title: Dietary triacyglycerols rich in sn-2 palmitate alter post-prandial lipoprotein and unesterified fatty acids in term infants.
abstract: Human milk TAG contain 20-25% 16:0, with over 70% of the 16:0 at the TAG sn-2 position. The benefits of TAG sn-2 16:0 have been ascribed to reducing 16:0 excretion as insoluble fatty acid soaps. This study builds on knowledge that infants conserve milk TG sn-2 16:0 post-absorption. Comparison of plasma lipids from 120 day old infants fed formula containing 25-27% 16:0 with 29% 16:0 or 5% 16:0 at the TAG sn-2 position showed higher formula sn-2 16:0 led to lower 18:1n-9, but higher 18:2n-6 and 22:6n-3 in the infant plasma unesterified fatty acids, higher 18:0 in LDL TAG, and higher apo B and lower apo A-1. TAG-sn-2 16:0 may provide 16:0 in remnant particles for hepatic elongation to 18:0, needed for plasma and tissue phospholipids. We suggest attention to the plasma unesterified fatty acids as possible sources of fatty acids for membrane phospholipid synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Metabolism Research Program, Child and Family Research Institute, Department of Paediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 4H4. Electronic address: sinnis@mail.ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Sheila M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Innis
authors.forename: Carolanne M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D019518:Postprandial Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides