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

Abstract

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. 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. 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], <i>P</i>=0.011, for each 1-SD increase). A similar result was observed for LA in carotid plaque phospholipids. 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.