Association of desaturase activity and C-reactive protein in European children
Maike Wolters1, Claudia Börnhorst1, Heike Schwarz1
1Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany.
Insights
Higher delta-9 desaturase (D9D) activity in children is linked to increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, suggesting a potential risk for subclinical inflammation. Dietary factors may influence this association, warranting further investigation into a causal relationship.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Desaturase enzymes regulate fatty acid composition and are linked to inflammation.
- Delta-9 desaturase (D9D), delta-6 desaturase (D6D), and delta-5 desaturase (D5D) are key enzymes in fatty acid metabolism.
- Subclinical inflammation, indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), is associated with metabolic disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between D9D, D6D, and D5D activities and CRP levels in young children.
- To explore cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between desaturase activity and inflammation markers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the IDEFICS cohort study, examining children at baseline and after 2 years.
- Estimated D9D, D6D, and D5D activities from fatty acid ratios at baseline.
- Analyzed associations between desaturase activity and CRP in a subsample of 1,943 children.
Main Results:
- Cross-sectionally, a 0.01 unit increase in D9D activity was associated with an 11% higher risk of elevated CRP (CRP ≥ Percentile 75).
- D6D and D5D activities showed no significant association with CRP levels.
- No significant longitudinal associations were found between baseline desaturase activity and CRP levels after 2 years.
Conclusions:
- A positive cross-sectional association exists between D9D activity and CRP, independent of weight status.
- Elevated D9D activity may indicate an increased risk of subclinical inflammation in children.
- Dietary intake, particularly saturated fatty acids and carbohydrates, might influence D9D activity and CRP levels, but causality requires further study.
Background:
Desaturase enzymes influence the fatty acid (FA) composition of body tissues and their activity affects the conversion rate of saturated to monounsaturated FA and of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) to long-chain PUFA. Desaturase activity has further been shown to be associated with inflammation. We investigate the association between delta-9 (D9D), delta-6 (D6D) and delta-5 desaturase (D5D) activity and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) in young children.
Methods:
In the IDEFICS (Identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants) cohort study children were examined at baseline (T0) and after 2 y (T1). D9D, D6D, and D5D activities were estimated from T0 product-precursor FA ratios. CRP was measured at T0 and T1. In a subsample of 1,943 children with available information on FA, CRP, and covariates, the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of desaturase activity and CRP were analyzed.
Results:
Cross-sectionally, a D9D increase of 0.01 units was associated with a 11% higher risk of having a serum CRP ≥ Percentile 75 (P75) (OR, 99% CI: 1.11 (1.01; 1.22)) whereas D6D and D5D were not associated with CRP. No significant associations were observed between baseline desaturase activity and CRP 2 y later.
Conclusion:
Cross-sectionally, our results indicate a positive association of D9D and CRP independent of weight status. High D9D activity may increase the risk of subclinical inflammation which is associated with metabolic disorders. As D9D expression increases with higher intake of saturated FA and carbohydrates, dietary changes may influence D9D activity and thus CRP. However, it remains to be investigated whether there is a causal relationship between D9D activity and CRP.
