Is conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) a protective factor in atherosclerosis? Study with the use of neural networks

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a term used for positional and geometrical isomers of linoleic acid whose two unsaturated bonds are separated by one saturated bond (cis9trans11 and trans10cis12). Cooked meat and milk are among the richest dietary sources of CLA. Recently, much attention has been devoted to CLA due to its anti-cancer, anti-atherogenic, and anti-diabetic properties.

Our study group comprised 29 patients aged 45 to 75 years who were operated for atherosclerotic stenosis in the carotid arteries.

Venous blood was collected after an overnight fast. Total cholesterol and triglycerides were assayed with enzymatic test kits. HDL-cholesterol was measured after precipitation with sodium magnesium phosphotungstate. LDL-cholesterol was calculated from total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol concentrations using Friedewald's formula. A Perkin-Elmer gas chromatograph (model 8500) was used to analyze fatty acids methyl esters. Statistical analysis was performed with the Statistica Neural Networks software. Significantly lower plasma content of c9t11 CLA, linoleic, and arachidonic acids was found in the study group as compared with controls. Parametric analysis disclosed that c9t11 CLA concentrations depended on triglycerides and arachidonic acid in the study group and on linoleic acid and triglycerides in controls. An increase in total cholesterol concentration was associated with a decrease in the concentration of c9t11 CLA in the study group and a parallel increase in the control group.