Positive Health Online

Abstract

FERNANDEZ-REAL and colleagues, Section of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, University Hospital of Girona Dr Josep Trueta, Girona, Spain, uden.jmfernandezreal@htrueta.scs.es, have studied circulating adiponection, a molecule believed to act as an anti-inflammatory, and blood fatty acid profiles.

Background

The amount and type of fat in diet is related to the development of obesity and the related inflammatory activities that promote diabetes and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to look at the connection between dietary fats and the levels of adiponectin, a molecule that is thought to counteract these negative processes.

Methodology

The association between dietary fat, as inferred from plasma fatty acid composition, and circulating adiponectin was evaluated in 116 healthy individuals.

Results

The amount of saturated fatty acids, especially palmitic acid (C16:0), in blood was significantly associated with lower levels of adiponectin (p = 0.002). On the other hand, eicosanoic acid (n-9 C20:1) was significantly associated with higher levels of adiponectin (p = 0.01). Percentage contributions of palmitic, n-3 polyunsaturated and eicosanoic acid to adiponectin levels both in smokers and in nonsmokers were calculated.

Conclusion

Saturated and n-3 fatty acids of dietary origin are associated with circulating adiponectin concentrations in healthy humans. The proportion of eicosanoic acid also appears to be positively associated with circulating adiponectin.

References

Fernandez-Real JM, Vendrell J, Ricart W. Circulating adiponectin and plasma fatty acid profile. Clinical Chemistry 51 (3): 603-609, Mar 2005.