Linoleic Acid Status in Cell Membranes Inversely Relates to the Prevalence of Symptomatic Carotid Artery Disease

• Published in: Stroke (1970) 2021-02, Vol.52 (2), p.703-706
• Main Authors: Lázaro, Iolanda, Cofán, Montserrat, Amor, Antonio J., Ortega, Emilio, Freitas-Simoes, Tania-Marisa, Llull, Laura, Amaro, Sergio, Mestres, Gaspar, Yugueros, Xavier, Harris, William S., Riambau, Vicente, Sala-Vila, Aleix
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0039-2499; 1524-4628
• DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.030477

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:The red blood cell fatty acid composition objectively reflects the long-term dietary intake of several fatty acids. In patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, we explored whether red blood cell status of selected fatty acids related to symptomatic carotid artery disease. METHODS:We included patients with symptomatic (n=22) and asymptomatic (n=23) carotid artery disease. We determined all-C18:1 trans, linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n6), alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3n3), and the omega-3 index (sum of eicosapentaenoic [C20:5n3] and docosahexaenoic [C22:6n3] acids) in both red blood cells and carotid plaque phospholipids by gas-chromatography. RESULTS:In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, we only observed a significant association for LA, whose red blood cell status was inversely related to symptomatic carotid artery disease (odds ratio, 0.116 [95% CI, 0.022–0.607], P=0.011, for each 1-SD increase). A similar result was observed for LA in carotid plaque phospholipids. CONCLUSIONS:Cell membrane enrichment in LA, which reflects its intake, was inversely related to symptomatic carotid disease. This increases evidence supporting a favorable role of dietary LA in vascular health.