title: Atheroprotective effects of conjugated linoleic acid.
abstract: Atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of heart attack and strokes, is a progressive dyslipidaemic and inflammatory disease where monocyte-derived macrophage cells play a pivotal role. Although most of the mechanisms that contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis have been identified, there is limited information on those governing regression. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a generic term denoting a group of naturally occurring isomers of linoleic acid (18:2, n6) that differ in the position or geometry (i.e. cis or trans) of their double bonds. The most predominant isomers in ruminant fats are cis-9, trans-11 CLA (c9,t11-CLA), which accounts for more than 80% of CLA isomers in dairy products and trans-10, cis-12 CLA (t10,c12-CLA). Dietary administration of a blend of the two most abundant isomers of CLA has been shown to inhibit the progression and induce the regression of pre-established atherosclerosis. Studies investigating the mechanisms involved in CLA-induced atheroprotective effects are continually emerging. The purpose of this review is to discuss comprehensively the effects of CLA on monocyte/macrophage function in atherosclerosis and to identify possible mechanisms through which CLA mediates its atheroprotective effects.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruen
authors.affiliation: School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fitzsimons
authors.affiliation: School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Orina
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Belton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated; D008055:Lipids
keywords: atherosclerosis; conjugated linoleic acid; inflammation; resolution