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Cited by 75Fatty Acid Research and HealthNutritional Studies and DietCholesterol and Lipid Metabolism

Comparison of diets enriched in stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids on inflammation, immune response, cardiometabolic risk factors, and fecal bile acid concentrations in mildly hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women—randomized crossover trial

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Meng, Huicui, Matthan, Nirupa R, Wu, Dayong, Li, Lijun, Rodríguez-Morató, Jose, Cohen, Rebecca, Galluccio, Jean M, Dolnikowski, Gregory G +1 more·2019·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
DOI 10.1093/ajcn/nqz095
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Abstract

Background Direct comparisons between SFAs varying in chain length, specifically palmitic acid (16:0) and stearic acid (18:0), relative to the latter's metabolic product, oleic acid (18:1), on cardiometabolic risk factors are limited. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the relative comparability of diets enriched in palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid on inflammation and coagulation markers, T lymphocyte proliferation/ex-vivo cytokine secretion, plasma cardiometabolic risk factors, and fecal bile acid concentrations. Methods Hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women (n = 20, mean ± SD age 64 ± 7 y, BMI 26.4 ± 3.4 kg/m2, LDL cholesterol ≥ 2.8 mmol/L) were provided with each of 3 diets [55% energy (%E) carbohydrate, 15%E protein, 30%E fat, with ∼50% fat contributed by palmitic acid, stearic acid, or oleic acid in each diet; 5 wk/diet phase] using a randomized crossover design with 2-wk washouts between phases. Outcome measures were assessed at the end of each phase. Results Fasting LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol concentrations were lower after the stearic acid and oleic acid diets than the palmitic acid diet (all P < 0.01). Fasting HDL-cholesterol concentrations were lower after the stearic acid diet than the palmitic acid and oleic acid diets (P < 0.01). The stearic acid diet resulted in lower lithocholic acid (P = 0.01) and total secondary bile acid (SBA) concentrations (P = 0.04) than the oleic acid diet. All other outcome measures were similar between diets. Lithocholic acid concentrations were positively correlated with fasting LDL-cholesterol concentrations (r = 0.33; P = 0.011). Total SBA, lithocholic acid, and deoxycholic acid concentrations were negatively correlated with fasting HDL cholesterol (r = -0.51 to -0.44; P < 0.01) concentrations and positively correlated with LDL cholesterol:HDL cholesterol (r = 0.37-0.54; P < 0.01) ratios. Conclusions Dietary stearic acid and oleic acid had similar effects on fasting LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol concentrations and more favorable ones than palmitic acid. Unlike oleic acid, the hypocholesterolemic effect of stearic acid may be mediated by inhibition of intestinal hydrophobic SBA synthesis. These findings add to the data suggesting there should be a reassessment of current SFA dietary guidance and Nutrient Facts panel labeling.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02145936.

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Cited by

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Authors
Meng, H., Matthan, N. R., Wu, D., Li, L., Rodríguez-Morató, J., Cohen, R., Galluccio, J. M., Dolnikowski, G. G., & Lichtenstein, A. H.
Affiliations
Tufts University (US)
Corresponding author
  • Meng, Huicui
  • Lichtenstein, Alice H
ORCID
Venue
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-08
Volume
110
Issue
2
Pages
305-315
ISSN
0002-9165 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1093/ajcn/nqz095
OpenAlex
W2952972747
Cited by
75
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 2
FWCI
7.24
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RECERCAT (Consorci de Serveis Universitaris de Catalunya) (acceptedVersion)
  • Repositori digital de la UPF (Universitat Pompeu Fabra) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Food and Agriculture
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA-NIFA-AFRI-003397, 58-1950-4-401)
  • Marie Skłodowska-Curie (712949)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Cholesterol and Lipid Metabolism
Keywords
stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, saturated fatty acids, dietary fat composition, hypercholesterolemia, postmenopausal women, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, secondary bile acids, lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, inflammation, T cell proliferation, cytokine production, coagulation markers, cardiometabolic risk
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Bile Acids and Salts, Cardiovascular Diseases, Feces, Female, Humans, Hypercholesterolemia, Inflammation, Middle Aged, Risk Factors, Stearic Acids, Postmenopause, Cross-Over Studies, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid

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