Adipose tissue alpha-linolenic acid and nonfatal acute myocardial infarction in Costa Rica.
Adipose tissue alpha-linolenic acid and nonfatal acute myocardial infarction in Costa Rica.
Year: 2003
Authors: A Baylin, E K Kabagambe, A Ascherio, D Spiegelman, H Campos.
Publication Name: Circulation.
Publication Details: Volume 107; Page 1586.
Abstract:
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death in developing countries. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in numerous developing countries. In Canada alone, statistics show that CVD accounts for more deaths (36%) than any other disease. These same statistics demonstrate that an astounding 54% of all cardiovascular deaths are due to coronary heart disease (CHD), the most common type of CVD. The essential fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid (ALA) which is found in vegetable oils such as canola oil, may protect against CHD – particularly myocardial infarction (MI). Although the actual mechanism of action of ALA has not been fully elucidated, its potential biological effects on CHD and MI are believed to be via the inhibition of platelet aggregation and thrombosis (formation of a blood clot inside a vessel of the heart), reduction of blood pressure, decrease in serum lipids, and prevention of cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). The positive role of ALA in reducing MI has been demonstrated in a number of randomized clinical trials, none were specifically designed to assess direct relationships between ALA intake and incidence of MI. In this study, the association between adipose tissue ALA and nonfatal acute MI was examined. In a population based case-control study, 482 case patients who had suffered a first nonfatal acute MI and 482 population control subjects were matched by age, sex, and area of residence. Subcutaneous adipose tissue was collected from all participants. Adipose tissue is considered the best choice for study of long-term fatty acid intake due to its slow turnover and lack of response to disease. Fatty acids were then assessed via gas-liquid chromatography. Results from this study were consistent with previous research demonstrating ALA to be associated with a large and significant reduction in the risk of nonfatal acute MI. ALA was found to be associated with a large and significant reduction in the risk of nonfatal acute MI. Adipose tissue ALA was found to be two-fold higher in the highest versus the lowest quintile. The difference in adipose tissue ALA content between the highest and lowest quintile was 0.38%, which according to the data, corresponded to approximately 0.3 grams per day of ALA intake. In view of these results, the researchers concluded that diets rich in ALA confer important protective effects against nonfatal acute MI. Thus, increasing dietary ALA can result in tremendous health benefits, particularly in regard to CHD.
