Differences in postprandial lipaemic response between Northern and Southern Europeans

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Human Physiology
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• European populations exhibit diverse dietary habits and associated health outcomes.
• Understanding postprandial lipaemic responses is crucial for assessing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
• Regional differences in diet, such as fat intake, may influence metabolic responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare postprandial lipaemic responses to saturated fatty acid (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) meals in Northern and Southern European males.
• To identify differences in plasma triglycerides, apolipoprotein B-48, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), insulin, and factor VII activity between the two groups.
• To explore potential links between these metabolic differences and varying susceptibilities to coronary artery disease (CAD).

Main Methods:

• Recruitment of healthy male Europeans from Northern (British, Irish) and Southern (Crete, Greek) regions.
• Administration of two standardized test meals: one high in SFA (UK-like diet) and one high in MUFA (olive oil).
• Measurement of various biomarkers including plasma triglycerides, apolipoprotein B-48, NEFA, insulin, factor VII activity, and post-heparin lipoprotein lipase activity at fasting and postprandial time points.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in postprandial triglyceride response between SFA and MUFA meals within either group.
• Significant differences observed in postprandial patterns of plasma triglycerides, apolipoprotein B-48, NEFA, insulin, and factor VII activity between Northern and Southern Europeans.
• Southern Europeans showed higher NEFA responses to the SFA meal and lower apolipoprotein B-48 responses compared to Northern Europeans. Fasting NEFA and insulin were higher, while fasting apolipoprotein B-48 was lower in Southern Europeans.
• Post-heparin lipoprotein lipase activity was lower in Southern Europeans compared to Northern Europeans.

Conclusions:

• Significant regional differences exist in postprandial metabolic responses between Northern and Southern Europeans.
• These distinct lipaemic, insulin, and coagulation factor responses may contribute to the observed differences in coronary artery disease risk between these populations.
• Dietary fat composition and habitual intake patterns likely play a role in shaping these differential metabolic responses.