Association of fatty acid composition in serum phospholipids with metabolic syndrome and arterial stiffness

Kim, O.Y.; Lim, H.H.; Lee, M.J.; Kim, J.Y.; Lee, J.H.

doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2011.06.006

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Association of fatty acid composition in serum phospholipids with metabolic syndrome and arterial stiffness

O.Y. Kim
- Yonsei University Research Institute of Science for Aging, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Clinical Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics Lab, Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-dong, Sudaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea
- These two authors contributed equally to this work as primary authors.
H.H. Lim
- Clinical Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics Lab, Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-dong, Sudaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea
- These two authors contributed equally to this work as primary authors.
M.J. Lee
- Clinical Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics Lab, Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-dong, Sudaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea
J.Y. Kim
- Yonsei University Research Institute of Science for Aging, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Clinical Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics Lab, Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-dong, Sudaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea
J.H. Lee
- Yonsei University Research Institute of Science for Aging, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Clinical Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics Lab, Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-dong, Sudaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea
- Corresponding author. Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-dong, Sudaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea. Tel.: +82 2 2123 3122; fax: +82 2 364 9605.

Received 27 October 2010; received in revised form 19 April 2011; accepted 17 June 2011. published online 19 September 2011.
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Abstract

Background and aim

We examined the association of fatty acid (FA) composition in serum phospholipids with the features of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and arterial stiffness.

Methods

Korean men (n=593, 30–79yrs) were categorized based on the number of MetS risk factors (RFs) and measured for the markers of MetS, serum phospholipid FA composition and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), an index for the severity of arterial stiffness.

Results

Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), baPWV, LDL size, and adiponectin were significantly altered corresponding to the number of MetS RFs. The proportions of total monounsaturated FA, palmitoleic acid (16:1), oleic acid (18:1ω-9) and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA, 20:3ω-6) in serum phospholipids, and DGLA/linoleic acid (LA) (20:3ω-6/18:2ω-6), deta9-desaturase activity (D9D-16: 16:1/16:0 and D9D-18: 18:1ω-9/18:0) significantly increased corresponding to the number of MetS RFs, but D5D (20:4ω-6/20:3ω-6) decreased. baPWV positively correlated with HOMA-IR, palmitic acid (16:0), oleic acid, D6D (18:3ω-6/18:2ω-6), DGLA/LA and D9D-18, and negatively with adiponectin, LDL size, LA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6ω-3) and D5D. Multiple stepwise regression models revealed that baPWV was significantly influenced by systolic blood pressure, age, body weight, triglyceride and LA in serum phospholipids (R²=0.378). Interestingly, baPWV (1419±1cm/s) and MetS (22%) were highest in individuals with lower proportion of LA (<12.361%) and higher proportion of DGLA (≥1.412%) in serum phospholipid FAs.

Conclusion

The features of MetS significantly related to serum phosopholipid FA composition. Particularly, arterial stiffness was associated with LA additively together with DLGA. It may suggest a potential benefit of sufficient amounts of LA in serum or in diet can reduce cardiovascular risk.

Keywords: Fatty acids in serum phospholipids, Linoleic acid, Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, Metabolic syndrome, Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity