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Plasma Fatty Acid Composition and Estimated Desaturase Activities Reflect Dietary Patterns in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome

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Abstract

Changes in plasma fatty acid (FA) composition and desaturase activities are observed in metabolic syndrome (MS). However, whether these changes are a reflection of dietary intakes of fats and FAs is not well established. The current study was aimed at assessing plasma FA composition and desaturase enzyme activities as biomarkers of dietary intakes in subjects with MS. Case control study was done on 41 MS patients and was compared with age matched 45 controls. Dietary intakes, anthropometric and clinical parameters were measured. FA composition was analysed using gas chromatography-flame ionisation detector and desaturase enzyme activities were estimated as ratios of product to precursor FAs. Higher levels of 14:0, 16:0, 16:1, 18:1, D9D-18 activity and lower levels of 18:0 and 18:2 n-6 were seen in MS group when compared to controls (p < 0.05). Strong positive correlations were seen between plasma triglyceride (TG) levels and 14:0, 16:0, 16:1, 18:1, total saturated fatty acid, total monounsaturated fatty acid, and D9D activities, while 18:0, 18:2 n-6 and total polyunsaturated fatty acid were negatively correlated with TG. Positive correlations were seen between plasma 14:0, 18:1 and D9D-18 activity with total energy intake and carbohydrate (CHO) intakes but not with fat intake. Plasma FA profile appears to be a better index of total energy intake and CHO intake than fat intake, suggesting it might be a good reflection of endogenous FA metabolism. Changes in FA composition may therefore serve as an early index of dysregulation of FA metabolism, resulting in increased risk of MS.

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Abbreviations

MS:

Metabolic syndrome

CVD:

Cardiovascular disorder

FA:

Fatty acid

SFA:

Saturated fatty acid

MUFA:

Monounsaturated fatty acid

PUFA:

Polyunsaturated fatty acid

D9D:

Delta D9 desaturase

D6D:

Delta D6 desaturase

D5D:

Delta D5 desaturase

D4D:

Delta D4 desaturase

CHO:

Carbohydrate

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Acknowledgement

This study was partly funded by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Government of India (RFC No. 5/4/5-11/10/NCD-II). We gratefully acknowledge all our study volunteers for their kind cooperation.

Author Contributions

All of the authors listed above have contributed to the work and have read, participated in the writing and agreed upon the submitted version of the manuscript.

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Author notes

  1. N. Pavithra and Priyanka S. Bannikoppa have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nutrition, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, 560034, India

    N. Pavithra, Priyanka S. Bannikoppa, Anura V. Kurpad & Indu Mani

  2. Department of Biochemistry, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, India

    Sheila Uthappa

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  1. N. Pavithra
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  2. Priyanka S. Bannikoppa
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  3. Sheila Uthappa
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Correspondence to Indu Mani.

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Pavithra, N., Bannikoppa, P.S., Uthappa, S. et al. Plasma Fatty Acid Composition and Estimated Desaturase Activities Reflect Dietary Patterns in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome. Ind J Clin Biochem 33, 290–296 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-017-0674-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-017-0674-1

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