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Platelet trans fatty acids in relation to angiographically assessed coronary artery disease
J M Hodgson1, M L Wahlqvist, J A Boxall
1University of Western Australia, Department of Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Australia.
Insights
Higher intake of trans fatty acids (TFA) may increase coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. This study found specific platelet TFAs, like elaidic acid, are linked to the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Trans fatty acids (TFAs) consumption is linked to increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
- Platelet TFA levels may reflect dietary intake and metabolic status.
- Understanding specific TFA associations with coronary artery disease (CAD) severity is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between platelet trans fatty acid composition and the degree of coronary artery disease (CAD).
- To identify specific TFAs associated with the extent of coronary atherosclerosis in a patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 191 non-diabetic patients undergoing coronary angiography.
- Quantification of CAD severity using an angiographic "extent score".
- Measurement of platelet TFA composition via gas chromatography, including elaidic acid and trans-10-octadecaenoic acid.
Main Results:
- Elaidic acid and trans-10-octadecaenoic acid in platelets showed a significant positive association with the CAD extent score.
- Other individual TFAs, such as palmitelaidic acid and vaccenic acid, did not show significant associations.
- Results were adjusted for established CHD risk factors like age, gender, smoking, hypertension, and cholesterol levels.
Conclusions:
- Specific platelet trans fatty acids, notably elaidic acid and trans-10-octadecaenoic acid, are associated with the degree of coronary artery disease.
- These findings support a link between certain TFAs and coronary atherosclerosis severity.
- Further research may elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying these associations.
Abstract:
Epidemiological and metabolic studies indicate that a higher intake of trans fatty acids (TFA) may be associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). In a cross-sectional study of patients who underwent coronary angiography, the relationships between TFAs, measured in platelets, and the degree of coronary artery disease (CAD) were examined in 191 non-diabetic patients (134 men and 57 women). The degree of CAD was quantified by using an angiographic scoring system developed to provide an estimate of the extent of coronáry atherosclerosis: an "extent score'. The TFA composition of platelets, including palmitelaidic (16:1 omega 7t), elaidic (18:1 omega 9t), trans-10-octadecaenoic acid (18:1 omega 8t), trans vaccenic (18:1 omega 7t), trans-12-octadecaenoic acid (18:1 omega 6t) and linoelaidic (18:2 omega 6tt) acids, was measured by using gas chromatography and quantified as a percentage of total fatty acids. After adjustment for established CHD risk indicators, including age, gender, cigarette smoking, hypertension and serum total cholesterol concentration, elaidic acid (P = 0.0300) and trans-10-octadecaenoic acid (P = 0.0434) were positively associated with the extent score of CAD. The adjusted associations between other individual TFAs, including palmitelaidic acid (P = 0.1189), vaccenic acid (P = 0.7651), trans-12-octadecaenoic acid (P = 0.0582) and linoelaidic acid (P = 0.8793), and the extent score were not significant. The results of this study, therefore, provide evidence for an association between particular platelet TFAs and the degree of CAD in the patient population studied.