Factors related to the plasma fatty acid profile in healthy subjects, with special reference to antioxidant micronutrient status: a multivariate analysis

Abstract

The plasma lipid fatty acid (FA) profile was measured in 83 healthy subjects (35 men, 48 women; ages 18-82 y). The association of 19 variables (including serum antioxidant micronutrients) with saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), essential (EFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) status was assessed by stepwise multiple-linear regression. Serum selenium was directly associated with percent EFA and n-6 PUFA (r = 0.38, P = 0.0004 for both) and inversely related to percent SFA in phospholipids (r = -0.38, P = 0.0004). Serum selenium was the only predictor of the unsaturation index of this fraction (r = 0.45, P = 0.0000). Although associations of plasma FA pattern with age, serum cholesterol, bilirubin, vitamin E, and zinc were also disclosed, only for selenium did the antioxidant effect seem to explain this relationship. These results suggest that antioxidant micronutrients should be measured when PUFA metabolism is studied. The relationship between plasma FA and antioxidant micronutrients in disease states needs further research.

Selenium supplementation does not improve vascular responsiveness in healthy North American men

“…Serum Se was positively correlated with serum total cholesterol in a study of healthy men and women in the United Kingdom (29) and in Korean women under the age of 40 yr (38). Two studies in Europe reported significant positive associations of serum Se with serum polyunsaturated fat (10,44). However, we observed no effect of Se Values are means Ϯ SD; n, number of men.…”

Fatty acid abnormalities in chronic pancreatitis: effect of concomitant diabetes mellitus

“…Selenium could be implicated in the peroxisomal beta oxidation, which is increased with the dietary selenium content (Glauert et al, 1990). Moreover, in healthy subjects, serum selenium was the only variable predictive of the unsaturated index of plasma phospholipids (Cabre et al, 1992).…”

The Effect of Dietary Intervention Through the Modification of Fatty Acids Composition and Antioxidant Vitamin Intake on Plasma TXB Level in Korean Postmenopausal Women with Hypercholesterolemia

“…When PUFAs metabolism is studied, antioxidants should be measured because lipid peroxides, formed by the peroxidation of PUFAs, may be important in the development of atherosclerosis and thrombosis (12,43,44). It has also been suggested b �a that oxidized LDL may enhance the progression of atherosclerotic lesions by increasing platelet adhesion and aggregation, triggering thrombosis and impairing vasodilatation (45).…”

“…Many nutritionists, to this day, continue to show interest in the fatty acids composition of lipids in humans, especially in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) derivatives. This is due to the role of PUFAs in maintaining the fluidity and function of cell membranes and the role of PUFAs as precursors of eicosanoids (8). Many studies have shown that long-chain saturated fatty acids (SFAs) accelerate thrombus formation, whereas PUFAs do not, and the PUFA/SFA (P/S) ratio is an important determinant of thrombogenicity (9,10).…”