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Plasma lipids and fatty acids in urbanized Bushmen, Hereros and Kavangos of Southern Africa (Namibia)

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Lipids

Abstract

Thirty-nine urbanized ethnic Namibian people comprising 21 Bushmen (semi-urbanized), 7 Hereros and 11 Kavangos were assessed for plasma lipids and fatty acid (FA) composition. Total cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations were measured by enzymatic methods, and neutral lipid FA composition by gas-liquid chromatography. The results demonstrated that while total cholesterol concentrations were not significantly different, significant differences in triacylglycerol concentrations (P<0.05) were seen between Bushmen and Kavangos. By comparing Bushmen with Hereros and Kavangos, significant differences between Bushmen and Kavangos were also observed in plasma triacylglycerol FA compositions, particularly 16∶0 (32.73%vs. 25.05%), 16∶1n−7 (7.00%vs. 5.06%), 18∶2n−6 (9.30%vs. 22.25%) and 20∶3n−6 (0.12%vs. 0.48%), while Kavangos had higher 20∶4n−6 levels than Hereros (1.44%vs. 2.00%). In plasma cholesteryl esters, Bushmen were significantly different from Kavangos in 16∶1n−7 (8.85%vs. 4.93%), 18∶1n−9 (32.06%vs. 23.07%) and 20∶4n−6 (6.91%vs. 10.00%). Significant differences were also observed between Bushmen and Hereros in 18∶0 (1.08%vs. 1.29%) and 18∶2n−6 (35.68%vs. 45.50%). The FA of Namibian groups were also compared with South African reference groups comprising urbanized whites and Xhosas and rural Vendas. The differences in blood lipid values can be explained primarily by excessive alcohol consumption. These results suggest that semi-urbanized Bushmen have changed their diets under urbanized conditions which may increase their risk of coronary heart disease.

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Abbreviations

AA:

arachidonic acid

CE:

cholesteryl esters

CHD:

coronary heart disease

DGLA:

dihomo-gammalinolenic acid

EPA:

eicosapentaenoic acid

FA:

fatty acids

GLC:

gas-liquid chromatography

LA:

linoleic acid

OA:

oleic acid

P/S:

polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio

TAG:

triacylglycerol

TC:

total cholesterol

TLC:

thin-layer chromatography

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 55905, Rochester, Minnesota

    S. J. D. O'Keefe

  2. Institute for Biostatistics of the Medical Research Council, 7505, Tygerberg, Republic of South Africa

    S. A. Swanevelder

  3. National Research Programme for Nutritional Intervention, P.O. Box 19070, 7505, Tygerberg, Republic of South Africa

    H. Y. Tichelaar, A. J. S. Benadé, P. L. Jooste & E. Van Staden

Authors
  1. H. Y. Tichelaar
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  2. A. J. S. Benadé
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  3. S. J. D. O'Keefe
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  4. P. L. Jooste
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  5. S. A. Swanevelder
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  6. E. Van Staden
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Tichelaar, H.Y., Benadé, A.J.S., O'Keefe, S.J.D. et al. Plasma lipids and fatty acids in urbanized Bushmen, Hereros and Kavangos of Southern Africa (Namibia). Lipids 27, 729–732 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536033

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536033

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