Conjugated linoleic acid isomers, t10c12 and c9t11, are differentially incorporated into adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in humans.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a popular supplement believed to enhance immune function, body composition and insulin sensitivity, but results of scientific studies investigating its effects are conflicting. The isomer- and tissue-specific effects of CLA may explain these conflicting results. Therefore, this study quantified the incorporation of the c9t11 and t10c12 CLA isomers into adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in response to supplementation in healthy, regularly-exercising, non-obese persons. The CLA group (n = 14) ingested 3.9 g per day CLA (50:50 t9c11:c10t12) and the placebo group (n = 11) 3.9 g per day high-oleic-acid sunflower oil for 12 weeks. Following supplementation, the t10c12 isomer was incorporated into adipose tissue triacylglycerol (P < 0.001), and the c9t11 isomer tended to increase in skeletal muscle phospholipids (P = 0.056). Therefore, human adipose tissue and skeletal muscle are enriched with CLA in an isomer-specific manner.
UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, 115, Newlands, 7725, Cape Town, South Africa. Julia.Goedecke@uct.ac.za
Julia H
JH
Goedecke
Dale E
DE
Rae
Cornelius M
CM
Smuts
Estelle V
EV
Lambert
Marianne
M
O'Shea
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism*
D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated; C496197:trans-10,cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid; C046938:9,11-linoleic acid