Effects of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Intestinal Lipid Metabolism in Insulin-resistant Men (PUFA)

Differential Effects of Saturated and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Chylomicron Secretion and Expression of Key Genes and Proteins That Regulate Intestinal Lipid Metabolism in Men With Dyslipidemia Associated With Insulin-resistance

The overaccumulation of apolipoprotein (apo)B-48-containing lipoproteins of intestinal origin observed in patients with insulin-resistance is now thought to be attributable to both elevated intestinal production and reduced clearance of these lipoproteins. Substantial evidence exists indicating that elevated plasma levels of these lipoproteins are associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Therefore, reduction of atherogenic plasma TRL levels of intestinal origin appears to be crucial to improve CVD risk associated with insulin-resistance. In this regard, there is some evidence that the clinical recommendation to replace dietary saturated fatty acids (SFAs) by n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) reduces CVD risk in the general population. Although the beneficial impact of n-6 PUFAs on CVD risk has been related primarily to favorable changes in plasma LDL-cholesterol levels, recent data suggest that chronic n-6 PUFA consumption may also exert beneficial effects on CVD risk by reducing postprandial lipemia. The impact of substituting SFAs by n-6 PUFAs on postprandial lipid response may be of even greater significance in dyslipidemic patients with insulin-resistance among whom intestinal triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) represent a large proportion of the atherogenic lipoproteins. The general objective of the proposed research is to investigate how dietary n-6 PUFAs in place of SFAs modify intestinal lipoprotein metabolism in men with dyslipidemia associated with insulin-resistance. The investigators hypothesize that the intestinal secretion of apoB-48-containing lipoproteins will be lower following a diet rich in n-6 PUFAs than after consuming a diet rich in SFAs. The investigators also hypothesize that substitution of SFAs by n-6 PUFAs will be associated with significant alterations in expression of key genes and proteins involved in intestinal lipoprotein metabolism.

During 4 weeks, subjects eat a diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (percent of total caloric intake: 15.0% from proteins; 50.0% from carbohydrates; 35.0% from fat: 6.0% from saturated fat; 14.4% from monounsaturated fat; 12.6% from n-6 polyunsaturated fat).

During 4 weeks, subjects eat a diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (percent of total caloric intake: 15.0% from proteins; 50.0% from carbohydrates; 35.0% from fat: 13.4% from saturated fat; 15.3% from monounsaturated fat; 4.0% from n-6 polyunsaturated fat).

During 4 weeks, subjects eat a diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (percent of total caloric intake: 15.0% from proteins; 50.0% from carbohydrates; 35.0% from fat: 6.0% from saturated fat; 14.4% from monounsaturated fat; 12.6% from n-6 polyunsaturated fat).

During 4 weeks, subjects eat a diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (percent of total caloric intake: 15.0% from proteins; 50.0% from carbohydrates; 35.0% from fat: 13.4% from saturated fat; 15.3% from monounsaturated fat; 4.0% from n-6 polyunsaturated fat).

Genes that regulate intestinal lipid absorption that will be measured are Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1), Adenosine triphosphate(ATP)-binding cassette transporters (ABCG5/8), Fatty Acid Binding Protein (FABP), Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein (SREBP-1c).

Genes that regulate intestinal lipid synthesis that will be measured are Acyl-Coenzyme A(CoA):diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT), Acyl-CoA:cholesterol O-acyltransferase 2 (ACAT2) and 3-hydroxy-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG CoA reductase).

Change in synthesis of apoB-48 containing lipoproteins (Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), apoB-48).

Inclusion Criteria: Men aged between 18-60 years Waist circumference > 102 cm HDL-cholesterol < 1.1 mmol/L Triglycerides > 1.7 mmol/L Fasting blood glucose > 6.1 mmol/L Normal blood pressure (<130/85) Exclusion Criteria: Women Men < 18 or > 60 years Smokers (> 1 cigarette/day) Body weight variation > 10% during the last 6 months prior to the study baseline Subjects with a previous history of cardiovascular disease Subjects with type 2 diabetes Subjects with a monogenic dyslipidemia Subjects on hypertension medications or medications known to affect lipoprotein metabolism or the integrity of gastrointestinal mucosa Subjects with endocrine or gastrointestinal disorders History of alcohol or drug abuse within the past 2 years Subjects who are in a situation or have any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with optimal participation in the study.

Drouin-Chartier JP, Tremblay AJ, Lepine MC, Lemelin V, Lamarche B, Couture P. Substitution of dietary omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids for saturated fatty acids decreases LDL apolipoprotein B-100 production rate in men with dyslipidemia associated with insulin resistance: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2018 Jan 1;107(1):26-34. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqx013.