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Fatty acid composition of serum lipids in patients with a coronary bypass operation
J Marniemi1, A Lehtonen, M Inberg
1Rehabilitation Research Centre of the Social Insurance Institution, Turku City Hospital, Finland.
Insights
Coronary artery disease (CAD) patients show altered serum fatty acid profiles, with lower levels of protective omega-6 fatty acids like linoleic acid. These findings highlight the importance of linoleic acid in preventing atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
- Fatty acid composition in serum lipids is linked to cardiovascular health.
- Previous research suggests a role for specific fatty acids in atherosclerosis development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differences in serum phospholipid and cholesteryl ester fatty acid composition between male patients with three-vessel CAD and healthy controls.
- To explore the relationship between fatty acid profiles, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A-I.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of serum phospholipid and cholesteryl ester fatty acid composition in 71 male CAD patients and 71 matched controls.
- Statistical comparison of fatty acid concentrations and polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratios.
- Correlation analysis between fatty acids and lipid/apolipoprotein levels.
Main Results:
- CAD patients had significantly higher levels of saturated fatty acids (14:0, 16:0, 16:1) and lower levels of linoleic (18:2 omega 6), linolenic (18:3 omega 3), and arachidonic (20:4 omega 6) acids in serum phospholipids compared to controls.
- The polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio was significantly lower in CAD patients.
- Similar trends were observed in the cholesteryl ester fraction.
- Correlations between polyunsaturated fatty acids and HDL cholesterol/apolipoprotein A-I were present in controls but largely absent in CAD patients.
Conclusions:
- Serum fatty acid profiles are significantly altered in patients with severe coronary artery disease.
- Lower levels of omega-6 fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid, are associated with CAD.
- These findings reinforce the protective role of linoleic acid against atherosclerosis, though evidence for long-chain omega-3 fatty acids was inconclusive in this study.
Abstract:
The fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids and cholesteryl esters was analysed in 71 male patients with angiographically defined three-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) selected for a coronary bypass operation. Their 71 control subjects were matched according to age, sex, smoking, relative weight, and absence of CAD. The concentrations of fatty acids, 14:0, 16:0 and 16:1 of the serum phospholipids, were significantly (P less than 0.01, P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.01, respectively) higher in CAD patients than in the controls. On the other hand, linoleic (18:2 omega 6), linolenic (18:3 omega 3) and arachidonic (20:4 omega 6) acids were at a significantly lower level in the patients when compared to the controls. The polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids (P/S) ratio in serum phospholipids was significantly (P less than 0.01) lower in the patients than in the controls. In the cholesteryl ester fraction the results paralleled those of the phospholipids. Significant correlations were obtained between the polyunsaturated fatty acids and the high density lipoprotein cholesterol or apolipoprotein A-I in the control subjects but most of these correlations were absent in the patients. Our present results further support the importance of linoleic acid in the protection against atherosclerosis. However, no unequivocal evidence on the possible beneficial effect of long-chain omega 3-fatty acids in comparison with omega 6-acids was obtained.