Effects of trans- and n-3 unsaturated fatty acids on cardiovascular risk markers in healthy males. An 8 weeks dietary intervention study

Abstract

Background: Studies of long-term intake of industrially produced trans fatty acids (TFA) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) suggest opposite effects on cardiovascular disease risk. Common mechanisms of action are probable. Objective: To examine the effects on cardiovascular risk markers of dietary enrichment with TFA or n-3 PUFA. Design: Randomized, double-blind, parallel intervention trial. Setting: Department of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University. Subjects: In all, 87 healthy males included, 79 completed. Intervention: Subjects were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of a daily intake of 33 g of experimental fats from either partially hydrogenated soy oil containing 20 g of TFA, 12 g of fish oil with approximately 4 g of n-3 PUFA and 21 g of control fat, or 33 g of control fat. The experimental fats were incorporated into bakery products. Plasma lipids, blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV), arterial dilatory capacity, compliance, and distensibility were recorded before and after intervention and at follow-up 12 weeks after the intervention. Results: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased in the TFA group and triglycerides and mean arterial blood pressure decreased in the n-3 PUFA group compared to the control group. HRV, arterial dilatory capacity, compliance, and distensibility were unchanged. Conclusion:The results indicate that the association between coronary heart disease risk and intake of TFA and n-3 PUFA relates only modestly to changes in traditional risk markers.

Influence of n-3 fatty acids on cardiac autonomic activity among Nunavik Inuit adults

“…A positive association between n-3 PUFAs and HRV has been observed in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) (7), in those with coronary heart disease (8,9) as well as in healthy subjects (10)(11)(12)(13). In contrast, no changes in HRV parameters were observed in some studies conducted among healthy subjects (14)(15)(16) and haemodialysis patients (17). Regarding HR, a beneficial impact of n-3 PUFAs has been observed among coronary artery disease patients (18) and among healthy subjects (3,19,20).…”

Association of Serum n-3/n-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Ratio With T-Wave Alternans in Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease

“…18) Previous studies have examined the influence of n-3 PUFAs on autonomic activity analyzed by the power spectral and time-domain methods. [19][20][21][22][23] Some studies showed a positive association between n-3 PUFAs and HRV in patients with ischemic heart disease 19) and, in those with dilated cardiomyopathy 20) as well as in healthy subjects. 21) In contrast, no changes in HRV parameters were observed in some studies conducted among healthy subjects and haemodialysis patients.…”

Fatty Acids as Biocompounds: Their Role in Human Metabolism, Health and Disease - A Review. Part 1: Classification, Dietary Sources and Biological Functions

“…Trans FA are of exogenous origin. Their atherogenic effect 44 is assumed to be greater than that of SFA. Also, trans MFA are twice as active in raising LDL-cholesterol and decreasing HDL-cholesterol than SFA.…”