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The Health Promoting Properties of the Conjugated Isomers of α-Linolenic Acid

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  • Published:
Lipids

Abstract

The bioactive properties of the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers have long been recognised and are the subject of a number of excellent reviews. However, despite this prominence the CLA isomers are not the only group of naturally occurring dietary conjugated fatty acids which have shown potent bioactivity. In a large number of in vitro and in vivo studies, conjugated α-linolenic acid (CLNA) isomers have displayed potent anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-obese and anti-carcinogenic activity, along with the ability to improve biomarkers of cardio-vascular health. CLNA isomers are naturally present in high concentrations in a large variety of seed oils but can also be produced in vitro by strains of lactobacilli and bifidobactena through the activity of the enzyme linoleic acid isomerase on α-linolenic acid. In this review, we will address the possible therapeutic roles that CLNA may play in a number of conditions afflicting Western society and the mechanisms through which this activity is mediated.

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Abbreviations

CLNA:

Conjugated α-linolenic acid

CLA:

Conjugated linoleic acid

COX-2:

Cyclooxygenase-2

HDL:

High density lipoprotein

IFN-γ:

Interferon-γ

Ig:

Immunoglobulin

LDL:

Low density lipoprotein

LETO:

Long–Evans Tokusima Otsuka

NF-kB:

Nuclear factor kappa B

OLETF:

Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty

PPAR:

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor

SREBP:

Sterol regulatory element binding protein(s)

TAG:

Triacylglycerol

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor α

VLDL:

Very low density lipoprotein

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Acknowledgments

The financial assistance of the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) is gratefully acknowledged. A. A. Hennessy is in receipt of a Teagasc Walsh Fellowship. This research was also funded by EU project QLK1-2001-02362.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. TEAGASC, Moorepark Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland

    Alan A. Hennessy, R. Paul Ross & Catherine Stanton

  2. National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland

    Rosaleen Devery

  3. Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Cork, Ireland

    Alan A. Hennessy, R. Paul Ross & Catherine Stanton

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  1. Alan A. Hennessy
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  2. R. Paul Ross
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  4. Catherine Stanton
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Correspondence to Catherine Stanton.

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Hennessy, A.A., Ross, R.P., Devery, R. et al. The Health Promoting Properties of the Conjugated Isomers of α-Linolenic Acid. Lipids 46, 105–119 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-010-3501-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-010-3501-5

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