Affiliation:
1. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Bethesda Maryland USA
2. National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Bethesda Maryland USA
3. National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center Bethesda Maryland USA
4. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Bethesda Maryland USA
5. National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging Bethesda Maryland USA
Abstract
AbstractThe linoleic acid (LA)‐arachidonic acid (ARA)‐inflammatory axis suggests dietary LA lowering benefits health because it lowers ARA and ARA‐derived endocannabinoids (ECB). Dietary LA reduction increases concentrations of omega‐3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and DHA derived ECB. The aim of this study was to examine targeted reduction of dietary LA, with and without EPA and DHA, on plasma EPA and DHA and ECB (2‐arachidonoyl glycerol [2‐AG], anandamide [AEA], and docosahexaenoyl ethanolamide [DHA‐EA]). Healthy, pre‐menopausal women (n = 62, BMI 30 ± 3 kg/m2, age 35 ± 7 years; mean ± SD) were randomized to three 12‐week controlled diets: (1) high LA, low omega‐3 EPA and DHA (H6L3); (2) low LA, low omega‐3 EPA and DHA (L6L3); or (3) low LA, high omega‐3 EPA and DHA (L6H3). Baseline plasma fatty acids and ECB were similar between diets. Starting at 4 weeks, L6L3 and L6H3 lowered plasma LA compared to H6L3 (p < 0.001). While plasma ARA changed from baseline by 8% in L6L3 and −8% in L6H3, there were no group differences. After 4 weeks, plasma EPA and DHA increased from baseline in women on the L6H3 diet (ps < 0.001) and were different than the H6L3 and L6L3 diets. No differences were found between diets for AEA or 2‐AG, however, in L6L3 and L6H3, AEA increased by 14% (ps < 0.02). L6H3 resulted in 35% higher DHA‐EA (p = 0.013) whereas no changes were seen with the other diets. Lowering dietary LA did not result in the expected changes in fatty acids associated with the LA‐ARA inflammatory axis in women with overweight and obesity.
Funder
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Institute on Aging
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Subject
Cell Biology,Organic Chemistry,Biochemistry