Linoleic acid-rich oil supplementation increases total and high-molecular-weight adiponectin and alters plasma oxylipins in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome

Authors: COLE, RACHEL - The Ohio State University; PUCHALA, SARAH - The Ohio State University; KE, JIA-YU - The Ohio State University; ABDEL-RASOUL, MAHMOUD - The Ohio State University; HARLOW, KRISTIN - The Ohio State University; O'DONNELL, BENJAMIN - The Ohio State University; BRADLEY, DAVID - The Ohio State University; ANDRIDGE, REBECCA - The Ohio State University; BORKOWSKI, KAMIL - University Of California, Davis; Newman, John; BELURY, MARTHA - The Ohio State University

Submitted to: Current Developments in Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/24/2020
Publication Date: 8/21/2020
Citation: Cole, R.M., Puchala, S., Ke, J., Abdel-Rasoul, M., Harlow, K., O'Donnell, B., Bradley, D., Andridge, R., Borkowski, K., Newman, J.W., Belury, M.A. 2020. Linoleic acid-rich oil supplementation increases total and high-molecular-weight adiponectin and alters plasma oxylipins in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome. Current Developments in Nutrition. 4(9). Article nzaa136. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzaa136.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzaa136

Interpretive Summary: The onset of menopause increases the risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS). Adiponectin is a protein produced by adipose tissue associated with insulin sensitivity that is lower in people with MetS. Increasing dietary linoleic acid (LA) intake increases adiponectin levels and improves insulin sensitivity in women with type 2 diabetes. How LA affects adiponectin in people with MetS is unclear. One way LA may influence adiponectin is through LA-derived oxylipins, which may influence energy metabolism. The aims of this study were to explore the effect of an LA-rich oil on fatty acid and oxylipin profiles, adiponectin, and MetS-associated parameters, and to examine adherence of daily oil consumption. This open-label single-arm pilot study enrolled postmenopausal women with MetS to consume assigned vegetable oils (10 mL/d) as part of their habitual diets. Women consumed an oleic acid-rich oil (OA-oil) for 4wk followed by an LA-rich oil (LA-oil) for 16wk. Fasting levels of adiponectin, fatty acids, oxylipins, and markers of glycemia and inflammation were measured. After 4wk of OA-oil consumption, fasting glucose and total adiponectin levels decreased while fasting C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, increased. After 16wk of LA-oil supplementation adiponectin increased. While plasma LA levels were unaltered, nine plasma oxylipins derived from LA increased. Body composition markers of inflammation and glycemia were unchanged after LA-oil consumption. In conclusion, supplementation with LA-oil, increased plasma adiponectin levels and altered plasma oxylipin profiles without increasing plasma LA at week 16. Larger studies are needed to elucidate the links between these changes and MetS.

Technical Abstract: Background & aims: The onset of menopause increases the risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS). Adiponectin is an adipokine associated with insulin sensitivity that is lower in people with MetS. Increasing dietary linoleic acid (LA) intake increases adiponectin levels and improves insulin sensitivity in women with type 2 diabetes; but the effect of LA on adiponectin in people with MetS is unclear. One way LA may influence adiponectin levels is through LA-derived oxylipins, which are believed to play a role in energy metabolism. The aims of this study were to explore the effect of an oil rich in LA on adiponectin, fatty acid and oxylipin profiles, and parameters of MetS and to examine adherence of daily oil consumption. Methods: In this open-label single-arm pilot study, 18 postmenopausal women with MetS were enrolled into a 2-phase study and instructed to consume assigned vegetable oils (10 mL/d) as part of their habitual diets. Women consumed an oleic acid-rich oil (OA- oil) for 4wk followed by an LA-rich oil (LA-oil) for 16wk. Fasting levels of adiponectin, fatty acids, oxylipins, and markers of glycemia and inflammation were measured. Body composition was evaluated prior to and following the LA-oil intervention period by dual x-ray absorptiometry. Results: After 4wk of consuming the OA-oil, fasting glucose and total adiponectin levels decreased while fasting C-reactive protein increased. After 16wk of LA-oil supplementation total and high molecular weight adiponectin increased. While plasma LA levels were unaltered, nine plasma oxylipins derived from LA increased. Body composition, markers of inflammation and glycemia were unchanged after LA-oil consumption. Conclusions: Supplementation with LA-oil, increased plasma adiponectin levels and altered plasma oxylipin profiles without an increase of plasma LA at week 16. Larger studies are needed to elucidate the links between these changes and MetS.