Trans Fatty Acids Induce Vascular Inflammation and Reduce Vascular Nitric Oxide Production in Endothelial Cells

Abstract

Intake of trans fatty acids (TFA), which are consumed by eating foods made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. This relation can be explained by many factors including TFA's negative effect on endothelial function and reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. In this study we investigated the effects of three different TFA (2 common isomers of C18 found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oil and a C18 isomer found from ruminant-derived—dairy products and meat) on endothelial NF-κB activation and nitric oxide (NO) production. Human endothelial cells were treated with increasing concentrations of Elaidic (trans-C18:1 (9 trans)), Linoelaidic (trans-C18:2 (9 trans, 12 trans)), and Transvaccenic (trans-C18:1 (11 trans)) for 3 h. Both Elaidic and Linoelaidic acids were associated with increasing NF-κB activation as measured by IL-6 levels and phosphorylation of IκBα, and impairment of endothelial insulin signaling and NO production, whereas Transvaccenic acid was not associated with these responses. We also measured superoxide production, which has been hypothesized to be necessary in fatty acid-dependent activation of NF-κB. Both Elaidic acid and Linoelaidic acid are associated with increased superoxide production, whereas Transvaccenic acid (which did not induce inflammatory responses) did not increase superoxide production. We observed differential activation of endothelial superoxide production, NF-κB activation, and reduction in NO production by different C18 isomers suggesting that the location and number of trans double bonds effect endothelial NF-κB activation.

Diet containing partially hydrogenated vegetable fat enhances the carrageenan induced paw inflammation but not oxidative stress markers in liver of rats

“…The diet high in hydrogenated fat increased production of inflammatory cytokines. Higher intakes of TFA increased concentrations of inflammatory molecules such as interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein, and monocyte chemo attractant protein-1 (Iwata et al 2011).…”

“…Oxidative stress is considered to be an important promoter for inflammation (Iwata et al 2011). Some of the oxidative stress markers can be monitored in liver.…”

Repeatedly Heated Vegetable Oils and Lipid Peroxidation

“…Repeatedly heated oils at high temperature will undergo chemical conversion of fatty acid configuration from cis to trans isomer [28]. Diets containing trans fatty acid could be detrimental to cardiovascular health because it was reported that this fatty acid isomer could induce inflammation of the blood vessels and decrease its nitric oxide production [29][30]. The polymer and polar compounds content are also increased more than 37% and 47% respectively when the oil is used to fry [31].…”

The relation of red blood cell fatty acids with vascular stiffness, cardiac structure and left ventricular function: The Framingham Heart Study

“…Trans fatty acids reduce endothelial nitric oxide production in vitro, 54 and thus may have detrimental effects on vascular function. However, our data do not support a statistically significant association of long-term trans fatty acid intake with vascular function (as assessed by PAT) in our sample.…”