Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Unsaturated Fatty Acids Improve Atherosclerosis Markers in Obese and Overweight Non-diabetic Elderly Patients

  • Original Contributions
  • Published:
Obesity Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of replacing trans and saturated fats with unsaturated fatty acids on cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to demonstrate the effect of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat supplementation on the biochemical and endothelial markers of atherosclerotic disease in obese or overweight non-diabetic elderly patients.

Method

Seventy-nine patients were randomly divided into three groups: flaxseed oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil; patients in each group received 30 mL of oil for 90 days. Patients were subjected to anthropometric and bioimpedance assessments; biochemical and endothelial evaluations were performed through ultrasonography of the brachial artery and carotid artery for endothelium-dependent dilation and intima-media thickness assessment, respectively, before and after the intervention. The participants’ usual diet remained unchanged.

Results

The flaxseed oil group had improved ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein levels (p = 0.074) and reduced carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) (p = 0.028); the olive oil group exhibited an improved apolipoprotein (Apo)B/ApoA ratio (p = 0.021), reduced CIMT (p = 0.028), and improved flow-mediated vasodilation (FMV) (p = 0.054); and similarly, the sunflower oil group showed an improved ApoB/ApoA ratio (p = 0.024), reduced CIMT (p = 0.048), and improved FMV (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Unsaturated fatty acid supplementation using the three vegetable oils attenuated pro-inflammatory properties and improved prothrombotic conditions. Therefore, introducing or replacing saturated and trans fat with unsaturated fatty acids is beneficial for cardiovascular risk reduction in obese or overweight non-diabetic elderly people. Further studies are needed to determine which unsaturated fat best prevents cardiovascular disease in elderly patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Adams KF, Schatzkin A, Harris TB, et al. Overweight, obesity, and mortality in a large prospective cohort of persons 50 to 71 years old. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:763–78.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Scaglione R, Argano C, Di CT, et al. Obesity and cardiovascular risk: the new public health problem of worldwide proportions. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2004;2(2):203–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Jazet IM, Pijl H, Meinders AE. Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ: impact on insulin resistance. Neth J Med. 2003;61(6):194–212.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. McGown C, Birerdinc A, Younossi ZM. Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ. Clin Liver Dis. 2014;18(1):41–58.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Safar ME, Thomas F, Blacher J, et al. Metabolic syndrome and age-related progression of aortic stiffness. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;47(1):72–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Simopoulos AP. Evolutionary aspects of the dietary omega-6:omega-3 fatty acid ratio: medical implications. World Rev Nutr Diet. 2009;100:1–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Abdelmagid SM, Barbe MF, Safadi FF. Role of inflammation in the aging bones. Life Sci. 2015;123:25–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Aharoni S, Lati Y, Aviram M, et al. Pomegranate juice polyphenols induce a phenotypic switch in macrophage polarization favoring a M2 anti-inflammatory state. Biofactors. 2015;41(1):44–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Wu J, Xia S, Kalionis B, et al. The role of oxidative stress and inflammation in cardiovascular aging. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:615312.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Van Gaal LF, Mertens IL, De Block CE. Mechanisms linking obesity with cardiovascular disease. Nature. 2006;444:875–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Saleh MH, Bertolami MC, Assef JE, et al. Improvement of atherosclerotic markers in non-diabetic patients after bariatric surgery. Obes Surg. 2012;22(11):1701–7.

  12. Simopoulos AP. The importance of the omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio in cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases. Exp Biol Med. 2008;233:674–68.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Dittrich M, Jahreis G, Bothor K, et al. Benefits of foods supplemented with vegetable oils rich in α-linolenic, stearidonic or docosahexaenoic acid in hpertriglyceridemic subjects: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trail. Eur J Nutr. 2015;54:881–93.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Burdge G. Alpha-linolenic acid metabolism in men and women: nutritional and biological implications. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2004;7:137–44.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Barceló-Coblijn G, Murphy EJ. Alpha-linolenic acid and its conversion to long chain n-3 fatty acids: benefits for human health and a role in maintaining tissue n-3 fatty acid levels. Prog Lipid Res. 2009;48:355–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Goyens PLL, Spilker ME, Zock PL, et al. Conversion of alpha-linolenic acid in humans is influenced by the absolute amounts of alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid in the diet and not by their ratio. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;84:44–53.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Wien M, Rajaram S, Oda K, et al. Decreasing the linoleic acid to alpha-linolenic acid diet ratio increases eicosapentaenoic acid in erythrocytes in adults. Lipids. 2010;45:683–92.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Khalesi S, Irwin C, Schubert M. Flaxseed consumption may reduce blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. J Nutr. 2015;145:758–65.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Hooper L, Summerbell CD, Thompson R, et al. Reduced or modified dietary fat for preventing cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;5:CD002137.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Shen J, Wilmot KA, Ghasemzadeh N, et al. Mediterranean dietary patterns and cardiovascular health. Annu Rev Nutr. 2015;35:425–49.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Perona JS, Cabello-Moruno R, Ruiz-Gutierrez V. The role of virgin olive oil components in the modulation of endothelial function. J Nut Biochem. 2006;17(7):429–45.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III) Final Report. Circulation. 2002;106:3143–421.

  23. de Oliveira MF, Vieira OV. Extração de Óleo de Girassol Utilizando Miniprensa [Internet]. Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply; 2004 [cited. May 23. 2015; Available from: http://www.cnpso.embrapa.br/download/publicacao/documento_237.pdf

  24. Correti MC, Anderson TJ, Benjamin EJ, et al. Guidelines for the ultrasound assessment of endothelial-dependent flow-mediated vasodilatation of the brachial artery: a report of the International Brachial Artery Reactivity Task Force. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2002;39:257–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Teixeira HNP, Mesquita ET, Ribeiro ML, et al. Estudo da reatividade vascular em portadores de HIV com e sem uso de inibidor de protease. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2009;93(4):367–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Kim OY, Paik JK, Lee JY, et al. Follow-ups of metabolic, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in middle-aged subjects without metabolic syndrome. Clin Exp Hypertens. 2013;35(5):382–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Barceló-Coblijn G, Murphy EJ, Othman R, et al. Flaxseed oil and fish-oil capsule consumption alters human red blood cell n–3 fatty acid composition: a multiple-dosing trial comparing 2 sources of n–3 fatty acid. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;88:801–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. de Lorgeril M, Salen P, Martin JL, et al. Mediterranean diet, traditional risk factors, and the rate of cardiovascular complications after myocardial infarction: final report of the Lyon Diet Heart Study. Circulation. 1999;99:779–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Rastogi T, Reddy KS, Vaz M, et al. Diet and risk of ischemic heart disease in India. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;79:582–92.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Derbali A, Mnafgui K, Affes M, et al. Cardioprotective effect of linseed oil against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in Wistar rats: a biochemical and electrocardiographic study. J Physiol Biochem. 2015;71:281–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Zhao G, Etherton TD, Martin KR, et al. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid reduces inflammatory and lipid cardiovascular risk factors in hypercholesterolemic men and women. J Nutr. 2004;134:2991–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Bemelmans WJ, Lefrandt JD, Feskens EJ, et al. Increased alpha-linolenic acid intake lowers C-reactive protein, but has no effect on markers of atherosclerosis. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004;58:1083–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Satoh N, Shimatsu A, Kotani K, et al. Highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid reduces cardio-ankle vascular index in association with decreased serum amyloid A-LDL in metabolic syndrome. Hyperten Res. 2009;32:1004–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Huth PJ, Fulgoni 3rd VL, Larson BT. A systematic review of high-oleic vegetable oil substitutions for other fats and oils on cardiovascular disease risk factors: implications for novel high-oleic soybean oils. Adv Nutr. 2015;6:674–93.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Ramsden CE, Zamora D, Leelarthaepin B, et al. Use of dietary linoleic acid for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death: evaluation of recovered data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study and updated meta-analysis. BMJ. 2013;346:e8707.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Woodhill JM, Palmer AJ, Leelarthaepin B, et al. Low fat, low cholesterol diet in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1978;109:317–30.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Modena MG, Bonetti L, Coppi F, et al. Prognostic role of reversible endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive postmenopausal women. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2002;40:505–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Saleh MH. O impacto da cirurgia bariátrica na função endothelial, variáveis ecocardiográficas e perfil inflamatório [dissertation]. Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia: São Paulo, Brazil; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Schiano V, Laurenzano E, Brevetti G, et al. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid in peripheral arterial disease: effect on lipid pattern, disease severity, inflammation profile, and endothelial function. Clin Nutr. 2008;27:241–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Tousoulis D, Plastiras A, Siasos G, et al. Omega-3 PUFAs improved endothelial function and arterial stiffness with a parallel anti-inflammatory effect in adults with metabolic syndrome. Atherosclerosis. 2014;232:10–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Goodfellow J, Bellamy MF, Ramsey MW, et al. Dietary supplementation with marine omega-3 fatty acids improve systemic large artery endothelial function in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2000;35:265e70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Siasos G, Tousoulis D, Oikonomou E, et al. Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on endothelial function, arterial wall properties, inflammatory and fibrinolytic status in smokers: a cross over study. Int J Cardiol. 2013;166:340–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Din JN, Archer RM, Harding SA, et al. Effect of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation on endothelial function, endogenous fibrinolysis and platelet activation in male cigarette smokers. Heart. 2013;99(3):168–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Tomiyama H, Takazawa K, Osa S, et al. Do eicosapentaenoic acid supplements attenuate age-related increases in arterial stiffness in patients with dyslipidemia? A preliminary study. Hypertens Res. 2005;28:651–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Takaki A, Umemoto S, Ono K, et al. Add-on therapy of EPA reduces oxidative stress and inhibits the progression of aortic stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease and statin therapy: a randomized controlled study. J Atheroscler Thromb. 2011;18(10):857–66.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Tolezani EC. Determinantes das propriedades funcionais e estruturais de grandes artérias em uma população de indivíduos adultos saudáveis [dissertation]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo; 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Angerer P, Kothny W, Störk S, et al. Effect of dietary supplementation with v-3 fatty acids on progression of atherosclerosis in carotid arteries. Cardiovasc Res. 2002;54:183–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Augustine AH, Lowenstein LM, Harris WS, et al. Treatment with omega-3 fatty acid ethyl-ester alters fatty acid composition of lipoproteins in overweight or obese adults with insulin resistance. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2014;90(2–3):69–75.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Mackay I, Ford I, Thies F, et al. Effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on markers of platelet and endothelial function in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Atherosclerosis. 2012;221:514–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Marcio Diniz and Leandro Ferreira for statistical analysis.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo, 05403-900, Brazil

    Patrícia Amante de Oliveira & Joel Faintuch

  2. Rua Abílio Soares, 250 - 3° andar – Paraíso, São Paulo, CEP: 04005-909, Brazil

    Patrícia Amante de Oliveira

  3. Dante Pazzanese Institute of Cardiology, São Paulo, 04012-909, Brazil

    Patrícia Amante de Oliveira, Cristiane Kovacs, Priscila Moreira, Daniel Magnoni & Mohamed Hassan Saleh

Authors
  1. Patrícia Amante de Oliveira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Cristiane Kovacs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Priscila Moreira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Daniel Magnoni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mohamed Hassan Saleh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Joel Faintuch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrícia Amante de Oliveira.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Statement

All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Dante Pazzanese Institute of Cardiology and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

de Oliveira, P.A., Kovacs, C., Moreira, P. et al. Unsaturated Fatty Acids Improve Atherosclerosis Markers in Obese and Overweight Non-diabetic Elderly Patients. OBES SURG 27, 2663–2671 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-017-2704-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-017-2704-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation