Document Detail


The serum fatty acids myristic acid and linoleic acid are better predictors of serum cholesterol concentrations when measured as molecular percentages rather than as absolute concentrations.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19955401     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: The use of serum fatty acid biomarkers in nutritional epidemiology is increasingly common; however, there is an absence of scientific evidence to substantiate whether the measurement of fatty acids as molecular percentages (which is the conventional approach) or as absolute concentrations is more informative. OBJECTIVE: To advance understanding about this fundamental concept, we examined the ability of serum myristic acid and linoleic acid, expressed as molecular percentages or as concentrations, to predict dietary fat and serum cholesterol concentrations. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis of a population-based survey of New Zealand adults (n = 2732) was undertaken. The association of myristic and linoleic acids in serum cholesterol ester and phospholipid with dietary fat or serum cholesterol was assessed. RESULTS: Intake of saturated fat, dairy fat, and polyunsaturated fat was predicted similarly with the use of both units of measurement. After adjustment for confounders, mean total cholesterol decreased by 0.18 mmol/L from the lowest to the highest quintile of serum cholesteryl-linoleate as a molecular percentage (P = 0.027). In contrast, mean total cholesterol increased by 1.09 mmol/L from the lowest to the highest quintile of serum cholesteryl-linoleate concentration (P < 0.001). The molecular percentage and concentration of serum cholesteryl-myristate were positively associated with total cholesterol (P < 0.001). Results for serum phospholipid fatty acids were similar. CONCLUSION: Serum myristic acid and linoleic acid measured as molecular percentages, but not as concentrations, predict serum total cholesterol in a manner that distinguishes between the differential cholesterolemic effects of dietary saturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Authors:
Kathryn E Bradbury; C Murray Skeaff; Timothy J Green; Andrew R Gray; Francesca L Crowe
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2009-12-02
Journal Detail:
Title:  The American journal of clinical nutrition     Volume:  91     ISSN:  1938-3207     ISO Abbreviation:  Am. J. Clin. Nutr.     Publication Date:  2010 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-01-21     Completed Date:  2010-02-22     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0376027     Medline TA:  Am J Clin Nutr     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  398-405     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Cholesterol / blood*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dietary Fats / administration & dosage*
Humans
Linear Models
Linoleic Acid / blood*
Middle Aged
Myristic Acid / blood*
New Zealand
Young Adult
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Dietary Fats; 2197-37-7/Linoleic Acid; 544-63-8/Myristic Acid; 57-88-5/Cholesterol

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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