Effects of conjugated linoleic acid plus n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on insulin secretion and estimated insulin sensitivity in men

B. Ahren, A. Mari, Claire Fyfe, F. Tsofliou, Alan Arthur Sneddon, Klaus Wilfried Juergen Wahle, M. S. Winzell, G. Pacini, Lynda Williams

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Dietary addition of either conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) has been shown to alter adiposity and circulating lipids, risk markers of cardiovascular diseases. However, CLA may decrease insulin sensitivity, an effect that may be reversed by n-3 LC-PUFA. Thus, the potential of CLA plus n-3 LC-PUFA to affect insulin secretion and sensitivity in non-diabetic young and old, lean and obese subjects was tested.

Subjects/Methods: CLA (3 g daily) plus n-3 LC-PUFA (3 g daily) or control oil (6 g daily) was given to lean (n = 12; BMI 20-26 kg/m(2)) or obese (n = 10; BMI 29-35 kg/m(2)) young (20-37 years old) or lean (n = 16) or obese (n = 11) older men (50-65 years) for 12 weeks. The study had a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized crossover design, and primary end points were insulin secretion and sensitivity during a standardized meal test, evaluated by modeling glucose, insulin and C-peptide data.

Results: The combination was well tolerated. There was no significant difference in fasting levels of glucose, insulin or C-peptide after CLA/n-3 LC-PUFA treatment compared with control oil. Neither insulin secretion nor estimated sensitivity was affected by CLA/n-3 LC-PUFA in lean or obese young subjects or in older lean subjects. However, in older obese subjects, estimated insulin sensitivity was reduced with CLA/n-3 LC-PUFA compared with control (P = 0.024).

Conclusions: The results do not support beneficial effects of CLA/n-3 LC-PUFA for beta-cell dysfunction or insulin resistance in humans but suggest that insulin sensitivity in older obese subjects is reduced. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2009) 63, 778-786; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2008.45; published online 3 September 2008

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)778-786
Number of pages9
JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume63
Issue number6
Early online date3 Sept 2008
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2009

Keywords

  • CLA
  • n-3 LC-PUFA
  • humans
  • insulin secretion
  • insulin sensitivity
  • obesity
  • BETA-CELL FUNCTION
  • GLUCOSE-TOLERANCE TEST
  • WHITE ADIPOSE-TISSUE
  • BODY-COMPOSITION
  • GENE-EXPRESSION
  • FISH-OIL
  • METABOLIC SYNDROME
  • OBESE MEN
  • SUPPLEMENTATION
  • RESISTANCE

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