Trans, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vascular function-a yin yang situation?
Trans fatty acids (TFA) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have opposite effects on several biological functions. We report a study on the effects on risk markers for cardiovascular disease. Eighty-seven healthy males were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of daily intake of either 20 g of industrially produced TFA (IP-TFA), 4 g n-3 PUFA, or control fat, incorporated in bakery products as part of the daily food. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased in the TFA-group, triglycerides and mean arterial blood pressure decreased in the n-3 group. Heart rate variability (HRV), arterial dilatory capacity, flow mediated vasodilation, compliance, and distensibility were unchanged. Post hoc, we did a subgroup analysis of the results from the subjects with normal initial HRV. In these, 24-h heart rate (HR) was significantly increased by approximately three beats/min in the TFA group, with a decrease of the same magnitude in the n-3 group. A high HR is associated to an increased mortality and vice versa. Our results thus support the notion that IP-TFA and n-3 PUFA affect risk for cardiovascular mortality via mechanisms not only related to changes in plasma concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins.
Dyerberg
Jørn
J
Capio Diagnostics Ltd., Copenhagen, Denmark. jdcon@post4.tele.dk
Christensen
Jeppe H
JH
Eskesen
Dorte
D
Astrup
Arne
A
Stender
Steen
S
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D044242:Trans Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D044242:Trans Fatty Acids; D014280:Triglycerides