Factor analysis of fatty acids in serum lipids as a measure of dietary fat quality in relation to the metabolic syndrome in men.
BACKGROUND
A specific fatty acid (FA) composition in plasma lipid esters is related to the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and may influence the development of the MetS.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to define and study FA factors as measures of dietary fat quality and endogenous FA metabolism in relation to MetS.


METHODS
Principal factor analysis was performed to define specific FA factors in men participating in a population-based cohort study-the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men. The factors were generated at ages 50 (n = 2009) and 70 (n = 576) y, and relations between FA factors and MetS (National Cholesterol Education Program) were studied in cross-sectional and prospective (20 y) analyses.


RESULTS
The factor analysis generated 3 major FA factors: a low-linoleic acid (LA) factor, a dietary saturated FA factor, and an n-3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) factor. All factors differed between those subjects with MetS (n = 281 of 2009) and those without MetS at age 50 y; only the low-LA factor differed at age 70 y, which suggests an association between MetS and fat quality. The low-LA factor (odds ratio: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.28, 1.79; P < 0.0001) and the n-3 PUFA factor (0.76; 0.64, 0.90; P < 0.001) predicted MetS development over 20 y, independent of smoking habits, physical activity, and BMI.


CONCLUSIONS
The generated FA factors, which presumably represent dietary fat quality and endogenous FA metabolism, may be important in the development of MetS. This finding supports current dietary recommendations to increase PUFA intakes and restrict saturated FA intakes.
Warensjö
Eva
E
Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. eva.warensjo@pubcare.uu.se
Sundström
Johan
J
Lind
Lars
L
Vessby
Bengt
B
D000368:Aged; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000032:analysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000592:standards; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase / Q000378:metabolism; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D019787:Linoleic Acid; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase