Change in dietary saturated fat intake is correlated with change in mass of large low-density-lipoprotein particles in men

Am J Clin Nutr. 1998 May;67(5):828-36. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/67.5.828.

Abstract

We tested whether nutrient intakes estimated from 4-d diet records were associated with plasma lipoprotein subclasses in 103 men who were randomly assigned to a low-fat (24% fat) and a high-fat (46% fat) diet for 6 wk each in a crossover design. Postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) activities were also determined in a subset of 43 men. Changes in intake (ie, high fat minus low fat) of total saturated fatty acids, as well as myristic (14:0) and palmitic (16:0) acids, were positively correlated (P < 0.01) with increases in mass of large LDL particles [measured by analytic ultra-centrifugation as mass of lipoproteins of flotation rate (Sf) 7-12] and with LDL peak particle diameter and flotation rate, but not with changes in LDL-cholesterol concentration. Changes in total saturated fatty acids as well as myristic and palmitic acids were also inversely associated with changes in HL activity (P < 0.05). With the high-fat diet only, variation in dietary total saturated fatty acid intake was inversely correlated (P < 0.01) with concentrations of small, dense LDL of Sf 0-5. This correlation was significant specifically for myristic acid (P < 0.001). Stearic acid (18:0), monounsaturates, and polyunsaturates showed no significant associations with lipoprotein concentrations. These data indicate that a high saturated fat intake (especially 14:0 and 16:0) is associated with increased concentrations of larger, cholesterol-enriched LDL and this occurs in association with decreased HL activity.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anticoagulants / pharmacology
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Fats / pharmacology
  • Fatty Acids / administration & dosage*
  • Fatty Acids / pharmacology
  • Heparin / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Lipoprotein Lipase / drug effects
  • Lipoprotein Lipase / metabolism
  • Lipoproteins / blood
  • Lipoproteins / drug effects
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / blood
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / drug effects*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reference Values

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Dietary Fats
  • Fatty Acids
  • Lipoproteins
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Heparin
  • Lipoprotein Lipase