Effects of products made from a high-palmitic acid, trans-free semiliquid fat or a high-oleic acid, low-trans semiliquid fat on the serum lipoprotein profile and on C-reactive protein concentrations in humans.
BACKGROUND
Many studies have shown that trans fatty acids have unfavorable effects on the serum lipoprotein profile. In general, however, fats were compared with different functional characteristics, which lower the practical applications of the results.


OBJECTIVE
The major aim of this study was to compare the effects of a high-palmitic acid, trans-free semiliquid fat with those of a high-oleic acid, low-trans semiliquid fat on the serum lipoprotein profile of healthy subjects.


METHODS
Forty-four subjects (33 women and 11 men) consumed, in random order, two experimental diets, each for 3 weeks. Diets provided 40 energy percent (En%) from fat, while 15 En% was supplied by the experimental fats. At the end of each intervention period, concentrations of serum lipoproteins, C-reactive protein, glucose and insulin were measured.


RESULTS
When subjects consumed the high-oleic acid, low-trans semiliquid fat, intakes of stearic acid (+1.3 En%), oleic acid (+2.9 En%), alpha-linolenic acid (+0.1 En%) and trans fatty acids (+0.6 En%) were higher and that of palmitic acid (-4.2 En%) lower. Serum concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased by 0.34+/-0.39 mmol/l (mean+/-s.d.; 95% confidence interval (CI), -0.46 to -0.23 mmol/l; P<0.001) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by -0.06+/-0.17 mmol/l (95% CI, -0.11 to -0.01 mmol/l; P=0.021). Also, the total to HDL cholesterol ratio was lower (-0.15+/-0.34; 95% CI, -0.25 to -0.05; P=0.006). Other parameters did not change.


CONCLUSIONS
A high-oleic acid, low-trans semiliquid fat has a more favorable effect on the serum lipoprotein profile than a trans-free semiliquid fat with comparable functional characteristics, but high in palmitic acid.
Mensink
R P
RP
Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. R.Mensink@hb.unimaas.nl
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019301:Oleic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019308:Palmitic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D044242:Trans Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D044242:Trans Fatty Acids; D019301:Oleic Acid; D019308:Palmitic Acid; D002097:C-Reactive Protein