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Effects of trans- and n-3 unsaturated fatty acids on cardiovascular risk markers in healthy males. An 8 weeks dietary intervention study

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 58, pages 1062–1070 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Background: Studies of long-term intake of industrially produced trans fatty acids (TFA) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) suggest opposite effects on cardiovascular disease risk. Common mechanisms of action are probable.

Objective: To examine the effects on cardiovascular risk markers of dietary enrichment with TFA or n-3 PUFA.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, parallel intervention trial.

Setting: Department of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University.

Subjects: In all, 87 healthy males included, 79 completed.

Intervention: Subjects were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of a daily intake of 33 g of experimental fats from either partially hydrogenated soy oil containing 20 g of TFA, 12 g of fish oil with approximately 4 g of n-3 PUFA and 21 g of control fat, or 33 g of control fat. The experimental fats were incorporated into bakery products. Plasma lipids, blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV), arterial dilatory capacity, compliance, and distensibility were recorded before and after intervention and at follow-up 12 weeks after the intervention.

Results: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased in the TFA group and triglycerides and mean arterial blood pressure decreased in the n-3 PUFA group compared to the control group. HRV, arterial dilatory capacity, compliance, and distensibility were unchanged.

Conclusion: The results indicate that the association between coronary heart disease risk and intake of TFA and n-3 PUFA relates only modestly to changes in traditional risk markers.

Sponsorship: Danish Medical Research Council (Grant no. 22-01-0390), Center of Advanced Food Research (Copenhagen, Denmark) (Grant no. KVL-R-2001-107), the Danish Heart Association (Grant no. 99-2-3-45-22748), Novozymes (Bagsvaerd, Denmark), Aarhus Olie (Aarhus, Denmark), and from private sources. The experimental fats were provided by Pronova Biocare (Aalesund, Norway) and Aarhus Olie (Aarhus, Denmark).

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Acknowledgements

The technical assistance of Inge Aardestrup, Birgitte Olander, Birte Nielsen, Ella Jessen and Birthe Nielsen is highly appreciated.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    J Dyerberg, D C Eskesen, A Astrup, B Buemann, T Tholstrup & S Toubro

  2. Department Oncology, Aalborg Hospital, Århus University Hospitals, Aalborg, Denmark

    P W Andersen

  3. Department Nephrology, Aalborg Hospital, Århus University Hospitals, Aalborg, Denmark

    J H Christensen

  4. Department Nephrology, Rigshospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    P Clausen & B F Rasmussen

  5. Department Cardiology, Aalborg Hospital, Århus University Hospitals, Aalborg, Denmark

    E B Schmidt

  6. Department Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University and Department Cardiology, Aalborg Hospital, Århus University Hospitals, Aalborg, Denmark

    E Toft

  7. Department Clinical Biochemistry, Gentofte University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    S Stender

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  1. J Dyerberg
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Contributions

Guarantors: Jørn Dyerberg: Protocol design, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting of the manuscript, critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content, study supervision. Dorte Cecilie Eskesen: Acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of AC and AD data, drafting of the manuscript, critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content, dietary counseling.

Contributors: Petra W. Andersen: Analysis and interpretation of HRV data. Arne Astrup: Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. Benjamin Buemann: Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. Jeppe Hagstrup Christensen: Analysis and interpretation of HRV data, statistical expertise, critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. Peter Clausen: Acquisition, analysis and interpretation of FMD and NID data. Drafting of the manuscript, critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content, study supervision. Bo Feldt Rasmussen: Acquisition, analysis and interpretation of FMD and NID data. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. Erik Berg Schmidt: Acquisition and analysis of fatty acid data. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. Tine Tholstrup: Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content, dietary counseling. Egon Toft: Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. Søren Toubro: Analysis and interpretation of data, critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. Steen Stender: Protocol design, analysis and interpretation of data, critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content.

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Correspondence to J Dyerberg.

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Dyerberg, J., Eskesen, D., Andersen, P. et al. Effects of trans- and n-3 unsaturated fatty acids on cardiovascular risk markers in healthy males. An 8 weeks dietary intervention study. Eur J Clin Nutr 58, 1062–1070 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601934

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Keywords

  • n-3 PUFA
  • trans fatty acids
  • heart rate variability
  • arterial compliance
  • arterial dilatory capacity
  • plasma lipids

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