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Dietary conjugated α-linolenic acid did not improve glucose tolerance in a neonatal pig model

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Abstract

Purpose

There is an increased interest in the benefits of conjugated α-linolenic acid (CLNA) on obesity-related complications such as insulin resistance and diabetes. The aim of the study was to investigate whether a 1 % dietary supplementation of mono-CLNA isomers (c9-t11-c15-18:3 + c9-t13-c15-18:3) improved glucose and lipid metabolism in neonatal pigs.

Methods

Since mono-CLNA isomers combine one conjugated two-double-bond system with an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) structure, the experimental protocol was designed to isolate the dietary structural characteristics of the molecules by comparing a CLNA diet with three other dietary fats: (1) conjugated linoleic acid (c9-t11-18:2 + t10-c12-18:2; CLA), (2) non-conjugated n-3 PUFA, and (3) n-6 PUFA. Thirty-two piglets weaned at 3 weeks of age were distributed among the four dietary groups. Diets were isoenergetic and food intake was controlled by a gastric tube. After 2 weeks of supplementation, gastro-enteral (OGTT) and parenteral (IVGTT) glucose tolerance tests were conducted.

Results

Dietary supplementation with mono-CLNA did not modify body weight/fat or blood lipid profiles (p > 0.82 and p > 0.57, respectively) compared with other dietary groups. Plasma glucose, insulin, and C-peptide responses to OGTT and IVGTT in the CLNA group were not different from the three other dietary groups (p > 0.18 and p > 0.15, respectively). Compared to the non-conjugated n-3 PUFA diet, CLNA-fed animals had decreased liver composition in three n-3 fatty acids (18:3n-3; 20:3n-3; 22:5n-3; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

These results suggest that providing 1 % mono-CLNA is not effective in improving insulin sensitivity in neonatal pigs.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to M. Guillette for her invaluable technical assistance; to Mélanie Turcotte and the animal care team under supervision of D. Morrissette; and to S. Methot for his help with statistical analysis. The authors are also grateful to Fonds Québécois de Recherche sur la Nature et les Technologies (FQRNT) and Naturia Inc (Sherbrooke, Canada) for a Ph.D. scholarship to M. P. at the time where the experiment was carried out and to Fonds de recherche Québec-santé for a current Junior 1 salary award. CLA and mono-CLNA were generously provided by Naturia Inc. (Sherbrooke, QC, Canada). The financial support was provided by Naturia Inc and the Mathing Investment Initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Conflict of interest

None of the authors has any financial conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center on Aging, Health and Social Sciences Center, Geriatrics Institute, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada

    Christian-Alexandre Castellano & Mélanie Plourde

  2. Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada

    Christian-Alexandre Castellano

  3. Department of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada

    Jean-Patrice Baillargeon & Mélanie Plourde

  4. Naturia Inc., Sherbrooke, QC, Canada

    Sandie I. Briand

  5. Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Montréal, QC, Canada

    Sandie I. Briand

  6. Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada

    Paul Angers

  7. Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada

    Alain Giguère & J. Jacques Matte

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  1. Christian-Alexandre Castellano
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Castellano, CA., Baillargeon, JP., Plourde, M. et al. Dietary conjugated α-linolenic acid did not improve glucose tolerance in a neonatal pig model. Eur J Nutr 53, 761–768 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-013-0580-0

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