title: Effects of dietary α-linolenic acid from blended oils on biochemical indices of coronary heart disease in indians Decreasing linoleic acid with constant alpha-linolenic acid in dietary fats increases (n-3) eicosapentaenoic acid in plasma phospholipids in healthy men. Plant and marine derived (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids do not affect blood coagulation and fibrinolytic factors in moderately hyperlipidemic humans. Fish oil in combination with high or low intakes of linoleic acid lowers plasma triacylglycerols but does not affect other cardiovascular risk markers in healthy men. Overfeeding Polyunsaturated and Saturated Fat Causes Distinct Effects on Liver and Visceral Fat Accumulation in Humans Effects of flaxseed oil supplementation on plasma adiponectin levels in dyslipidemic men Dietary alpha-linolenic acid decreases C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A and interleukin-6 in dyslipidaemic patients. Lecithin has no effect on serum lipoprotein, plasma fibrinogen and macro molecular protein complex levels in hyperlipidaemic men in a double-blind controlled study Dietary omega-6 fatty acid lowering increases bioavailability of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in human plasma lipid pools. Unsaturated fatty acids are inversely associated and n-6/n-3 ratios are positively related to inflammation and coagulation markers in plasma of apparently healthy adults. The effect of red palm olein and refined palm olein on lipids and haemostatic factors in hyperfibrinogenaemic subjects. Replacement of saturated with unsaturated fats had no impact on vascular function but beneficial effects on lipid biomarkers, E-selectin, and blood pressure: results from the randomized, controlled Dietary Intervention and VAScular function (DIVAS) study. Sesame oil consumption exerts a beneficial effect on endothelial function in hypertensive men Similar effects of diets high in oleic or linoleic acids on coagulation and fibrinolytic factors in healthy humans. The effect of diet enriched with alpha-linolenic acid on soluble cellular adhesion molecules in dyslipidaemic patients. No difference in platelet activation or inflammation markers after diets rich or poor in vegetables, berries and apple in healthy subjects Alpha-linolenic acid supplementation and resistance training in older adults. Effects of diets containing olive oil, sunflower oil, or rapeseed oil on the hemostatic system. A Comparison of Fish Oil, Flaxseed Oil and Hempseed Oil Supplementation on Selected Parameters of Cardiovascular Health in Healthy Volunteers
abstract: PUFA of the n−6 and n−3 series have beneficial effects on key risk factors of coronary heart disease ( CHD ) . Our earlier studies on the intake of FA and on the FA composition of plasma and platelet phospholipids suggested the need to improve the n−3 PUFA nutritional status in the Indian population . The present long-term study was conducted on 80 middle-aged Indian subjects ( 40 men and 40 women ) using the subjects ' own home-prepared diets to evaluate the effects of dietary n−3 PUFA on biochemical indices of CHD risk .  Substitution of Blend G ( equal proportions of groundnut and canola oils ) for groundnut oil or substitution of Blend S ( equal proportions of sunflower and canola oils ) for sunflower oil  increased α-linolenic acid ( ALNA ) fourfold and decreased the linoleic acid (LA)/ALNA ratio from 35 to 6 and 65 to 9 , respectively . Twelve subjects ( six men and six women ) who received Blend G were switched back to groundnut oil and were administered 0.3 g daily of long-chain ( LC ) n−3 PUFA from fish oil . At the end of the trial period for both blends in both sexes , plasma lipid and apolipoprotein levels had not changed , and ADP-induced aggregation had decreased . In plasma and platelet phospholipids , LA as well as LCn-3 PUFA had increased , suggesting competition between LA and ALNA for metabolism into the respective LC-PUFA . Fish oil supplementation  increased LCn-3 PUFA in plasma and platelet phospholipids , decreased ADP-induced platelet aggregation , and increased plasma cholesterol . On the basis of the increased LCn-3 PUFA in plasma phospholipids , it was calculated that 0.75 % energy ( en% ) ( 2.2 g ) ALNA ( from vegetable oils ) may be required to increase LCn-3 PUFA to about the same extent as 0.1 en% ( 0.3 g ) LCn-3 PUFA ( from fish oils ) . Since both n−6 and n−3 PUFA play a critical role in fetal growth and development and in the programming of diet-related chronic diseases in adults , an improvement in the n−3 PUFA nutritional status in cereal-based diets through long-term use of cooking oils containing 25–40 % LA and 4 % ALNA may contribute to the prevention of CHD in Indians High linoleic acid ( LA ) intakes have been suggested to reduce alpha-linolenic acid [ ALA , 18:3(n-3 ) ] metabolism to eicosapentaenoic acid [ EPA , 20:5(n-3 ) ] and docosahexaenoic acid [ DHA , 22:6(n-3 ) ] , and favor high arachidonic acid [ ARA , 20:4(n-6 ) ] . We used a r and omized cross-over study with men ( n = 22 ) to compare the effect of replacing vegetable oils high in LA with oils low in LA in foods , while maintaining constant ALA , for 4 wk each , on plasma ( n-3 ) fatty acids . Nonvegetable sources of fat , except fish and seafoods , were unrestricted . We determined plasma phospholipid fatty acids at wk 0 , 2 , 4 , 6 , and 8 , and triglycerides , cholesterol , serum CRP , and IL-6 , and platelet aggregation at wk 0 , 4 , and 8 .  LA and ALA intakes were 3.8 + /- 0.12 % and 1.0 + /- 0.05 % , and 10.5 + /- 0.53 % and 1.1 + /- 0.06 % energy with LA : ALA ratios of 4:0 and 10:1 during the low and high LA diets , respectively . The plasma phospholipid LA was higher and EPA was lower during the high than during the low LA diet period ( P < 0.001 ) , but DHA declined over the 8-wk period ( r = -0.425 , P < 0.001 ) . The plasma phospholipid ARA : EPA ratios were ( mean + /- SEM ) 20.7 + /- 1.52 and 12.9 + /- 1.01 after 4 wk consuming the high or low LA diets , respectively ( P < 0.001 ) ; LA was inversely associated with EPA ( r = -0.729 , P < 0.001 ) but positively associated with ARA : EPA ( r = 0.432 , P < 0.001 ) . LA intake did not influence ALA , ARA , DPA , DHA , or total , LDL or HDL cholesterol , CRP or IL-6 , or platelet aggregation . In conclusion , high LA intakes decrease plasma phospholipid EPA and increase the ARA : EPA ratio , but do not favor higher ARA Dietary alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) can be converted to long-chain ( n-3 ) PUFA in humans and may potentially reproduce the beneficial effects of eicosapentaenoic ( EPA ) and docosahexaenoic ( DHA ) acids on risk factors for coronary heart disease ( CHD ) . This study compared the effects of increased intakes of ALA with those of dietary EPA and DHA on blood coagulation and fibrinolytic factors in fasting subjects . A placebo-controlled , parallel study was conducted in 150 moderately hyperlipidemic subjects , age 25 - 72 y. Subjects were r and omly assigned to one of five interventions and consumed a total intake of 0.8 or 1.7g/d EPA+DHA , 4.5 or 9.5g/d ALA or control ( linoleic acid ; LA ) for 6 mo . Fatty acids were incorporated into 25 g of fat spread , which replaced the subject 's normal spread and three capsules . Long-term supplementation with either dietary EPA+DHA or estimated biologically equivalent amounts of ALA did not affect factors VIIa , VIIc , VIIag , XIIa , XIIag , fibrinogen concentrations , plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 or tissue plasminogen activator activity compared with the control . ( n-3 ) PUFA of plant or marine origin do not differ from one another or from LA in their effect on a range of blood coagulation and fibrinolytic factors Both ( n-3 ) long-chain PUFA ( LCPUFA ) and linoleic acid [ LA , 18:2(n-6 ) ] improve cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk factors , but a high-LA intake may weaken the effect of ( n-3 ) LCPUFA . In a controlled , double-blind , 2 x 2-factorial 8-wk intervention , we investigated whether fish oil combined with a high- or low-LA intake affects overall CVD risk profile .  Healthy men ( n = 64 ) were r and omized to 5 mL/d fish oil capsules ( FO ) [ mean intake 3.1 g/d ( n-3 ) LCPUFA ] or olive oil capsules ( control ) and to oils and spreads with either a high ( S/B ) or a low ( R/K ) LA content , result ing in a 7.3 g/d higher LA intake in the S/B groups than in the R/K groups . Diet , ( n-3 ) LCPUFA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells , blood pressure ( BP ) , heart rate ( HR ) , and plasma CVD risk markers were measured before and after the intervention . FO lowered fasting plasma triacylglycerol ( TAG ) ( P < 0.001 ) by 51 % and 19 % in the FO+R/K-group and FO+S/B-group , respectively , which was also reflected in postpr and ial TAG measured after the intervention ( P < 0.01 ) . Although a fat x FO interaction was found for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 , neither the FO nor fat intervention affected fasting plasma cholesterol , glucose , insulin , fibrinogen , C-reactive protein , interleukin-6 , vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 , P-selectin , oxidized LDL , cluster of differentiation antigen 40 lig and ( CD40L ) , adiponectin , or fasting or postpr and ial BP or HR after adjustment for body weight changes . In conclusion , neither fish oil supplementation nor the LA intake had immediate pronounced effects on the overall CVD risk profile  in healthy men , but fish oil lowered plasma TAG in healthy subjects with initially low concentrations Excess ectopic fat storage is linked to type 2 diabetes . The importance of dietary fat composition for ectopic fat storage in humans is unknown . We investigated liver fat accumulation and body composition during overfeeding saturated fatty acids ( SFAs ) or polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) . LIPOGAIN was a double-blind , parallel-group , r and omized trial . Thirty-nine young and normal-weight individuals were overfed muffins high in SFAs ( palm oil ) or n-6 PUFAs ( sunflower oil ) for 7 weeks .  Liver fat , visceral adipose tissue ( VAT ) , abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue ( SAT ) , total adipose tissue , pancreatic fat , and lean tissue were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging . Transcriptomics were performed in SAT . Both groups gained similar weight . SFAs , however , markedly increased liver fat compared with PUFAs and caused a twofold larger increase in VAT than PUFAs . Conversely , PUFAs caused a nearly threefold larger increase in lean tissue than SFAs . Increase in liver fat directly correlated with changes in plasma SFAs and inversely with PUFAs . Genes involved in regulating energy dissipation , insulin resistance , body composition , and fat-cell differentiation in SAT were differentially regulated between diets , and associated with increased PUFAs in SAT . In conclusion , overeating SFAs promotes hepatic and visceral fat storage , whereas excess energy from PUFAs may instead promote lean tissue in healthy humans Background Dietary alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) has been associated with reduced risk of development of atherosclerosis . Adiponectin is a hormone specifically secreted by adipocytes and considered to have anti-atherogenic properties . Aim of the study We examined the effect of increased dietary intake of ALA on plasma concentration of adiponectin . Methods Thirty-five non-diabetic , dyslipidemic men , 38–71 years old , were r and omly allocated to take either 15 ml of flaxseed oil rich in ALA ( 8.1 g/day ; n = 18 ) , or 15 ml of safflower oil per day , containing the equivalent n-6 fatty acid ( 11.2 g/day linoleic acid , LA ; n = 17 ) ( control group ) . The intervention period lasted for 12 weeks . Results Plasma levels of adiponectin did not change after the increase in dietary intake of ALA in the flaxseed oil supplementation group , compared to the control group . No changes in body mass index , serum lipid concentrations , LDL density , or plasma TNF-α were found in the flaxseed oil versus the control group . Conclusions Dietary ALA has no effect on plasma adiponectin concentration in dyslipidemic men BACKGROUND Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease . We examined whether dietary supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA , 18:3n-3 ) affects the levels of inflammatory markers in dyslipidaemic patients . METHODS We recruited 76 male dyslipidaemic patients ( mean age=51+/-8 years ) following a typical Greek diet . They were r and omly assigned either to 15 ml of linseed oil ( rich in ALA ) per day ( n=50 ) or to 15 ml of safflower oil ( rich in linoleic acid ( LA , 18:2n-6 ) ) per day ( n=26 ) . The ratio of n-6:n-3 in linseed oil supplemented group was 1.3:1 and in safflower oil supplemented group 13.2:1 . Dietary intervention lasted for 3 months . Blood lipids and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , serum amyloid A ( SAA ) , and interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) levels were determined prior and after intervention . CRP and SAA were measured by nephelometry and IL-6 by immunoassay . RESULTS Dietary supplementation with ALA decreased significantly CRP , SAA and IL-6 levels . The median decrease of CRP was 38 % ( 1.24 vs. 0.93 mg/l , P=0.0008 ) , of SAA 23.1 % ( 3.24 vs. 2.39 mg/l , P=0.0001 ) and of IL-6 10.5 % ( 2.18 vs. 1.7 pg/ml , P=0.01 ) . The decrease of inflammatory markers was independent of lipid changes . Dietary supplementation with LA did not affect significantly CRP , SAA and IL-6 concentrations but decreased cholesterol levels . CONCLUSIONS Dietary supplementation with ALA for 3 months decreases significantly CRP , SAA and IL-6 levels  in dyslipidaemic patients . This anti-inflammatory effect may provide a possible additional mechanism for the beneficial effect of plant n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease Objective : To examine the effects of lecithin on serum lipoprotein , plasma fibrinogen and macro molecular protein complex ( MPC ) levels . Subjects and study design : Twenty free living hyperlipidaemic men participated in this double-blind study which controlled for possible indirect effects . The subjects were r and omly assigned to one of three treatments : frozen yoghurt or frozen yoghurt with 20 g soya bean lecithin or frozen yoghurt with 17 g sunflower oil . Sunflower oil was used to control for the increased energy and linoleic acid intake from lecithin . Yoghurt served as the ‘ vehicle ’ for the lecithin and sunflower oil and yoghurt alone was given to one group to control for possible effects due to the yoghurt ‘ vehicle ’ , as well as other environmental influences . Variables were measured with st and ard methods twice at baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment . Results : Plasma linoleic acid levels increased significantly with lecithin and sunflower oil treatments indicating that compliance to the treatments were obtained . Lecithin treatment did not have significant effects on serum total cholesterol , triglyceride , high density lipoprotein cholesterol , low density lipoprotein cholesterol , apolipoprotein A , apolipoprotein B or lipoprotein ( a ) levels . Plasma fibrinogen and MPC levels were also not affected by lecithin therapy . Sunflower oil treatment result ed in significant increased body weight , serum TC and decreased MPC levels . Conclusion : Lecithin treatment had no independent effects on serum lipoprotein , plasma fibrinogen or MPC levels in hyperlipidaemic men . Sponsorship : Drybean Producers Organisation ( South Africa ) ; Chempure cc ( South Africa ) ; SACCA , Pty . Ltd. ( South Africa ) BACKGROUND Dietary linoleic acid ( LA , 18:2n-6 ) lowering  in rats reduces n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ( PUFA ) plasma concentrations and increases n-3 PUFA ( eicosapentaenoic ( EPA ) and docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) ) concentrations . OBJECTIVE To evaluate the extent to which 12 weeks of dietary n-6 PUFA lowering , with or without increased dietary n-3 PUFAs , alters unesterified and esterified plasma n-6 and n-3 PUFA concentrations in subjects with chronic headache . DESIGN Secondary analysis of a r and omized trial . Subjects with chronic headache were r and omized for 12 weeks to ( 1 ) average n-3 , low n-6 ( L6 ) diet ; or ( 2 ) high n-3 , low n-6 LA ( H3-L6 ) diet .  Esterified and unesterified plasma fatty acids were quantified at baseline ( 0 weeks ) and after 12 weeks on a diet . RESULTS Compared to baseline , the L6 diet reduced esterified plasma LA and increased esterified n-3 PUFA concentrations ( nmol/ml ) , but did not significantly change plasma arachidonic acid ( AA , 20:4n-6 ) concentration . In addition , unesterified EPA concentration was increased significantly among unesterified fatty acids . The H3-L6 diet decreased esterified LA and AA concentrations , and produced more marked increases in esterified and unesterified n-3 PUFA concentrations . CONCLUSION Dietary n-6 PUFA lowering for 12 weeks significantly reduces LA and increases n-3 PUFA concentrations in plasma , without altering plasma AA concentration . A concurrent increase in dietary n-3 PUFAs for 12 weeks further increases n-3 PUFA plasma concentrations and reduces AA BACKGROUND Blood lipids and inflammatory markers levels have been associated with the development and progression of atherosclerosis . As the association of inflammatory markers with plasma fatty acids has not been extensively evaluated and understood , we sought to investigate the associations between dietary and plasma fatty acids with various inflammation and coagulation markers . METHODS High sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hsCRP ) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-alpha ) , fibrinogen , and homocysteine were measured in serum of 374 free-living , healthy men and women , r and omly selected from the ATTICA 's study data base .  Total plasma fatty acids  were determined by gas chromatography . Dietary fatty acids  were assessed through a semi-quantitative FFQ . RESULTS Multi-adjusted regression analyses revealed that plasma n-3 fatty acids were inversely associated with CRP , IL-6 and TNF-alpha ; plasma n-6 fatty acids were inversely associated with CRP , IL-6 and fibrinogen ; monounsaturated fatty acids were inversely associated with CRP and IL-6 ( all p-values<0.05 ) . Interestingly , the n-6/n-3 ratios exhibited the strongest positive correlations with all the markers studied . No associations were observed between dietary fatty acids and the investigated markers . CONCLUSIONS Measurements of total plasma fatty acids could provide insights into the relationships between diet and atherosclerotic disease . Moreover , the n-6/n-3 ratio may constitute a predictor of low- grade inflammation and coagulation Little is known about the physiological effects of red palm olein ( RPO ) . The effects of red palm olein and palm olein ( POL ) compared to sunflower oil ( SFO ) , on lipids , haemostatic factors and fibrin network characteristics in hyperfibrinogenaemic volunteers were investigated . Fifty-nine free-living , hyperfibrinogenaemic volunteers participated in this r and omized , controlled , single blind parallel study . After a 4-week run-in , during which subjects received sunflower oil products , they were paired and r and omly assigned to one of three intervention groups receiving products containing 25 g/day ( approximately 12 % of total energy intake ) of either red palm olein , palm olein or sunflower oil for another 4 weeks . Anthropometric measurements , blood sample s and dietary intakes were measured before run-in , and before and after intervention . The differences in changes in total serum cholesterol response between palm olein and red palm olein ( + 0.59 vs. + 0.18 mmol/l ; p=0.053 ) , and between palm olein and sunflower oil ( + 0.59 vs. -0.003 mmol/l ; p < or = 0.01 ) were significant . The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDLC ) response in the palm olein- and sunflower oil-groups also differed significantly ( + 0.42 vs. -0.11 mmol/l ; p < or = 0.01 ) . Tissue plasminogen activator antigen ( tPA(ag ) ) decreased significantly in the red palm olein group compared to the palm olein- and sunflower oil-groups . No effects were found in other haemostatic variables .  Palm olein and red palm olein had no independent effect on fibrin network characteristics . In conclusion , compared to palm olein , red palm olein had less detrimental effects on the lipid profile and decreased tissue plasminogen activator antigen . Studies in larger groups are advised for confirmation of results , elucidation of mechanisms and effects of nonglyceride constituents of red palm oil ( PO ) BACKGROUND Public health strategies to lower cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk involve reducing dietary saturated fatty acid ( SFA ) intake to ≤10 % of total energy ( % TE ) . However , the optimal type of replacement fat is unclear . OBJECTIVE We investigated the substitution of 9.5 - 9.6%TE dietary SFAs with either monounsaturated fatty acids ( MUFAs ) or n-6 ( ω-6 ) polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) on vascular function and other CVD risk factors . DESIGN In a r and omized , controlled , single-blind , parallel-group dietary intervention , 195 men and women aged 21 - 60 y from the United Kingdom with moderate CVD risk ( ≥50 % above the population mean ) followed one of three 16-wk isoenergetic diets ( % TE target compositions , total fat : SFA : MUFA : n-6 PUFA ) that were rich in SFAs ( 36:17:11:4 , n = 65 ) , MUFAs ( 36:9:19:4 , n = 64 ) , or n-6 PUFAs ( 36:9:13:10 , n = 66 ) . The primary outcome measure was flow-mediated dilatation ; secondary outcome measures included fasting serum lipids , microvascular reactivity , arterial stiffness , ambulatory blood pressure , and markers of insulin resistance , inflammation , and endothelial activation . RESULTS Replacing SFAs with MUFAs or n-6 PUFAs did not affect the percentage of flow-mediated dilatation ( primary endpoint ) or other measures of vascular reactivity . Of the secondary outcome measures , substitution of SFAs with MUFAs attenuated the increase in night systolic blood pressure ( -4.9 mm Hg , P = 0.019 ) and reduced E-selectin ( -7.8 % , P = 0.012 ) . Replacement with MUFAs or n-6 PUFAs lowered fasting serum total cholesterol ( -8.4 % and -9.2 % , respectively ) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( -11.3 % and -13.6 % ) , and total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio ( -5.6 % and -8.5 % ) ( P ≤ 0.001 ) . These changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol equate to an estimated 17 - 20 % reduction in CVD mortality . CONCLUSIONS Substitution of 9.5 - 9.6%TE dietary SFAs with either MUFAs or n-6 PUFAs did not significantly affect the percentage of flow-mediated dilatation or other measures of vascular function . However , the beneficial effects on serum lipid biomarkers , blood pressure , and E-selectin offer a potential public health strategy for CVD risk reduction . This trial was registered at www . clinical trials.gov as NCT01478958 Background : The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of sesame oil on endothelial function and to detect the underlying mechanisms , both in the postpr and ial state and after long-term consumption . Design : We enrolled 30 hypertensive men in a two-phase study . In the first phase , 26 volunteers consumed 35 g of either sesame oil or control oil .  Endothelial function , inflammatory activation and nitric oxide syntase ( NOS ) inhibition was assessed after a 12-hour fast and 2 hours after consumption of an oil-containing st and ardized meal . In the second phase , 30 volunteers consumed 35 g of sesame oil or control oil daily for 2 months and the above-mentioned parameters were assessed at baseline , 15 , 30 and 60 days . Methods : Endothelial function was estimated by endothelium-dependent FMD ( flow-mediated dilatation ) of the brachial artery . Results : Flow-mediated dilatation ( FMD ) improved significantly both after acute ( p = 0.001 ) and long-term sesame oil consumption ( p = 0.015 , p = 0.005 and p = 0.011 for 15 , 30 and 60 days respectively ) . Intracellular adhesion molecule ( ICAM ) levels decreased significantly after only 60 days of daily sesame oil intake ( p = 0.014 ) . By contrast , no changes were observed in the control group in either phase of the study . Conclusions : This is the first study to show that sesame oil consumption exerts a beneficial effect on endothelial function and this effect is sustained with long-term daily use BACKGROUND AND AIM Monounsaturated fatty acids ( MUFA ) have been shown to be beneficial . Their haemostatic effects , however , are poorly known . We compared the effects of oleic acid ( OA ) and linoleic acid ( LA ) on variables related with coagulation and fibrinolysis in healthy subjects . METHODS AND RESULTS Thirty-eight healthy volunteers ( 20 women , 18 men ; mean age 27 ) consumed a saturated fat baseline diet for four weeks and were then switched to either a high LA diet ( 11.5 en% ) or a high OA diet ( 18.0 en% ) for another four weeks when nearly all food was provided for the whole day . A control group of 13 subjects consumed their habitual diet throughout the study . No differences between the OA and LA diets were found in the plasma levels of fibrinogen , plasminogen activator inhibitor , antithrombin III , von Willebr and factor antigen or D-dimers . Factor FVII coagulant activity was significantly lower after the OA diet . CONCLUSIONS The results indicate largely similar effects for OA and LA on factors related with coagulation and fibrinolysis in humans . The effects of dietary fatty acid composition on FVII coagulant activity should be further studied BACKGROUND Leukocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration , the critical pathogenic components in the development of atherosclerotic lesions , are largely mediated by cellular adhesion molecules ( CAMs ) . We examined whether dietary supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA , 18:3n-3 ) affects the levels of soluble forms of CAMs in dyslipidaemic patients . METHODS We recruited 90 male dyslipidaemic patients ( mean age=51+/-8 years ) following a typical Greek diet . They were r and omly assigned either to 15 ml of linseed oil ( rich in ALA ) per day ( n=60 ) or to 15 ml of safflower oil ( rich in linoleic acid [ LA , 18:2n-6 ] ) per day ( n=30 ) . The ratio of n-6:n-3 in linseed oil supplemented group was 1.3:1 and in safflower oil supplemented group 13.2:1 . Dietary intervention lasted for 12 weeks . Blood lipids , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( sICAM-1 ) , soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 ( sVCAM-1 ) and soluble E-selectin ( sE-selectin ) were measured . RESULTS Dietary supplementation with ALA significantly decreased sVCAM-1 levels ( median decrease 18.7 % [ 577.5 ng/ml versus 487 ng/ml , P=0.0001 ] ) . In the LA supplemented group , sVCAM-1 was also significantly decreased but to a lesser extent ( median decrease 10.6 % [ 550.5 ng/ml versus 496 ng/ml , P=0.0001 ] ) . After controlling for smoking habits , no significant difference was observed in the reduction of sVCAM-1 levels between the two treatment arms ( P=0.205 ) . The decrease of sVCAM-1 was independent of lipid changes in both groups . CONCLUSIONS Dietary supplementation with ALA for 12 weeks significantly decreases sVCAM-1 levels in dyslipidaemic patients . This effect presents a potential mechanism for the beneficial effect of plant n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the prevention of coronary artery disease . In addition , dietary supplementation with LA significantly decreases sVCAM-1 levels , an effect which requires further investigation Summary . Background : High intake of vegetables and fruits is associated with decreased risk of coronary heart disease . Part of these cardioprotective effects may be mediated via the antithrombotic effects of compounds found in vegetables and fruits , such as flavonoids . Aim of the study : To study the effects of high and low intake of vegetables , berries and apple on platelet function and inflammatory markers . Methods : The study was a r and omised , controlled parallel human dietary intervention with healthy female and male volunteers ( n = 77 , 19–52 y ) . Nineteen healthy volunteers served as controls . The volunteers consumed one of four strictly controlled isocaloric 6-week diets containing either 810 or 196 g/10 MJ of vegetables , berries and apple and rich either in linoleic acid ( 11 % of energy , en% ) or oleic acid ( 12 en% ) . Blood and three 24-hour urine sample s were collected at the beginning and at the end of the study period for analyses of various markers of platelet function and inflammation . Results : No differences between the treatment groups were seen in platelet count or volume , markers of platelet activation ( ex vivo aggregation to ADP and thrombin receptor activating peptide , protein kinase C activity , urinary 2,3-dinor-thromboxane B2 excretion , plasma P-selectin ) , plasma intercellular adhesion molecule-1 , sensitive C-reactive protein , or antiphospholipid antibodies . Conclusions : The results indicate that in healthy volunteers 6-week diets differing markedly in the amounts of vegetables , berries and apple do not differ in their effects on platelets or inflammation Increased inflammation with aging has been linked to sarcopenia . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing older adults with alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) during a resistance training program , based on the hypothesis that ALA decreases the plasma concentration of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 , which in turn would improve muscle size and strength . Fifty-one older adults ( 65.4 + /- 0.8 years ) were r and omized to receive ALA in flax oil ( ~14 g.day-1 ) or placebo for 12 weeks while completing a resistance training program ( 3 days a week ) . Subjects were evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks for muscle thickness of knee and elbow flexors and extensors ( B-mode ultrasound ) , muscle strength ( 1 repetition maximum ) , body composition ( dual energy X-ray absorptiometry ) , and concentrations of TNF-alpha and IL-6 . Males supplementing with ALA  decreased IL-6 concentration over the 12 weeks ( 62 + /- 36 % decrease ; p = 0.003 ) , with no other changes in inflammatory cytokines . Chest and leg press strength , lean tissue mass , muscle thickness , hip bone mineral content and density , and total bone mineral content significantly increased , and percent fat and total body mass decreased with training ( p < 0.05 ) , with the only benefit of ALA being a significantly greater increase in knee flexor muscle thickness in males ( p < 0.05 ) . Total-body bone mineral density improved in the placebo group , with no change in the ALA group ( p = 0.05 ) . ALA supplementation lowers the IL-6 concentration in older men but not women , but had minimal effect on muscle mass and strength during resistance training Various studies have already shown that the fatty acid composition of dietary fat has different effects on hemostasis and platelet function . However , knowledge on this topic is incomplete . In the present study , fifty-eight healthy students received either a 4-week rapeseed oil [ high content of monounsaturated fatty acids ( MUFA ) and high n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio ] , an olive oil ( high content of MUFA , low n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio ) or a sunflower oil ( low content of MUFA , low n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio ) diet . In each group , effects on hemostatic parameters were compared with a wash-in diet rich in saturated fatty acids with respect to intermediate-time effects on the hemostatic system and platelet function . With the olive oil diet , a reduction of coagulation factors VIIc , XIIc , XIIa , and Xc was found , whereas sunflower oil led to lower values of coagulation factors XIIc , XIIa , and IXc . In all study groups levels of plasmin-alpha2-antiplasmin were lower in week 4 than at baseline . Lower fibrinogen binding on platelets was found after the sunflower oil diet , whereas expression of CD62 and spontaneous platelet aggregation were slightly higher after the olive oil diet . However , given the major differences in the fatty acid compositions of the diets , the differences between the groups with respect to hemostasis tended to be small . Therefore , the clinical significance of the present findings remains to be evaluated Objective : The impact of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) of the n-6 and n-3 series on the cardiovascular system is well documented . To directly compare the effects of three dietary oils ( fish , flaxseed and hempseed ) given in concentrations expected to be self-administered in the general population on specific cardiovascular parameters in healthy volunteers . Design : 86 healthy male and female volunteers completed a 12 week double blinded , placebo controlled , clinical trial . They were r and omly assigned to one of the four groups . Subjects were orally supplemented with two 1 gm capsules of placebo , fish oil , flaxseed oil or hempseed oil per day for 12 weeks . Results : Plasma levels of the n-3 fatty acids docosahexanoic acid and eicosapentanoic acid increased after 3 months supplementation with fish oil .  Alpha linolenic acid concentrations increased transiently after flaxseed supplementation . However , supplementation with hempseed oil did not significantly alter the concentration of any plasma fatty acid . The lipid parameters ( TC , HDL-C , LDL-C and TG ) did not show any significant differences among the four groups . Oxidative modification of LDL showed no increase in lag time over the 12 wk period . None of the dietary interventions induced any significant change in collagen or thrombin stimulated platelet aggregation and no increase in the level of inflammatory markers was observed . Conclusion : From a consumer 's perspective , ingesting 2 capsules of any of these oils in an attempt to achieve cardiovascular health benefits may not provide the desired or expected result over a 3 month period
target: However , subgroup and meta-regression analysis suggested that in subjects with a more profound increase of dietary LA intake , LA might increase the blood CRP level .
  Other acute phase reactants including fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and adhesion molecules were not significantly changed when LA was increased in diet .
  Our meta- analysis suggested that increasing dietary LA intake does not have a significant effect on the blood concentrations of inflammatory markers .
  However , the extent of change in dietary LA intake might affect the effect of LA supplementation on CRP
background: PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of increasing dietary linoleic acid ( LA ) intake on the blood concentrations of inflammatory markers including cytokines , acute phase reactants and adhesion molecules in adults .