Long-chain n-3 PUFA supplied by the usual diet decrease plasma stearoyl-CoA desaturase index in non-hypertriglyceridemic older adults at high vascular risk

• Published in: Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 157 - 162
• Main Authors: Pérez-Heras, Ana M., Mayneris-Perxachs, Jordi, Cofán, Montserrat, Serra-Mir, Mercè, Castellote, Ana I., López-Sabater, Carmen, Fitó, Montserrat, Salas-Salvadó, Jordi, Martínez-González, Miguel-Ángel, Corella, Dolores, Estruch, Ramon, Ros, Emilio, Sala-Vila, Aleix
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2018
• Subjects: adiposity; Aged; Body Mass Index; body weight; clinical trials; Cohort Studies; confidence interval; Diet Surveys; Diet, Mediterranean - statistics & numerical data; elderly; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - metabolism; fatty fish; Female; Fish; fish consumption; fish oils; food groups; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Humans; Hypertension; lipogenesis; Male; Mediterranean diet; monounsaturated fatty acids; nutrient intake; nutrition risk assessment; Nuts; Olive oil; omega-3 fatty acids; polyunsaturated fatty acids; PUFA; stearoyl-CoA desaturase; Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase - blood; Surveys and Questionnaires; triacylglycerols; Fish; Nuts; Olive oil; Mediterranean diet; PUFA
• ISSN: 0261-5614; 1532-1983; 1532-1983
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2016.11.009

The activity of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), the central enzyme in the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), has been associated with de novo lipogenesis. In experimental models SCD1 is down-regulated by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), but clinical studies are scarce. The effect of long-chain n-3 PUFA (LCn-3PUFA) supplied by the regular diet, in the absence of fatty fish or fish oil supplementation, remains to be explored. We related 1-y changes in plasma SCD1 index, as assessed by the C16:1n-7/C16:0 ratio, to both adiposity traits and nutrient intake changes in a sub-cohort (n = 243) of non-hypertriglyceridemic subjects of the PREDIMED (PREvención con DIeta MEDiterranea) trial. After adjustment for confounders, including changes in fasting triglycerides, plasma SCD1 index increased in parallel with body weight (0.221 [95% confidence interval, 0.021 to 0.422], P = 0.031) and BMI (0.115 [0.027 to 0.202], P = 0.011). Additionally, dietary LCn-3PUFA (but not MUFA or plant-derived PUFA) were associated with decreased plasma SCD1 index (−0.544 [–1.044 to −0.043], P = 0.033, for each 1 g/d-increase in LCn-3PUFA). No associations were found for other food groups, but there was a trend for fatty fish intake (−0.083 [–0.177 to 0.012], P = 0.085, for each 10 g/d-increase). Our data add clinical evidence on the down-regulation of plasma SCD1 index by LCn-3PUFA in the context of realistic changes in fish consumption in the customary, non-supplemented diet. http://www.Controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN35739639 •There is increasing interest on the interplay between SCD1, PUFA and adiposity.•We analysed 1-y changes of these variables in non-hypertriglyceridemic elders.•1-y changes in plasma SCD1 directly related to weight and BMI changes.•Changes in dietary LCn-3PUFA inversely related to plasma SCD1 index.•The results reinforce the evidence of marine n-3 fatty acids as healthy fats.