Reduction of dietary saturated fatty acids correlates with increased plasma lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase activity in humans

Abstract

Objective: Increased HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations have been associated with lower coronary heart disease risk. On the other hand, dietary fats are known to influence the fatty acid profile of plasma lipids, including phospholipids that are substrates of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), an important enzyme in HDL metabolism. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the saturated fatty acid (SFA) intake and LCAT activity. Design: An interventional study was performed in a monk community of 25 men. Setting: A French monk community, South West of France. Subjects and interventions: The basal diet of the study cohort contained SFA in a proportion of 13.5% of their total energy intake (TEI). They were submitted to two experimental isocaloric diets containing either 8.4% of the TEI in SFA (diet A) or 11% (diet B), each lasting 5 weeks. Results: The elevation of SFA in diet B was mainly obtained by decreasing carbohydrates. The only significant difference among total fats between diets A and B was the myristic acid content (0.6 and 1.2% of TEI, respectively). The elevation in SFA in diet B resulted in a significant increase of HDL-C (Po0.04), while plasma apo A-I concentration and LCAT activity both decreased (Po0.02). Conclusion: Altogether, these results are consistent with a negative effect of SFA on reverse cholesterol transport.

Moderate Dietary Intake of Myristic and Alpha‐Linolenic Acids Increases Lecithin‐Cholesterol Acyltransferase Activity in Humans

“…Our results on the LCAT endogenous activity contrast with those found by Bérard et al [14]. The authors compared a diet providing 11% TE as SFA with a diet that supplied a lower SFA content (8.4% TE), compensated by a higher carbohydrate content (+8%).…”

“…Moreover, Tholstrup et al [12] observed in humans the plasma HDLcholesterol level was 8% higher with a diet providing 16% total energy (TE) as MA compared with a diet providing 16% TE as palmitic acid (respectively, 1.10 ± 0.06 vs. 1.01 ± 0.05 mmol; P < 0.006). A recent study [14] has observed in humans an increase in HDL cholesterol concentrations by increasing SFA intake (from 8.4 to 11% TE), while plasma apo A-I concentration and LCAT activity both decreased (P < 0.02). On the other hand, in hypertriglyceridemic patients, a high-fat diet significantly increased HDL cholesterol and LCAT, while a subsequent low-fat diet decreased HDL cholesterol and LCAT [15].…”

Investigating cholesterol metabolism and ageing using a systems biology approach

“…For example, Jansen et al (75) observed that CETP concentrations were significantly elevated by 12 and 11 %, in individuals on a high SFA diet, compared with individuals on the National Cholesterol Education Program StepI diet and MUFA diet, respectively. Additionally, an elevation of SFA from 8·4 to 11 % decreased lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity from 56 to 74 nM/ml per h, which may result in decreased reverse cholesterol transport and influence CVD risk (76) .…”

Mathematically modelling the dynamics of cholesterol metabolism and ageing

“…2) There is an increase in the rate of cholesterol synthesis (Jones et al, 1994). 3) Modulation of RCT occurs (Berard et al, 2004;Jansen et al, 2000). RCT is affected in 2 ways.…”