Plasma fatty acid composition is associated with the metabolic syndrome and low-grade inflammation in overweight adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Together with adiposity, plasma fatty acid (FA) composition can modulate the development of the metabolic syndrome (MS).


OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to investigate the relations of FA composition in plasma phospholipids and cholesterol esters (CEs) with weight status, MS, and inflammation in adolescents.


METHODS
Plasma FA composition was measured by gas-liquid chromatography in 120 (60 normal-weight and 60 overweight) 12-y-old adolescents. We also measured the presence of MS, insulin resistance with the homeostasis model assessment, and interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein concentrations in the adolescents.


RESULTS
MS was present in 25% of the overweight adolescents but in none of the normal-weight adolescents. Compared with overweight adolescents, normal-weight adolescents had lower saturated FAs (SFAs) in both phospholipids (P < 0.001) and CEs (P < 0.01) and higher docosahexaenoic acid in phospholipids (P < 0.001). In overweight subjects, FA composition was associated with MS features independent of body fat. The odds ratios of MS for a 0.1 increase in the ratio of polyunsaturated FAs (PUFA) to SFAs (PUFA:SFA) were 0.91 in phospholipids (P = 0.03) and 0.90 in CEs (P = 0.06). In phospholipids, PUFA:SFA and linoleic acid were associated positively with HDL cholesterol (P < 0.01 for both). PUFA:SFA in phospholipids and CEs were associated inversely with interleukin 6 (P < 0.05 for both). Eicosapentaenoic acid in phospholipids (P = 0.06) and CEs (P < 0.05) and linolenic acid in CEs (P < 0.05) were inversely related to C-reactive protein. These relations remained significant after adjustment for the waist-to-hip ratio. No significant relation between FA composition and the homeostasis model assessment was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma FA composition is associated with weight status in healthy adolescents. High intake of long-chain PUFAs, especially n-3 PUFAs, may protect obese subjects against MS and low-grade inflammation as early as adolescence.
Klein-Platat
Carine
C
EA 1801, Louis Pasteur University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
Drai
Jocelyne
J
Oujaa
Mohamed
M
Schlienger
Jean-Louis
JL
Simon
Chantal
C
D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*
D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010743:Phospholipids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein