats on gut microbial composition are unknown. Vaccenic acid (VA) is the most abundant naturally occurring trans fat (abundant in meat and dairy), can be elevated by altering a cow’s diet, and has been shown to have hypolipidemic effects. The aim of this study was to determine how variations of VA content in beef fat affect gut microbial composition, insulin resistance, and lipid metabolism in pigs. Low birth weight (LBW) and control pigs were fed a control or high-fat, high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet supplemented with beef fat containing either high or low VA levels for 7 weeks. An adapted modified oral glucose tolerance test and fat challenge test were performed at 9 weeks of age following implantation of jugular catheters. Impacts on microbial composition were assessed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The HFHC diet containing beef fat rich in VA had a mild insulin sensitizing effect (p < 0.05, slope of curve), increased plasma HDL cholesterol (p < 0.05, +28%), reduced postprandial plasma TG (p < 0.05), and showed protection from HFHC-induced changes to gut microbial composition in LBW pigs as compared to HFHC diet containing standard beef fat. This is the first study to show effects of natural trans fats on gut dysbiosis; further studies are needed to elucidate mechanisms.

Similar fatty acid status of plasma lipids in postmenopausal women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and those receiving aromatase inhibitor therapy

Background/Aim. Dysregulation of fatty acid (FA) metabolism is recognized as a component of malignant trans-formation in many cancers, including breast cancer (BC), and is often related to disease progression and prognosis. Adjuvant endocrine BC therapy using aromatase inhibitors may also influence FA metabolism. Thus, the aim of our study was to compare plasma total lipids FA status in newly diagnosed postmenopausal patients with BC and in postmenopausal women with BC receiving aromatase inhibitors at least 2 years after completing chemotherapy with healthy women. Methods. The study included 17 newly diagnosed postmenopausal BC patients (ND group) and 21 postmenopausal women with BC receiving aromatase inhibitor therapy 2 years after ending chemotherapy (AI group), while a total of 15 apparently healthy women without a family history of BC, comparable in age and body mass index, served as a control group. Results. In both patient groups, we found significantly lower levels of vaccenic acid (18:1n-7), alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n-6), and docosapentae-noic acid (22:5n-3), and a significantly higher level of di-homo-gamma-linolenic (20:3n-6), when compared with the control group. On the other hand, a significantly lower level of stearic acid (18:0) was observed only in AI patients, while the level of linoleic acid (18:2n-6) was significantly higher in ND women than in the control group. Reduced estimated activities of D6 and D5 desaturases were found in both patient groups than in the control group. Conclusion. Our results indicate that FA profiles of plasma lipids of the newly diagnosed, untreated BC patients are very similar to those of cured BC patients who underwent all sessions of chemotherapy and received aromatase inhibitors for at least two years. Additionally, according to our results, their FA profiles markedly differ from those of healthy women. Therefore, supplementation with omega-3 FA and GLA could have beneficial effects in these patients, and further studies should address the potential clinical benefits of the supplementation.

Addition of Palm Oil in Diet of Dairy Ewes Reduces Saturates Fatty Acid and Increases Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Milk

Background: Sheep milk production is becoming an important alternative in the agricultural sector. It is used principally to produce fine cheeses, yogurts, and ice creams, and these produced from sheep’s milk are beneficial to human health. Previous study with palm oil shows increase in fat levels in sheep’s milk. Our hypothesis for increased fat in milk is that palm oil increases lipid metabolism as well as tissue reserves. Sheep consuming this palm oil will have a change in the fatty acid profile of milk, increasing levels of unsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as fatty acid profile of milk these ewes fed of palm oil.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: Thirty-six lactating sheep were divided in four groups (n = 9), with each group receiving various concentrations of palm oil in diet (0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% which corresponds to T 0, 2, 4 and 6, respectively). The diets in each treatment were isoproteic and isoenergetic. The experiment lasted 120 days, and blood and milk samples were collected on days 60 and 12 of the experiment. Blood was collected for seric analysis of lipid metabolism. Was collected milk samples and analyzed the content of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). An increase (P &lt; 0.05) in triglyceride and coleterol levels in the serum of the animals that received the highest concentrations of palm oil in the diet (T4 and T6). The centesimal composition of fat, lactose, and protein in milk was not different at days 60 and 120 (P &gt; 0.05) between groups, but numerically the animals in T4 and T6 had higher percentage of fat in milk. A decrease in milk SFA levels was observed on day 120 at T6. There was a significant reduction in caproic acid, caprylic acid, hendecanoic acid, lauric acid, and pentadecyl acid. The levels of palmitic acid (C16:0) increased when compared with the control group. Also at 150 days, it was observed a reduction in the percentage of area capric acid and myristic acid in animals that had higher doses of calcium salts in the diet, different from stearic acid, which increased. A variability in MUFA levels was observed during the evaluated periods, i.e. heptadecenoic acid decreased on days 60 and 120 for animals of T6; an increased content of elaidic acid was observed on day 60, and levels of vaccenic acid decreased on day 120 at 6% palm oil. A decrease in PUFA levels was observed on day 60 at T6, specifically a significant reduction in alpha-linolenic and arachidonic acid, as well as levels of conjugated linoleic acid 1 decreased on day 120 for animals supplemented with 6% of palm oil.Discussion: The addition of plama oil in the diet of dairy sheep increased seric levels of triglycerides and cholesterol, as well as positively altered the composition of fatty acids in milk, making a product healthier to the consumer. This study showed that the addition of 2% and 4% palm oil in the feed of dairy sheep promoted a decrease in several SFAs associated with coronoary heart disease after 60 days of treatment. On the other hand, the addition of 6% palm oil promoted an increase of total SFA levels after 60 days of treatment, while decreaseing total PUFA levels. This can be considered harmful to consumers, since several SFA are associated with coronary heart diseases, and several PUFA are linked with reductions in inflammation, stroke, oxidative stress and hepatic disorders. In summary, the consumption of sheep milk who received the diets with 2% and 4% of palm oil can exert beneficial effects for consumers, and may be an option for farmers to increase the milk yield of sheep, and to reduce the profile of saturated fatty acids in milk.

CLA-producing adjunct cultures improve the nutritional value of sheep cheese fat

The influence of the autochthonous CLA-producing Lactobacillus plantarum TAUL 1588 and Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei SS 1644 strains and the ripening time on the fatty acid (FA) content and sensory characteristics of sheep cheese were investigated. Three cheese types with different cultures and the control cheese were produced in duplicate and ripened for 8 months. 86 individual FA were determined by gas chromatography. Ripening time (2, 90, 180 and 240 days) did not have a significant effect (P > .05) on the FA content. However, the presence of both Lactobacillus CLA-producing strains led to a decrease of the saturated FA content and to 1.30, 1.19 and 1.27 times higher levels of vaccenic acid, CLA and omega-3, respectively, when compared to the control cheese. This combination allowed obtaining sheep milk cheeses with a healthier FA content, without appreciable changes on sensory characteristics. This work could be a promising approach to increase the bioactive fatty acid content of cheeses.

The content of conjugated linoleic acid and vaccenic acid in the breast milk of women from Gdansk and the surrounding district, as well as in, infant formulas and follow-up formulas. nutritional recommendation for nursing women.

Fatty acids are some of the most important components of human milk. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential nutrients required for the optimal growth and development of infants, especially the central nervous system, brain and retina.AimTo determine the conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) and vaccenic acid (VA) content of human breast milk from mothers consuming different diets, and to compare the results with CLA and VA levels in infant formulas (IF) and follow-up formulas (FF).Material and methodsFifty healthy mothers were classified according to their diet status into one of two groups: diet low in dairy products and conventional diet without limiting the intake of dairy products. Dietary intake of dairy fat was determined based on 3-day food diaries. Fatty acid (FA) composition in samples were analyzed by High Resolution Gas Chromatography (HR-GC).ResultsIn the group of 20 mothers whose diets were deficient in dairy products, the average CLA content of breast milk fat was determined to be 0.27% of total FA, the VA 0.36%. In the group of 30 women consuming dairy products, the average content of CLA and VA in breast milk fat was statistically significantly higher: 0.49% and 0.69% of total FAs, respectively. In the fat of the IF and FF tested (n=11) only trace amounts of both FA were found.ConclusionThe results of the study indicate that CLA and VA concentrations of human milk can be influenced by diet. It is recommended that the source of these FAs in the diet of breastfeeding women are natural products and not dietary supplements. The majority of commercially available IF and FF do not contain sufficient amounts of CLA and VA, and that their FA composition is deficient in comparison with breast milk fat.

Alteration of Rumen Bacteria and Protozoa Through Grazing Regime as a Tool to Enhance the Bioactive Fatty Acid Content of Bovine Milk.

Rumen microorganisms are the origin of many bioactive fatty acids (FA) found in ruminant-derived food products. Differences in plant leaf anatomy and chemical composition between cool- and warm-season pastures may alter rumen microorganisms, potentially enhancing the quantity/profile of bioactive FA available for incorporation into milk. The objective of this study was to identify rumen bacteria and protozoa and their cellular FA when cows grazed a warm-season annual, pearl millet (PM), in comparison to a diverse cool-season pasture (CSP). Individual rumen digesta samples were obtained from five Holstein cows in a repeated measures design with 28-day periods. The treatment sequence was PM, CSP, then PM. Microbial DNA was extracted from rumen digesta and sequence reads were produced with Illumina MiSeq. Fatty acids (FA) were identified in rumen bacteria and protozoa using gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Microbial communities shifted in response to grazing regime. Bacteria of the phylum Bacteroidetes were more abundant during PM than CSP (P < 0.05), while protozoa of the genus Eudiplodinium were more abundant during CSP than PM (P < 0.05). Microbial cellular FA profiles differed between treatments. Bacteria and protozoa from cows grazing CSP contained more n-3 FA (P < 0.001) and vaccenic acid (P < 0.01), but lower proportions of branched-chain FA (P < 0.05). Microbial FA correlated with microbial taxa and levels of vaccenic acid, rumenic acid, and α-linolenic acid in milk. In conclusion, grazing regime can potentially be used to alter microbial communities shifting the FA profile of microbial cells, and subsequently, alter the milk FA profile.

Using blood near infrared spectra from steers to classify fat and meat samples with low or high levels of vaccenic acid

Near infrared spectroscopy on steer blood was tested to discriminate between subcutaneous fat and longissimus thoracis samples with low or high levels of vaccenic acid. One day prior slaughter, blood samples from steers were harvested and near infrared spectra were collected on both whole blood and red blood cells. At slaughter, samples of subcutaneous fat and longissimus thoracis were collected and vaccenic acid content was analyzed by gas chromatography. Partial least squares discriminant analyses based on whole blood and red blood cell near infrared spectra were applied to classify subcutaneous fat and longissimus thoracis samples according to their content of vaccenic acid (low or high). Based on the results from the partial least squares discriminant analyses, subcutaneous fat and longissimus thoracis samples with low or high content of vaccenic acid could be discriminated from the blood near infrared spectra with accuracy from 74 to 95%. Application of near infrared spectroscopy technology on steer blood may have potential as early screening of live animals based on low or high levels of vaccenic acid in subcutaneous fat or longissimus thoracis.

Effects of coconut oil on glycemia, inflammation, and urogenital microbial parameters in female Ossabaw mini-pigs.

Forty percent of American women are obese and at risk for type II diabetes, impaired immune function, and altered microbiome diversity, thus impacting overall health. We investigated whether obesity induced by an excess calorie, high fat diet containing hydrogenated fats, fructose, and coconut oil (HFD) altered glucose homeostasis, peripheral immunity, and urogenital microbial dynamics. We hypothesized that HFD would cause hyperglycemia, increase peripheral inflammation, and alter urogenital microbiota to favor bacterial taxonomy associated with inflammation. We utilized female Ossabaw mini-pigs to model a ‘thrifty’ metabolic phenotype associated with increased white adipose tissue mass. Pigs were fed HFD (~4570 kcal/pig/day) or lean (~2000 kcal/pig/day) diet for a total of 9 estrous cycles (~6 months). To determine the effect of cycle stage on cytokines and the microbiome, animals had samples collected during cycles 7 and 9 on certain days of the cycle: D1, 4, 8, 12, 16, 18. Vaginal swabs or cervical flushes assessed urogenital microbiota. Systemic fatty acids, insulin, glucose, and cytokines were analyzed. Pig weights and morphometric measurements were taken weekly. Obese pigs had increased body weight, length, heart and belly girth but similar glucose concentrations. Obese pigs had decreased cytokine levels (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10), arachidonic acid and plasma insulin, but increased levels of vaccenic acid. Obese pigs had greater urogenital bacterial diversity, including several taxa known for anti-inflammatory properties. Overall, induction of obesity did not induce inflammation but shifted the microbial communities within the urogenital tract to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. We postulate that the coconut oil in the HFD oil may have supported normal glucose homeostasis and modulated the immune response, possibly through regulation of microbial community dynamics and fatty acid metabolism. This animal model holds promise for the study of how different types of obesity and high fat diets may affect metabolism, immune phenotype, and microbial dynamics.

Palatability of Beef from Cattle Fed Extruded Flaxseed before Hay or Mixed with Hay

This study was undertaken to evaluate the eating quality of longissimus thoracis steaks and hamburgers (80/20 gluteus medius to perirenal fat) with enhanced profiles of potentially healthy fatty acids. The profile of health favorable fatty acids (n-3, vaccenic and rumenic) was improved in beef by feeding co-extruded flaxseed (flaxseed, peas, and alfalfa) and alfalfa-grass hay as a total mixed ration (TMR), and further enhanced by feeding co-extruded flaxseed before alfalfa-grass hay (Non-TMR). Compared to TMR, feeding steers the Non-TMR resulted in tougher steaks (P &lt; 0.05) with lower beef flavor (P &lt; 0.01) and greater off-flavor (P &lt; 0.01) intensity to an extent that might be detectable by consumers. High levels of trans-monounsaturated fatty acids, mainly of vaccenic acid, were associated with a fishy off-flavor, although actual changes in flavor may relate to correlated combined effects of conjugated fatty acids, atypical dienoic acids and ɑ-linolenic acid. Diet had no significant effect on sensory attributes of hamburgers, but when panelists described off-flavors, they noted more ‘other’ off-flavors (P &lt; 0.05) with fishy and stale/cardboard notes being more prominant in Non-TMR hamburgers. Overall, beef samples with threshold levels of vaccenic acid over 6.12% of total fatty acids resulting from feeding flaxseed products, while of potentially greater health benefit, may pose challenges in terms of eating quality. Areas worthy of further investigation to ensure acceptable eating quality might be the influence of ageing on antioxidant capacity in beef with enhanced fatty acid profiles, and the potential use of protective packaging to limit deterioration.

WYSTĘPOWANIE NIENASYCONYCH KWASÓW TŁUSZCZOWYCH TYPU TRANS (ELAIDYNOWEGO I WAKCENOWEGO) W MLEKU KOBIECYM

The structure of trans unsaturated fatty acids (TFAs) includes at least one double bond with a trans configuration. Numerous studies have shown that TFAs influence negative changes in blood lipid profile, may initiate or accelerate the course of many inflammatory diseases, and reduce n-6 and n-3 fatty acids' utilization. Their presence in tissues and systemic fluids is mainly the result of ingestion of TFA-containing foods. The objective of this study was to determine the concentration profiles of elaidic and vaccenic acids in human milk, and the existence of potential correlations between the levels of trans-unsaturated fatty acids and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. The study group consisted of 53 lactating women, aged 18-39 years, 5-6 weeks after delivery. Elaidic and vaccenic acid levels were determined in human milk. Fatty acid methyl esters were injected onto the capillary column of an Agilent 6890M gas chromatography system integrated with an autosampler. Geometrical and positional isomers of fatty acids were identified by comparing their retention times with those of the fatty acid standards from Sigma-Aldrich. The content of individual fatty acids was determined from the reference curves and expressed in mg/mL. The level of elaidic acid was 0.2572 ± 0.1811 mg/mL, and the level of vaccenic acid was 0.2736 ± 0.1852 mg/mL. No negative correlations between the levels of the analyzed TFAs and PUFAs were observed in human milk. The levels of elaidic and vaccenic acid were similar and had no negative influence on the levels of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.

ELAIDIC ACID AND VACCENIC ACID IN THE PLASMA OF PREGNANT WOMEN AND UMBILICAL BLOOD PLASMA

The studies suggest that trans fatty acids are the most harmful type of fatty acids, and their ingestion leads to an increase in oxidative stress, changes in the plasma levels of LDL cholesterol, and a reduction in n-6 and n-3 fatty acids utilization. The objective of this study was to determine the concentration profiles of elaidic and vaccenic acids in maternal blood plasma in the perinatal period, and in the plasma of blood collected from the umbilical vein. The article deals with the issue of the correlation between the levels of trans-unsaturated fatty acids in maternal and neonatal blood, which could suggest the transplacental transport of these acids. The potential correlations between the levels of trans-unsaturated fatty acids in maternal and umbilical blood and birth weight and body length in neonates was also verified. The study group comprised 53 pregnant patients of the Clinic of Obstetrics and Perinatology of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, aged 18-39 years, together with their newborn babies. Elaidic and vaccenic acid levels were determined in maternal and umbilical plasma. Fatty acid methyl esters were injected onto the capillary column of the Agilent 6890M gas chromatography system integrated with an autosampler. The content of individual fatty acids was determined from the reference curves and expressed in mg/mL. The lowest levels of both acids were observed in umbilical blood plasma. The level of elaidic acid was 0.0019 mg/mL ± 0.0013 mg/mL, while the level of vaccenic acid was 0.0007 mg/mL ± 0.0011 mg/mL. A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between maternal vaccenic acid levels and umbilical vaccenic acid levels. The presence of trans-unsaturated fatty acids (elaidic acid and vaccenic acid) in umbilical plasma is evidence of the transplacental transport of these acids. The significantly higher levels of elaidic acid compared to vaccenic acid in umbilical plasma suggests that vaccenic acid is more extensively metabolized in placenta. The levels of trans-unsaturated fatty acids had no effect on birth weight and body length in neonates.

New Nordic Diet versus Average Danish Diet: A Randomized Controlled Trial Revealed Healthy Long-Term Effects of the New Nordic Diet by GC–MS Blood Plasma Metabolomics

A previous study has shown effects of the New Nordic Diet (NND) to stimulate weight loss and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure in obese Danish women and men in a randomized, controlled dietary intervention study. This work demonstrates long-term metabolic effects of the NND as compared with an Average Danish Diet (ADD) in blood plasma and reveals associations between metabolic changes and health beneficial effects of the NND including weight loss. A total of 145 individuals completed the intervention and blood samples were taken along with clinical examinations before the intervention started (week 0) and after 12 and 26 weeks. The plasma metabolome was measured using GC-MS, and the final metabolite table contained 144 variables. Significant and novel metabolic effects of the diet, resulting weight loss, gender, and intervention study season were revealed using PLS-DA and ASCA. Several metabolites reflecting specific differences in the diets, especially intake of plant foods and seafood, and in energy metabolism related to ketone bodies and gluconeogenesis formed the predominant metabolite pattern discriminating the intervention groups. Among NND subjects, higher levels of vaccenic acid and 3-hydroxybutanoic acid were related to a higher weight loss, while higher concentrations of salicylic, lactic, and N-aspartic acids and 1,5-anhydro-d-sorbitol were related to a lower weight loss. Specific gender and seasonal differences were also observed. The study strongly indicates that healthy diets high in fish, vegetables, fruit, and whole grain facilitated weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity by increasing ketosis and gluconeogenesis in the fasting state.

Adipose tissue and muscle fatty acid profiles of steers fed red clover silage with and without flaxseed

The current study examined the effects of inclusion of flaxseed in a red clover silage diet on growth, carcass quality, adipose tissue and muscle fatty acid (FA) profiles of beef steers. Twelve British×Continental crossbred steers (363±26.5kg) were randomly assigned to two pens and fed diets containing 70% red clover silage, 15% steam rolled barley/vitamin–mineral supplement and either additional 15% steam rolled barley or 15% triple rolled flaxseed (all DM basis) for 215d. Diet had no effect (P>0.05) on average daily gain or carcass quality atributes. Overall, FA profiles in all tissues followed similar trends when flaxseed was added to the diet but intramuscular fat had the highest proportions of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) while subcutaneous fat had largest proportions of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and perirenal fat had the highest proportions of trans-18:1 isomers, particularly vaccenic acid (VA). Feeding flaxseed increased (P<0.05) percentages of α-linolenic acid (ALA; 1.1–1.6% of total FA), total n-3 PUFA, conjugated linolenic acids, non-conjugated linoleic acids (mostly t11,c15-18:2), and led to unprecedented increases in CLA (mainly rumenic acid, RA; 1.1–2.9%), and trans-18:1 isomers (chiefly VA; 5.9–9.5%) in muscle and adipose tissues. Flaxseed also reduced individual and total n-6 PUFA, cis-monounsaturated FA, branched-chain FA and saturated FA (mainly 16:0) in beef lipids. Overall, feeding flaxseed in a red clover silage diet enhanced the levels of FA with a positive health image (ALA, 2-fold; RA, 3 to 4-fold and VA, 4 to 5-fold) and reduced the levels of less desirable FA (n-6 PUFA; 14:0, 16:0) in muscle and adipose tissues without adverse effects on growth and carcass quality. Differences in tissue FA composition were also noted, and high levels of VA in perirenal fat in particular have potential for use in testing for health effects and development of value added beef and other food products.

Vaccenic acid in serum triglycerides is associated with markers of insulin resistance in men

Serum triglyceride levels are associated with metabolic disorders; however, it remains unclear whether the fatty acid (FA) composition of triglycerides is also changed. Although there were no differences in circulating triglyceride levels between normoglycaemic-normoinsulinaemic and hyperglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic men, inspection of individual FA revealed that vaccenic acid was enriched with hyperglycaemia-hyperinsulinaemia. Moreover, vaccenic acid levels were positively correlated with insulin and HOMA-IR. This reinforces that examination of individual FA in the context of insulin resistance is warranted.

Fatty acid composition in chronic heart failure: low circulating levels of eicosatetraenoic acid and high levels of vaccenic acid are associated with disease severity and mortality

Free fatty acids (FFAs) are the major energy sources of the heart, and fatty acids (FAs) are active components of biological membranes. Data indicate that levels of FAs and their composition may influence myocardial function and inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether total levels and composition of FAs and FFAs in plasma are altered in clinical heart failure (HF) and whether any alterations in these parameters are correlated with the severity of HF. Plasma from 183 patients with stable HF was compared with plasma from 44 healthy control subjects. Our main findings are as follows: (i) patients with HF had decreased levels of several lipid parameters and increased levels of FFAs in plasma, compared with controls, which were significantly correlated with clinical disease severity. (ii) Patients with HF also had a decreased proportion in the plasma of several n-3 polyunsaturated FAs, an increased proportion of several monounsaturated FAs, and a decreased proportion of some readily oxidized long-chain saturated FAs. (iii) These changes in FA composition were significantly associated with functional class, impaired cardiac function (i.e., decreased cardiac index and increased plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels) and enhanced systemic inflammation (i.e., increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels). (iv) Low levels of C20:4n-3 (eicosatetraenoic acid) and in particular high levels of C18:1n-7 (vaccenic acid) were significantly associated with total mortality in this HF population. Our data demonstrate that patients with HF are characterized by a certain FA phenotype and may support a link between disturbed FA composition and the progression of HF.

Lamb meat quality and intramuscular fatty acid composition as affected by concentrates including different legume seeds

The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of concentrates including legume seeds (Vicia faba var. minor or Pisum sativum) on lamb performances and meat quality, emphasizing the intramuscular fatty acid composition. Thirty lambs (14.5±3.45 kg live weight) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: i) group fed on concentrate including 400 g/kg of peas (PEA); ii) group fed on concentrate including 380 g/kg of faba bean (FB); iii) group fed on concentrate including 180 g/kg of soybean meal (SBM). Growth and slaughter performances were not affected by treatments as well as physical and proximate chemical meat characteristics. FB and SBM meat showed higher (P<0.001) vaccenic acid levels compared to PEA meat. Oleic acid was higher (P<0.05) in PEA meat compared to SBM meat while its level in FB meat was similar to counterparts. Linoleic acid levels tended to increase (P<0.10) in SBM lambs compared with PEA animals. PEA group showed higher (P<0.001) α-linolenic acid proportions compared with FB and SBM groups and a tendentially higher (P<0.10) eicosapentaenoic acid content compared with SBM meat. As a result, total n-3 fatty acids were higher (P<0.05) in PEA meat compared to SBM one while the proportions in FB meat were at intermediate level. These findings accounted for a lower and more favourable (P<0.001) n-6/n-3 ratio in PEA group compared with counterparts. Peas based-concentrate seemed to be more effective than faba bean- or soybean meal-included concentrates to improve the acidic profile of meat leading to higher α-linolenic acid levels and a lower n-6/n-3 ratio.

Incorporation of conjugated linoleic acid and vaccenic acid into lipids from rat tissues and plasma

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine the incorporation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) into triacylglycerols (TAG) and phospholipids (PL) of tissues and plasma, and to interpret the role of dietary‐derived vaccenic acid (VA) in increasing the tissue content of CLA (c9,t11) and the influence on the fatty acid profile. We fed five groups of rats semi‐purified diets with varying levels of CLA and VA: control butter with low CLA (c9,t11) and VA; control butter added 5% CLA (c9,t11); control butter added 5% Tonalin [equal amount of CLA (c9,t11) and CLA (t10,c12)]; control butter added 5% VA; butter with high CLA (c9,t11) and VA (H‐CLA), for 3 weeks. The highest incorporation of CLA (c9,t11) was found in adipose tissue, and the lowest was observed in liver. Low intake of CLA (c9,t11) combined with high intake of VA resulted in a higher incorporation of CLA (c9,t11) in tissues due to the conversion of VA to CLA (c9,t11), compared to feeding CLA (c9,t11) without VA. However, in enterocytes, the proportion of CLA (c9,t11) was low after feeding VA, indicating no or only a minor conversion of VA to CLA (c9,t11) in the intestine. The incorporation of CLA (t10,c12) into TAG from plasma and tissues was generally much lower than that of the CLA (c9,t11) isomer, except in the enterocyte TAG, which had similar proportions of the two isomers.

CONCENTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACIDS AND TRANS‐FATTY ACIDS IN SMALL RUMINANT MILK AND MEAT LIPIDS

ABSTRACT Proximate composition and fatty‐acid profile including conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) were determined in milk and longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles of small ruminants. Milk from crossbred (Dorset × Suffolk) ewes contained significantly higher levels of protein, fat and ash than those from Nubian goats. In LD muscles, the ash content in Boer goats was significantly higher than in crossbred lambs. Levels of vaccenic acid were not different in the LD muscles from the two different species or in the milk samples .The CLA cis‐9, trans‐11 was not different in milk from the two species, whereas it was higher (P &lt; 0.05) in the LD muscles from goats compared with those from lambs. CLA trans‐10, cis‐12 in caprine milk was lower (P &lt; 0.05) than that in ovine milk, but no differences were found in the LD muscles from the two species. Findings indicated that goat meat might provide healthier fatty‐acid profiles than lamb.

Managing Mediterranean pastures in order to enhance the level of beneficial fatty acids in sheep milk

This paper updates our knowledge on the effects of the botanical composition and management of Mediterranean pastures on the fatty acid composition of sheep milk and cheese. It focuses on the effects of the forage species and its phenological phase on: (i) the fatty acid profile of the forage, and (ii) the milk fatty acid composition. Here we refer specifically to putatively beneficial fatty acids (mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)), including conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, C18:2 c-9, t-11) and vaccenic acid (C18:1 t-11). A database was set up compiled from the results of various studies carried out by our research group and this was statistically analysed. Both the forage species ( P < 0.05) and its phenological phase ( P < 0.08) affected the content of linoleic acid, a precursor of CLA in the forage. The PUFA level in milk was higher in ewes grazing pure legumes and grass–legume mixtures than in those grazing pure grass pastures. When the pasture mixture also contained a daisy plant ( Chrysanthemum coronarium), the CLA and vaccenic acid levels were even higher. Linoleic (C18:2; c-9, c-12) linolenic (C18:3; c-9, c-12, c-15) CLA (C18:2; c-9, t-11) and vaccenic acid (C18:1; t-11) levels in milk decreased from the vegetative (early-mid lactation) to the reproductive phase (late lactation). The Δ 9 desaturase activity (estimate by C14:1/C14:0 ratio), which is involved in the conversion of vaccenic acid to CLA in the mammary gland, supports the hypothesis that the lower the substrate supply the higher the endogenous CLA synthesis. Finally, no marked differences were found in the fatty acid composition of milk and cheese from dairy sheep. Guidelines for managing the nutrition of grazing sheep to increase the unsaturated fatty acid content in milk are discussed.