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The effects of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on immune function in healthy volunteers

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 59, pages 742–750 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the effects of dietary supplementation using two isomeric blends of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on immune function in healthy human volunteers.

Design:

Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled intervention trial.

Subjects and intervention:

A total of 55 healthy volunteers (n=20 males, n=35 females) were randomised into one of three study groups who received 3 g/day of a fatty acid blend containing a 50:50 cis-9, trans-11: trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomer blend (2 g CLA), and 80:20 cis-9, trans-11: trans-10, cis-12 (80:20) CLA isomer blend (1.76 g CLA) or linoleic acid (control, 2 g linoleic acid) for 8 weeks.

Results:

Supplementation with the 80:20 CLA isomer blend significantly (P≤0.05) enhanced PHA-induced lymphocyte proliferation. CLA decreased basal interleukin (IL)-2 secretion (P≤0.01) and increased PHA-induced IL-2 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) production (P≤0.01). However, these effects were not solely attributable to CLA as similar results were observed with linoleic acid. CLA supplementation had no significant effect on peripheral blood mononuclear cells IL-4 production, or on serum-soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) or plasma prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or leukotreine B4 (LTB4) concentrations.

Conclusions:

This study shows that CLA supplementation had a minimal effect on the markers of human immune function. Furthermore, supplementation with CLA had no immunological benefit compared with linoleic acid.

Sponsorship:

CLA supplements were provided by Loders Croklaan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Nutrition, Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

    A P Nugent, H M Roche, E J Noone & M J Gibney

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland

    A Long

  3. Dublin Molecular Medicine Centre & Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

    D K Kelleher

Authors
  1. A P Nugent
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  2. H M Roche
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  3. E J Noone
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  4. A Long
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  5. D K Kelleher
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  6. M J Gibney
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to H M Roche.

Additional information

Guarantors: AP Nugent and HM Roche.

Contributors: APN analysed the data and wrote the paper. HMR, EJN, AL, DKK and MJG provided consultation on the interpretation of the results and commented on the paper.

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Nugent, A., Roche, H., Noone, E. et al. The effects of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on immune function in healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Nutr 59, 742–750 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602132

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602132

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