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Effect of CLA supplementation on immune function in young healthy volunteers

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 59, pages 508–517 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives:

This study investigated the effect of dietary CLA supplementation (3g/day; 50:50 mix of the two major isomers) on the immune system and plasma lipids and glucose of healthy human (male and female) volunteers.

Design:

Double-blind, randomized, reference-controlled study.

Subject and intervention:

A total of 28 healthy male and female participants aged 25–50 y received either high oleic sunflower oil (reference) or 50% CLA 9–11 and 50% CLA 10–12 CLA isomers (50:50 CLA-triglyceride form). The treatments were given as supplements in soft-gel capsules providing a total 3 g (6 × 500 mg capsules) per day in treatment groups for 12 weeks. A 12-week washout period followed the intervention period.

Results:

Levels of plasma IgA and IgM were increased (P<0.05 and 0.01 respectively), while plasma IgE levels were decreased (P<0.05). CLA supplementation also decreased the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.05), but increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 (P<0.05). Another aspect of immune function, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, was decreased during and after CLA supplementation (P<0.05). However, plasma glucose, lipids, lymphocyte phenotypic results were not affected significantly by CLA.

Conclusion:

This is the first study to show that CLA, a fatty acid naturally found in dairy and meat products, can beneficially affect immune function in healthy human volunteers.

Sponsorship:

This study was supported by Loders-Croklaan, The Netherlands and SEERAD (Scottish Executive Environmental Rural and Agriculture Department).

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Acknowledgements

We thank Loders-Croklaan, The Netherlands and SEERAD (Scottish Executive Environmental Rural and Agriculture Department) for their sponsorship. In addition we thank all volunteers for their participation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, UK

    H-J Song & K W J Wahle

  2. The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK

    H-J Song, I Grant & K W J Wahle

  3. Strathclyde University, Glasgow, UK

    D Rotondo

  4. Loders-Croklaan, Wormerveer, The Netherlands

    I Mohede

  5. Pathological Biochemistry, Glasgow University, Glasgow, UK

    N Sattar

  6. Surgical & Nutritional Oncology, Medical School, Aberdeen University, UK

    S D Heys

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  1. H-J Song
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to K W J Wahle.

Additional information

Guarantor: KWJ Wahle.

Contributors: KJWJ, DR, IM, SDH designed the study supervised experiment work. H-JS, IG conducted experiment work. NS analysed CRP results. H-JS wrote the manuscript with input from all authors.

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Song, HJ., Grant, I., Rotondo, D. et al. Effect of CLA supplementation on immune function in young healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Nutr 59, 508–517 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602102

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602102

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