Associations of plasma phospholipid cis-vaccenic acid with insulin resistance markers in non-diabetic men with hyperlipidemia

Background: The role of fatty acids in insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia is under active investigation. Prior studies suggest cis-vaccenic acid (cVA, 18:1n-7) in plasma lipid compartments, especially phospholipids (PL), may associate with insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health, though findings are inconsistent. Objective: To investigate the relation of the proportion of cVA in plasma PL to insulin resistance markers in hyperlipidemic men. Subjects: 231 men (median age 50) with newly diagnosed hyperlipidemia were assessed for clinical parameters and plasma PL fatty acid composition and stratified by cVA into lowest (Q1) and highest (Q4) quartiles; a control group of 50 healthy men was also examined. Results: Compared with Q1, Q4 had lower plasma insulin (p < 0.05), HOMA-IR (p < 0.01), and apolipoprotein B (p < 0.001), but higher nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) (p < 0.01). Groups were similar in age, anthropometrics, and most lipid parameters. In plasma PL, Q4 had lower n-6 PUFA (driven by γ-linolenic and dihomo-γ-linolenic acids) and higher MUFA (mainly oleic and palmitoleic). Conclusions: Higher plasma PL cVA is associated with markers of greater insulin sensitivity in men with hyperlipidemia.

Jaroslav Macášek, Barbora Staňková, Aleš Žák, Markéta Růžičková, Radan Brüha, Simona Kutová, Marek Vecka, Miroslav Zeman