Supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid and inflammation: a feasibility trial

Cavina, Marcella; Battino, Maurizio; Gaddi, Antonio Vittorino; Savo, Maria Teresa; Visioli, Francesco

doi:10.1080/09637486.2020.1802581

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…ALA (0.9–3.4 g/day) was added to the diet of 81 overweight‐to‐obese patients with metabolic syndrome. After 6 months of diet intervention, vascular function, and inflammation were improved, including the decrease in CRP expression, TNF‐α, IL‐6, sICAM‐1, sE‐selectin, YKL‐40, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (Cavina, Battino, Gaddi, Savo, & Visioli, 2021; Egert et al, 2014). A trial showed that compared to ordinary cheese, cheese (90 g/day) supplemented with ALA (2.1%) could improve plasma lipid distribution and reduce the synthesis of endocannabinoids in 42 patients with mild hypercholesterolemia (Pintus et al, 2013).…”

Section: Pharmacological Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Low‐dose ALA‐rich diglyceride (1.25 g/day) had no therapeutic effect (Yamanaka et al, 2016). Another trial showed that both high‐dose ALA (3.4 g/day) and low‐dose ALA (0.9 g/day) could improve vascular function and inflammation in 81 overweight‐to‐obese patients with metabolic syndrome by decreasing the expression of CRP, TNF‐α, IL‐6, sICAM‐1, sE‐selectin, YKL‐40, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (Cavina et al, 2021; Egert et al, 2014). Moreover, A clinical study involving 30 healthy subjects showed that ALA (6 g/day) induced adverse gastrointestinal reactions, including flatulence, bloating, stomachache, and stomach spastic (Austria et al, 2008).…”

Section: The Effect Of the Dose Is Not Negligiblementioning

confidence: 99%

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The review of alpha‐linolenic acid: Sources, metabolism, and pharmacology

Yuan

Xie

Huang

et al. 2021

Phytotherapy Research

102

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α‐linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n‐3) is a carboxylic acid composed of 18 carbon atoms and three cis double bonds, and is an essential fatty acid indispensable to the human body. This study aims to systematically review related studies on the dietary sources, metabolism, and pharmacological effects of ALA. Information on ALA was collected from the internet database PubMed, Elsevier, ResearchGate, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, and Europe PMC using a combination of keywords including “pharmacology,” “metabolism,” “sources.” The following findings are mainly contained. (a) ALA can only be ingested from food and then converted into eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the body. (b) This conversion process is relatively limited and affected by many factors such as dose, gender, and disease. (c) Pharmacological research shows that ALA has the anti‐metabolic syndrome, anticancer, antiinflammatory, anti‐oxidant, anti‐obesity, neuroprotection, and regulation of the intestinal flora properties. (d) There are the most studies that prove ALA has anti‐metabolic syndrome effects, including experimental studies and clinical trials. (e) The therapeutic effect of ALA will be affected by the dosage. In short, ALA is expected to treat many diseases, but further high quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of ALA.

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Section: Pharmacological Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Effect Of the Dose Is Not Negligiblementioning

confidence: 99%

The review of alpha‐linolenic acid: Sources, metabolism, and pharmacology

Yuan

Xie

Huang

et al. 2021

Phytotherapy Research

102

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“…It is important to underline that the largely negative outcomes of the most recent, i.e., since 2007, trials should not undermine the recommendation to regularly consume fish or plant sources of ALA [ 108 , 109 ]. Several reasons may, in fact, explain the lack of effect reported by the most recent trials of supplementary fish oil [ 110 , 111 ], notably: (a) as opposed to the early trials, such as the GISSI-Prevenzione, cardiopathic patients currently receive highly effective multi-drug pharmacological treatments; the effect of adding omega 3 fatty acids “on top” of these treatments is likely very small; (b) the fatty acid profiles of RCT patients have been almost never evaluated: some subjects could benefit more than others from treatment with omega 3 (for example, those with low basal blood levels of these fatty acids) [ 103 ].…”

Section: Dietary Fats: Why We Need Them?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other evidence indicative of the cardioprotective effects of ALA come from epidemiological data linking high consumption of ALA-rich foods, such as walnuts [ 134 , 135 ], flaxseed [ 136 ], and some seed oils [ 137 ]. Currently, large-scale primary or secondary prevention trials are missing, and, in summary, the cardiovascular actions of ALA have been poorly explored and remain to be fully elucidated [ 109 ].…”

Section: Dietary Fats: Why We Need Them?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Risk. Evidence, Lack of Evidence, and Diligence

Visioli

Poli²

2020

Nutrients

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One of the most controversial areas of nutrition research relates to fats, particularly essential fatty acids, in the context of cardiovascular disease risk. A critical feature of dietary fatty acids is that they incorporate into the plasma membrane, modifying fluidity and key physiological functions. Importantly, they can reshape the bioavailability of eicosanoids and other lipid mediators, which direct cellular responses to external stimuli, such as inflammation and chronic stress conditions. This paper provides an overview of the most recent evidence, as well as historical controversies, linking fat consumption with human health and disease. We underscore current pitfalls in the area of fatty acid research and critically frame fatty acid intake in the larger context of diet and behavior. We conclude that fundamental research on fatty acids and lipids is appropriate in certain areas, but the rigor and reproducibility are lacking in others. The pros and cons are highlighted throughout the review, seeking to guide future research on the important area of nutrition, fat intake, and cardiovascular disease risk.

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“…They definitely reduce triglyceride concentrations and are very useful in familiar hypertriglyceridemia. They also have anti-inflammatory actions, which could be shared by alphalinolenic acid (ALA) [17], although studies on this fatty acid are suggestive but scarce [18]. As inflammation is one of the main contributors to degenerative diseases, frequent intake of EPA and DHA could contribute to a better prognosis [19].…”

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confidence: 99%