Conjugated linoleic acids: why the discrepancy between animal and human studies?
Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid. In animals, CLA consumption reduces body fat but results in humans are less conclusive. This review of the literature on CLA and loss of body fat or body weight in humans was conducted to explore the reasons for the discrepancy between animal and clinical trials. It indicates that the incongruity between human and animal data is largely related to methodological differences in the experimental design, including age and gender and, to a lesser extent, to CLA dose and isomers. The relatively unknown metabolic fate of CLA in humans may also be a contributing factor that helps explain the lack of consistency for CLA efficacy across studies.
Plourde
Mélanie
M
Research Center on Aging and Departments of Medicine, and Physiology and Biophysics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada. melanie.plourde2@usherbrooke.ca
Jew
Stephanie
S
Cunnane
Stephen C
SC
Jones
Peter Jh
PJ
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007536:Isomerism; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013045:Species Specificity
D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated