Trans isomeric fatty acids as confounding
variables in studies on perinatal LC-PUFA supply
Tamás Decsi
Department of Paediatrics, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
Introduction In several in vitro studies and animal experiments, trans isomeric fatty acids were found to interfere with the availability of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs). Here we attempt to systematically review data on this phenomenon in humans in the perinatal period.
Methods: A MEDLINE search was carried out by using the PubMed utility for the phrases (trans * fatty acid*) with (arachidonic acid or docosahexaenoic acid or essential fatty acid or LC*PUFA). The list of references in published articles and the expert opinions of colleagues were also uf tilized. Five publications reporting significant associations between trans fatty acids and LC-PUFA status or development in the perinatal period were identified.
Results: Significant inverse correlations were reported between trans isomeric fatty acids and LC-PUFAs in cord blood lipids both in healthy full-term infants (Ellias & Innis, 2001) and in full-term infants with an atopic trait (Decsi et al, 2001), as well as in cord vessel wall lipids in healthy full-term infants (Decsi et al, 2002), and in plasma lipids in very young preterm infants (Koletzko, 1992).
Moreover, significant inverse correlation was found between infantile plasma trans fatty acids values and birth weight in preterm infants (Koletzko, 1992), and between maternal plasma trans fatty acid values and birth weight and gestational age in a group consisting of both preterm and full-term infants (Jendryczko et al, 1993).
Conclusions: It remains to be clarified whether the interference of trans fatty acids with LC-PUFAs might lead to any disturbance of perinatal development. It can be concluded even now, however, that trans isomeric fatty acids should be regarded as potential confounding variables in studies investigating the availability and role of LC-PUFAs in the perinatal period.
References:
Decsi T, Boehm G, Tjoonk HMR, Molnár S, Dijck-Brouwer DAJ, Hadders-Algra M, Martini I, Muskiet FAJ, Boersma RE: Trans isomeric octadecenoic acids are related inversely to arachidonic acid and DHA and positively to Mead acid in umbilical vessel wall lipids. Lipids 37:959-965, 2002
Decsi T, Burus I, Molnár S, Minda H, Veitl V: Inverse association between trans isomeric and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in cord blood lipids of full-term infants. Am J Clin Nutr 74:364-368, 2001
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Elias SL, Innis SM: Infant plasma trans, n-6, and n-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids are related to maternal plasma fatty acids, length of gestation, and birth weight and length. Am J Clin Nutr 73:807-814, 2001
Jendryczko A, Gruszczynski J, Tomala J, Szpyrka G: Nienasycone kwasy tluszczowe izomerii trans w osoczu krwi kobiet ciezarnych a masa urodzeniowa noworodka (Unsaturated fatty acids of trans isomers in plasma of pregnant women and newborn birth weight, in Polish with English summary). Gin Pol 64: 113-116, 1993
Koletzko B. Trans fatty acids may impair biosynthesis of long-chain polyunsaturates and growth in man. Acta Paediatr Scand 81:302-306, 1992
