Postprandial dietary lipid-specific effects on human peripheral blood mononuclear cell gene expression profiles.
BACKGROUND
Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have a variety of beneficial effects, and immune cells play an important role in these effects. The mechanisms of action of PUFAs are still not completely understood, but it is known that PUFAs can influence the expression of a broad set of genes.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to determine the postprandial effects of intake of different fatty acids on the gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).


METHODS
In a single-blind crossover study, 21 healthy male volunteers consumed shakes enriched in PUFAs, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), or saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in random order. Blood samples were collected before and at several time points after intake. Whole-genome gene expression profiles of PBMCs were examined before and 6 h after intake of the PUFA and SFA shakes. In addition, ex vivo incubation of human PBMCs with different fatty acids was performed.


RESULTS
Whole-genome expression analysis showed distinct differences between PUFA and SFA consumption. PUFA intake decreased the expression of genes in liver X receptor signaling, whereas SFA intake increased the expression of these genes. PUFA intake also increased the expression of genes related to cellular stress responses. MUFA intake had an intermediate effect on several genes. Ex vivo experiments showed a direct effect of free fatty acids on PBMC gene expression.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that PBMCs can reveal fatty acid-specific gene expression profiles in young healthy men after the consumption of different fatty acids, as evidenced by the opposite effects of PUFA and SFA intakes on the expression of genes involved in liver X receptor signaling. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01000194.
Bouwens
Mark
M
Nutrition, Metabolism, and Genomics Group, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Grootte Bromhaar
Mechteld
M
Jansen
Jenny
J
Müller
Michael
M
Afman
Lydia A
LA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006029:Glycosuria; D006801:Humans; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D019301:Oleic Acid / Q000097:blood; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D019308:Palmitic Acid / Q000097:blood; D018579:Patient Selection; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019518:Postprandial Period; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012016:Reference Values; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
D001786:Blood Glucose; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; D014280:Triglycerides; D014810:Vitamin E; D019301:Oleic Acid; D019308:Palmitic Acid; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D012313:RNA; D002784:Cholesterol