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trans fatty acids and systemic inflammation in heart failure
Dariush Mozaffarian1, Eric B Rimm, Irena B King
1Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. dmozaffa@hsph.harvard.edu
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|December 9, 2004
Summary
Trans fatty acid (TFA) intake is linked to increased systemic inflammation in heart disease patients. Reducing TFA consumption may be crucial for secondary prevention strategies in cardiovascular care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Inflammation and Immunology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Trans fatty acid (TFA) intake is known to increase systemic inflammation in healthy individuals.
- The impact of TFA consumption on individuals with pre-existing heart disease remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between trans fatty acid (TFA) intake and systemic inflammation markers in patients diagnosed with established heart disease.
- To determine if dietary TFA levels correlate with inflammatory markers in this specific patient population.
Main Methods:
- Red blood cell membrane trans fatty acids (TFAs) were measured as a biomarker of dietary intake in 86 ambulatory patients with heart failure.
- Concentrations of various inflammatory markers were ascertained.
- Linear regression analysis was employed to evaluate associations between TFA levels and inflammatory markers, adjusting for multiple confounding factors.
Main Results:
- Trans fatty acid (TFA) levels in red blood cell membranes were positively associated with elevated levels of multiple inflammatory markers, including Interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-6, IL-10, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) alpha, TNF receptor 1, TNF receptor 2, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and brain natriuretic peptide.
- These associations remained significant after adjusting for a comprehensive set of patient characteristics, including age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, smoking status, ejection fraction, heart failure class, ischemic etiology, statin use, and serum glucose.
- A 1% increase in membrane TFA was linked to substantial percentage increases in key inflammatory markers.
Conclusions:
- Trans fatty acids (TFAs) demonstrate a strong positive association with systemic inflammation in patients suffering from heart disease.
- These findings underscore the potential importance of monitoring and managing TFA intake as part of secondary prevention strategies for cardiovascular disease patients.