Phytanic acid—an overlooked bioactive fatty acid in dairy fat?

Abstract

Phytanic acid is a multibranched fatty acid with reported retinoid X receptor (RXR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) agonist activity, which have been suggested to have preventive effects on metabolic dysfunctions. Serum level in man is strongly correlated to the intake of red meat and dairy products and the concentration in these products is strongly correlated to the chlorophyll content in the feed of the cattle. Available data suggest that phytanic acid is a natural agonist for RXR at physiological concentrations, while it is more likely that it is the metabolite pristanic acid, rather than phytanic acid itself, that acts as PPAR-alpha agonist. Animal studies show increased expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation, after intake of phytol, the metabolic precursor of phytanic acid, but it is at present not possible to deduce whether phytanic acid is useful in the prevention of ectopic lipid deposition. Phytanic acid is an efficient inducer of the expression of uncoupler protein 1 (UCP1). UCP1 is expressed in human skeletal muscles, were it might be important for the total energy balance. Therefore, phytanic acid may be able to stimulate energy dissipation in skeletal muscles. Phytanic acid levels in serum are associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, but the available data do not support a general causal link between circulating phytanic acid and prostate cancer risk. However, certain individuals, with specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene for the enzyme alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase, might be susceptible to raised phytanic acid levels.

The influence of calcium supplementation on substrate metabolism during exercise in humans: a randomized controlled trial

“…Both the previous studies used dairy products to increase calcium intake, with potential for confounding from dairy protein or other bioactive components. 37,38 The present study also indicates that calcium supplementation does not influence appetite sensations or concentrations of or total GLP-1, when fasted. Although some show highcalcium intake reduces appetite, these responses have, to date, been exclusively studied under energy-restriction.…”

Effects of nitrogen fertilizer and harvesting stage on photosynthetic pigments and phytol contents of Italian ryegrass silage

“…Recently, consumers have shown increasing interest in livestock products enriched with bioactive compounds that can influence human health (Martin et al 2005;Hellgren 2010;Markus et al 2011). The content of such functional compounds in ruminant products is considered to relate to their content in the diets consumed by animals.…”

“…In the rumen, the phytol moiety of chlorophyll is released then metabolized to phytanic acid (3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecanoic acid), which is present in milk and meat produced from ruminants (Ackman & Hansen 1967;Wanders et al 2011). Phytanic acid acts as a natural ligand and activator of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (Zomer et al 2000;McMarty 2001), which regulate hepatic fatty acid oxidation, suggesting that phytanic acid may have beneficial effects on human health and may prevent metabolic syndrome (Grimaldi 2007;Hellgren 2010). As the primary precursor of phytanic acid is the phytol moiety in chlorophyll, the phytanic acid content in ruminant products may be associated with the chlorophyll content of the forages ingested.…”

Enfermedad peroxisomal, condrodisplasia rizomelica punctata tipo 1: reporte de caso

“…Restricting phytanic acid in the diet and its subsequent elevation has positive effects only in those cases of mild presentation of the disease 7 . Those foods rich in phytanic acid include meats derived from ruminants or products derived from them (milk, cheeses, butter, cream); fish or oils devired from seafood are also included 20 .…”