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Published on: October 12, 2017
Fatty acid composition in erythrocytes and coronary artery disease risk: a case-control study in China
Yongjin Wang1,2, Gangcheng Wu1, Feng Xiao2
1State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, School of Food Science and Technology, International Joint Research Laboratory for Lipid Nutrition and Safety, National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control in Jiangsu Province, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China. xingguow@jiangnan.edu.cn.
Insights
Erythrocyte fatty acids impact coronary artery disease (CAD) risk in Chinese adults. Higher levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) are protective, while saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFAs) increase risk.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Conflicting evidence exists on erythrocyte fatty acids and coronary artery disease (CAD).
- High CAD prevalence in China necessitates understanding contributing factors.
- Erythrocyte fatty acid composition may influence CAD susceptibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between erythrocyte fatty acid composition and CAD risk in Chinese adults.
- To identify specific fatty acid patterns linked to CAD development.
Main Methods:
- Gas chromatography was used to measure erythrocyte fatty acids in 314 CAD patients and 314 controls.
- Multivariable conditional logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models analyzed associations.
- Principal component analysis (PCA) identified erythrocyte fatty acid patterns (FAPs).
Main Results:
- Elevated erythrocyte total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) showed inverse associations with CAD risk.
- Higher levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFAs) were positively associated with CAD risk.
- Four distinct fatty acid patterns (FAPs) were identified; FAP1 and FAP2 correlated with increased CAD risk, while FAP3 and FAP4 showed a protective association.
Conclusions:
- Erythrocyte fatty acid profiles significantly influence CAD susceptibility in Chinese adults.
- n-3 PUFAs and MUFAs act as protective biomarkers, whereas SFAs and n-6 PUFAs are associated with higher CAD risk.
- Combined erythrocyte fatty acid patterns may be more critical indicators of CAD development than individual fatty acids.
Abstract:
Background and aims: There is limited and conflicting evidence about the association of erythrocyte fatty acids with coronary artery disease (CAD), particularly in China where the CAD rates are high. Our study aimed to explore the association between erythrocyte fatty acid composition and CAD risk in Chinese adults. Methods: Erythrocyte fatty acids of 314 CAD patients and 314 matched controls were measured by gas chromatography. Multivariable conditional logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were used to explore the odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (OR, 95% CI) and potential association between erythrocyte fatty acids and CAD risk. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze further the potential role of various erythrocyte fatty acid patterns in relation to CAD risk. Results: Significant inverse associations were observed between high levels of erythrocyte total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) [ORT3-T1 = 0.18 (0.12, 0.28)], monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) [ORT3-T1 = 0.21 (0.13, 0.32)], and the risk of CAD. Conversely, levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFAs) were positively associated with CAD risk [ORT3-T1 = 3.33 (2.18, 5.13), ORT3-T1 = 1.61 (1.06, 2.43)]. No significant association was observed between CAD risk and total trans fatty acids. Additionally, the PCA identifies four new fatty acid patterns (FAPs). The risk of CAD was significantly positively associated with FAP1 and FAP2, while being negatively correlated with FAP3 and FAP4. Conclusion: The different types of erythrocyte fatty acids may significantly alter susceptibility to CAD. Elevated levels of n-3-PUFAs and MUFAs are considered as protective biomarkers against CAD, while SFAs and n-6 PUFAs may be associated with higher CAD risk in Chinese adults. The risk of CAD was positively associated with FAP1 and FAP2, and negatively associated with FAP3 and FAP4. Combinations of erythrocyte fatty acids may be more important markers of CAD development than individual fatty acids or their subgroups.
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