Individual fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes are associated with several features of the metabolic syndrome in obese children

Abstract

Our data suggest that omega-6 FA, and especially AA, could be protective toward CV risk factors featuring the MetS and also to indexes of hepatic steatosis in obese children, whereas SFA seems to exert opposite effects.

Fatty Acid Profile and Desaturase Activities in 7–10-Year-Old Children Attending Primary School in Verona South District: Association between Palmitoleic Acid, SCD-16, Indices of Adiposity, and Blood Pressure

“…We repeated the analysis in the subgroup of Caucasian children with weight excess (n = 55) in order to further investigate the role of PA and of the estimated D6D activity and to test the possible replication of the results of our previous study, conducted in a sample of Caucasian overweight and obese children [3]. In this subgroup, in line with our previous findings, palmitic acid and D6D showed direct correlations with most anthropometric indices and BP (Table 5).…”

“…The main hypothesis of this observational study was that polyunsaturated fatty acids could be beneficially associated with cardiovascular risk factors in contrast to a harmful association of saturated fatty acids. In particular, we previously observed that palmitic acid, a saturated FA, and the estimated D6D activity were harmfully associated with several components of the Metabolic Syndrome, whereas arachidonic acid, an omega-6 polyunsaturated FA, and the estimated D5D activity were beneficially associated [3]. Our results highlight that 7-10-year-old students have low levels of omega-3 FA, reflecting scanty dietary intake.…”

“…The quality of fatty acids introduced by diet can influence the development of excess weight and other cardiovascular risk factors. Previous findings and guidelines [1,2], and also recent work from our group in a sample of Caucasian obese children, found a harmful association of saturated fatty acids (FA), in particular palmitic acid (PA), with several cardiovascular risk factors characterizing Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [3]. In our previous sample of obese children, omega-6 FA, especially arachidonic acid, were inversely associated with the features of the MetS and NAFLD, suggesting a possible protective effect.…”

Possible Role of CYP450 Generated Omega-3/Omega-6 PUFA Metabolites in the Modulation of Blood Pressure and Vascular Function in Obese Children

“…Interestingly, DiHOME, the diols derived from LA via CYP450 and sEH metabolism, showed a direct correlation with diastolic BP in NBP but not in HBP, suggesting that they negatively affect vascular stiffness and BP but only in normotensive obese children. Very little is known about the actions of EpOMEs and DiHOMEs; first data indicated a toxic effect of EpOME and probably of DiHOME that could be dose-dependent; they also could affect cardiac contractility but the results are not always consistent [ 12 , 13 ]. On the other hand, a recent study has proposed a possible protective effect of 12,13-DiHOME on metabolic profile, due to its action on brown adipose tissue uptake of fatty acids [ 52 ].…”

“…Furthermore, omega-3 PUFA may improve vascular function, that is, arterial stiffness and endothelial function, as supported by some studies and meta-analysis [ 10 , 11 , 12 ], suggesting a possible, at least partial, BP lowering effect of omega-3 PUFA. We have recently shown, in the same study population, that omega-6 PUFA and in particular AA are inversely associated with several features of the metabolic syndrome in a sample of obese children, suggesting their possible protective role [ 13 ].…”