No Observed Difference in Inflammatory and Coagulation Markers Following Diets Rich in n-6 Polyunsaturated Fat vs Monounsaturated Fat in Adults With Untreated Hypercholesterolemia: A Randomized Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the inflammatory and coagulation marker responses to diets rich in cottonseed oil (high in n-6 polyunsaturated fats) versus olive oil (high in monounsaturated fats) in adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia.
Results Summary
The study found no significant differences in inflammatory or coagulation markers between the cottonseed oil and olive oil groups, suggesting that monounsaturated fats do not promote inflammation or coagulation compared to n-6 polyunsaturated fats in this population. Neither group showed changes in these markers over the 8-week intervention.
Population
Sedentary adults aged 30-75 years (62% women) with untreated hypercholesterolemia or elevated blood lipids and BMI >18.5.
Effective Dosage
Approximately 30% of energy needs from olive oil (monounsaturated fat) for 8 weeks.
Duration
8 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
diet intervention rich in cottonseed oil | no change | inflammation and coagulation marker responses | adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia | no significant differences | were not significantly different | #1 |
diet intervention rich in olive oil | no change | inflammation and coagulation marker responses | adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia | no significant differences | were not significantly different | #2 |
diet intervention rich in cottonseed oil | no change | fasting C-reactive protein | adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia | - | no significant differences | #3 |
diet intervention rich in olive oil | no change | fasting C-reactive protein | adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia | - | no significant differences | #4 |
diet intervention rich in cottonseed oil | no change | tumor necrosis factor-α | adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia | - | no significant differences | #5 |
diet intervention rich in olive oil | no change | tumor necrosis factor-α | adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia | - | no significant differences | #6 |
diet intervention rich in cottonseed oil | no change | interleukin-6 | adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia | - | no significant differences | #7 |
diet intervention rich in olive oil | no change | interleukin-6 | adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia | - | no significant differences | #8 |
diet intervention rich in cottonseed oil | no change | interleukin-1β | adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia | - | no significant differences | #9 |
diet intervention rich in olive oil | no change | interleukin-1β | adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia | - | no significant differences | #10 |
diet intervention rich in cottonseed oil | no change | plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 | adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia | - | no significant differences | #11 |
diet intervention rich in olive oil | no change | plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 | adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia | - | no significant differences | #12 |
diet intervention rich in cottonseed oil | no change | tissue factor | adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia | - | no significant differences | #13 |
diet intervention rich in olive oil | no change | tissue factor | adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia | - | no significant differences | #14 |
dietary n-6 polyunsaturated fats | no change | inflammation | adults at increased risk for cardiovascular disease | - | may not promote inflammation | #15 |
BACKGROUND: Inflammatory and prothrombotic responses are hallmark to the progression of cardiovascular disease and may be influenced by the type of dietary fat. Cottonseed oil (CSO) is rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fats and improves traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors such as cholesterol profiles. However, some clinicians are still hesitant to promote n-6 polyunsaturated fats consumption despite growing evidence suggesting they may not be independently pro-inflammatory. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inflammatory and coagulation marker responses to an 8-week diet intervention rich in either CSO or olive oil (OO) (OO is rich in monounsaturated fat) in adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia. DESIGN: This was a secondary analysis of a parallel-arm randomized clinical trial with the main outcome of cholesterol measures. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Participants included in this analysis were 42 sedentary adults aged 30 to 75 years (62% women) in the Athens, GA, area, between May 2018 and June 2021, with untreated hypercholesterolemia or elevated blood lipids and body mass index >18.5. Hypercholesterolemia was defined as at least two blood lipid levels in a borderline undesirable/at risk range (total cholesterol level ≥180 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level ≥110 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level <50 mg/dL, or triglyceride level ≥130 mg/dL), or at least one in an undesirable range (total cholesterol level ≥240 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level ≥160 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level <40 mg/dL, or triglyceride level ≥200 mg/dL). INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned to either the CSO or OO group in a partial outpatient feeding trial. Meals from the study provided approximately 60% of their energy needs with 30% of energy needs from either CSO or OO for 8 weeks. Participants fulfilled their remaining energy needs with meals of their choosing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fasting plasma concentrations of inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β were measured at baseline and 8 weeks. Markers of coagulation potential, including plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and tissue factor were measured at the same time points. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Repeated measures linear mixed models were used with treatment and visit in the model for analyses of all biochemical markers. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in fasting C-reactive protein (P = 0.70), tumor necrosis factor-α (P = 0.98), interleukin-6 (P = 0.21), interleukin-1β (P = 0.13), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (P = 0.29), or tissue factor (P = 0.29) between groups across the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation and coagulation marker responses to diets rich in CSO vs OO were not significantly different between groups, and neither group showed changes in these markers in adults with untreated hypercholesterolemia. This provides additional evidence suggesting that dietary n-6 polyunsaturated fats may not promote inflammation compared with monounsaturated fatty acids, even in adults at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.