Effect of long-chain fatty acids on low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol metabolism.
The concentration of cholesterol in the low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) fraction of plasma is one of the major risk factors for coronary heart disease. Steady-state concentrations of LDL cholesterol in the plasma are determined primarily by the production rate and the rate of removal of LDL cholesterol from the circulation by receptor-dependent transport. The magnitude of these two processes is affected by the type of fatty acid in the diet. Saturated fatty acids with 14 and 16 carbon atoms suppress receptor-dependent LDL-cholesterol transport into the liver, increase the LDL-cholesterol production rate, and raise the plasma LDL-cholesterol concentration. The 9-cis 18:1 fatty acid restores receptor activity, lowers the production rate, and decreases the plasma LDL-cholesterol concentration. In contrast with these fatty acids, the 18:0 and 9-trans 18:1 fatty acids are biologically inactive and so do not change the circulating LDL-cholesterol concentration.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas 75235-8887.
L A
LA
Woollett
J M
JM
Dietschy
D000818:Animals; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000032:analysis; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides