title: Inflammatory markers are not altered by an eight week dietary alpha-linolenic acid intervention in healthy abdominally obese adult males and females.
abstract: Atherogenesis is thought to be mediated by local and/or systemic production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and omega-3 fatty acids have been implicated in reducing these inflammatory markers. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of an isocaloric diet supplemented with a plant-based dietary omega-3 fatty acid [alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)] on interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Subjects included healthy adult males and females (approximately 79% female, average age 38 years) with increased waist circumference (mean WC=99 cm) and body mass index (mean BMI=29.8 kg/m(2)) who were free of chronic disease, not taking medications, and sedentary. Control subjects (n=24) did not to alter their habitual diet and the ALA group (n=27) followed an enriched ALA diet by using flaxseed oil capsules (increasing ALA to 5% of total energy intake) and lowered their dietary fat consumption by a commensurate amount. Fasting blood samples were obtained before and after the 8-week intervention. We found no significant changes in the inflammatory factors after this 8-week dietary intervention. This study suggests there are no beneficial effects of an 8-week ALA intervention on these inflammatory factors among young, healthy, overweight/obese subjects whose inflammatory factors are not significantly elevated.
authors.affiliation: Human Performance Clinical/Research Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, 223 Moby, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USA. tnelson@cahs.colostate.edu
authors.forename: Tracy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hickey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid