title: [Supply, metabolism and biological effects of trans-isomeric fatty acids in infants].
abstract: Consumption of trans-fatty acids increased markedly during this century due to the widespread use of partially hydrogenated fats. A sensitive analytical method was developed which enables the precise determination of 7 trans-isomers in small sample volumes. With this method we documented the materno-fetal transfer of trans-fatty acids across the human placenta. The content in human milk depends on maternal diet and is lower in Germany than in the Sudan. The distribution in fore- and hind-milk, in milk fat fractions and within the triglyceride molecule was determined. The content of trans-fatty acids is lower in commercial and home-made infant formulae than in human milk, although there is a certain batch to batch variation in formulae. Infants absorb dietary trans-isomers and incorporate them into endogenous lipids, subcutaneous tissue and cell membranes. Trans-fatty acids in plasma lipids are significantly higher in infants fed human milk than in those fed formulae. African children have a lower exposure than Germans. The relative contribution of trans-octadecenoic acid is lower in plasma sterol esters than in triglycerides and phospholipids, pointing to a negative selectivity of plasmatic cholesterol esterification with this fatty acid. Thus, a high supply of trans-octadecenoic acid might have negative effects on the cholesterol levels. In premature infants we found an inverse correlation between trans-fatty acid exposure and birthweight, thus interference with intrauterine growth appears possible. A possible causative factor could be impaired biosynthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids by trans-isomers, for which we found strong indications. The results of our investigations the question whether the consumption of trans-fatty acids in pregnant and lactating women and in infants is nutritionally safe.
authors.affiliation: Kinderklinik der Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koletzko
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000032:analysis*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D009549:Nigeria; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013397:Sudan; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D014280:Triglycerides
vernacular_title: Zufuhr, Stoffwechsel und biologische Wirkungen trans-isomerer Fettsäuren bei Säuglingen.