Triacylglycerol molecular weight and to a lesser extent, fatty acid positional distribution, affect chylomicron triacylglycerol composition in women

Differential postprandial incorporation of 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 into individual plasma triacylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine molecular species in humans

The mechanisms by which digested fat is absorbed and transported in the circulation are well documented. However, it is uncertain whether the molecular species composition of dietary fats influences the molecular species composition of meal-derived lipids in blood. This may be important because enzymes that remove meal-derived fatty acids from the circulation exhibit differential activities towards individual lipid molecular species. To determine the effect of consuming oils with different molecular compositions on the incorporation of 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 into plasma lipid molecular species. Men and women (18-30 years) consumed standardised meals containing 20:5n-5 and 22:6n-3 (total 450 mg) provided by an oil from transgenic Camelina sativa (CSO) or a blended fish oil (BFO) which differed in the composition of 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 - containing molecular species. Blood was collected during the subsequent 8 h. Samples were analysed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The molecular species composition of the test oils was distinct from the composition of plasma triacylglycerol (TG) or phosphatidylcholine (PC) molecular species at baseline and at 1.5 or 6 h after the meal. The rank order by concentration of both plasma PC and TG molecular species at baseline was maintained during the postprandial period. 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 were incorporated preferentially into plasma PC compared to plasma TG. Together these findings suggest that the composition of dietary lipids undergoes extensive rearrangement after absorption, such that plasma TG and PC maintain their molecular species composition, which may facilitate lipase activities in blood and/or influence lipoprotein structural stability and function.

Triacylglycerol regioisomers in human milk resolved with an algorithmic novel electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method

A highly sensitive mass spectrometric (MS) method was developed and validated to analyze ratios of regioisomeric triacylglycerols (TAGs) in fats and oils. UPLC resolution of lithiated TAGs followed by daughter scan MS/MS of positive ions revealed several indicative ions for quantitative analysis. Reference TAGs containing C14-C20 fatty acids (FAs) showed good linear response. Analysis of Finnish and Chinese pooled human milk samples revealed hundreds of regioisomeric TAGs. At least 64mol% of the TAGs were quantified with relative standard deviation <17%. When present in the same TAG molecule together with C18 FAs, palmitic acid was typically in the sn-2 position. When together with FAs 10:0, 12:0, 14:0, 20:1 and 20:2, the sn-2 preference of 16:0 was less clear. Oleic acid occupied typically the sn-1/sn-3 positions but when together with FAs 20:1, 20:2, 18:2, 14:1, 12:0 or 10:0 the positioning of 18:1 did not follow these rules.

Postprandial metabolism of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) in humans

The study of the metabolism of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5n-3) in humans has been limited by the unavailability of pure DPA and the fact that DPA is found in combination with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) in natural products. In this double blind cross over study, pure DPA and EPA were incorporated in meals served to healthy female volunteers. Mass spectrometric methods were used to study the chylomicron lipidomics. Plasma chylomicronemia was significantly reduced after the meal containing DPA compared with the meal containing EPA or olive oil only. Both EPA and DPA were incorporated into chylomicron TAGs, while there was less incorporation into chylomicron phospholipids. Lipidomic analysis of the chylomicron TAGs revealed the dynamic nature of chylomicron TAGs. The main TAG species that EPA and DPA were incorporated into were EPA/18:1/18:1, DPA/18:1/16:0 and DPA/18:1/18:1. There was very limited conversion of DPA and EPA to DHA and there were no increases in EPA levels during the 5h postprandial period after the DPA meal. In conclusion, EPA and DPA showed different metabolic fates, and DPA hindered the digestion, ingestion or incorporation into chylomicrons of the olive oil present in the meal.

Lipidomic profiling of chylomicron triacylglycerols in response to high fat meals

Using lipidomic methodologies the impact that meal lipid composition and metabolic syndrome (MetS) exerts on the postprandial chylomicron triacylglycerol (TAG) response was examined. Males (9 control; 11 MetS) participated in a randomised crossover trial ingesting two high fat breakfast meals composed of either dairy-based foods or vegetable oil-based foods. The postprandial lipidomic molecular composition of the TAG in the chylomicron-rich (CM) fraction was analysed with tandem mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography to profile CM TAG species and targeted TAG regioisomers. Postprandial CM TAG concentrations were significantly lower after the dairy-based foods compared with the vegetable oil-based foods for both control and MetS subjects. The CM TAG response to the ingested meals involved both significant and differential depletion of TAG species containing shorter- and medium-chain fatty acids (FA) and enrichment of TAG molecular species containing C16 and C18 saturated, monounsaturated and diunsaturated FA. Furthermore, there were significant changes in the TAG species between the food TAG and CM TAG and between the 3- and 5-h postprandial samples for the CM TAG regioisomers. Unexpectedly, the postprandial CM TAG concentration and CM TAG lipidomic responses did not differ between the control and MetS subjects. Lipidomic analysing of CM TAG molecular species revealed dynamic changes in the molecular species of CM TAG during the postprandial phase suggesting either preferential CM TAG species formation and/or clearance.

Cholesterolaemic influence of palmitic acid in thesn-1, 3v.thesn-2 position with high or low dietary linoleic acid in healthy young men

Healthy young men were fed four diets for 2 weeks each providing natural fats containing palmitic acid (16 : 0) predominantly in thesn-1, 3 position of dietary TAG or containing 16 : 0 predominantly in thesn-2 position with low or high levels of linoleic acid (18 : 2n-6). Two treatments supplied 16 : 0 in thesn-1, 3 positions from palmstearin with low (3 % energy) or high (>7 % energy) 18 : 2n-6 and two treatments supplied 16 : 0 in thesn-2 position from lard with high or low levels of 18 : 2n-6. Diets contained 30–35 % energy as fat, 7–11 % energy as 16 : 0 and moderate levels of cholesterol. Fasting serum cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations were measured. Cholesterol fractional synthesis rate (FSR) was determined by2H incorporation. Diets providing 16 : 0 in thesn-2 position resulted in lower fasting serum total cholesterol (TC) and a lower TC:HDL ratio than diets providing 16 : 0 in thesn-1, 3 positions. Diets with high levels of 18 : 2n-6 significantly decreased the TC:HDL ratio, reaffirming the well-known cholesterol-reducing effect of 18 : 2n-6. A lower non-esterified cholesterol FSR was observed with low dietary levels of 18 : 2n-6. No differences between dietary treatments were found for serum HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol or TAG. It is concluded that dietary fats containing 16 : 0 in thesn-2 position may result in slightly lower fasting TC than diets providing 16 : 0 in thesn-1, 3 positions, while the level ofn-6 polyunsaturated fat influences endogenous cholesterol synthesis.

Effects of stereospecific positioning of fatty acids in triacylglycerol structures in native and randomized fats: a review of their nutritional implications

Most studies on lipid lowering diets have focused on the total content of saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. However, the distribution of these fatty acids on the triacylglycerol (TAG) molecule and the molecular TAG species generated by this stereospecificity are characteristic for various native dietary TAGs. Fat randomization or interesterification is a process involving the positional redistribution of fatty acids, which leads to the generation of new TAG molecular species. A comparison between native and randomized TAGs is the subject of this review with regards to the role of stereospecificity of fatty acids in metabolic processing and effects on fasting lipids and postprandial lipemia. The positioning of unsaturated versus saturated fatty acids in the sn-2 position of TAGs indicate differences in early metabolic processing and postprandial clearance, which may explain modulatory effects on atherogenecity and thrombogenecity. Both human and animal studies are discussed with implications for human health.

Influence of triacylglycerol structure of stearic acid-rich fats on postprandial lipaemia

Exaggerated postprandial lipaemia may increase the risk of CHD by contributing to both thrombotic and atherogenic processes. Previous research has focused on the quantity and composition of dietary fat, whereas the effect of triacylglycerol (TAG) structure on postprandial lipaemia and clotting factor VII activity has received little attention. TAG with similar fatty acid composition may have different biochemical and physical properties that are dependent on their TAG structure, and these differences may affect lipid metabolism. Recent findings suggest that differences in the physical properties of stearic acid-rich fats are associated with differences in postprandial lipaemia, and may play an important role in determining their rates of digestion and absorption.

Positional distribution of decanoic acid: effect on chylomicron and VLDL TAG structures and postprandial lipemia

Although medium-chain FA (MCFA) are mainly absorbed via the portal venous system, they are also incorporated into chylomicron TAG; therefore, the positional distribution of MCFA in TAG is likely to affect their metabolic fate. We studied chylomicron and VLDL TAG structures, as well as the magnitude of postprandial lipemia, after two oral fat loads containing decanoic acid (10:0) predominantly at the sn-1(3),2 (MML) or at the sn-1,3 positions (MLM) of TAG in a randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial with 10 healthy, normal-weight volunteers. An MS-MS method was used to analyze TAG regioisomers. The position of decanoic acid in chylomicron TAG reflected its position in the TAG ingested, and TAG with none, one, two, or three decanoic acid residues were detected after ingestion of both fats. More (P < 0.05) 30:0 and 38:1 TAG (acyl carbons:double bonds) and fewer 46:5, 54:5, and 54:4 TAG were found in chylomicrons after ingestion of MML than after MLM. The VLDL TAG composition did not differ between the fat loads but did change (P < 0.05) 2 to 6 h after ingestion of both fats. No statistical differences were seen between the fat loads in areas under the plasma, chylomicron, or VLDL TAG response curves or in FFA concentrations. Thus, the positional distribution of MCFA in TAG affects their metabolic fate, but the magnitude of postprandial lipemia does not seem to be dependent on the positional distribution of MCFA in the ingested fat.

Postprandial activation of hemostatic factors: role of dietary fatty acids

Intake of dietary fat is an important determinant of the plasma concentration of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins, and the degree of alimentary lipemia is reported to have effects on hemostatic status including platelet function. Although association between the amount of dietary fat intake, lipemic response and certain cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (VIIa and PAI-1) has been reported, the significance of the fatty acid composition of ingested fat for the postprandial lipid concentrations and the hemostatic factors is still unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests a relationship between dietary fatty acids and emerging hemostatic CVD risk factors, although much of this evidence is incomplete or conflicting. In order to improve our knowledge in this area, sufficient sample size in future studies are required to take into account of the genetic variation (gene polymorphisms for VII, PAI-1), sex, physical activity, stage of life factors, and sufficient duration to account for adaptation for definitive conclusions.

Chylomicron and VLDL TAG structures and postprandial lipid response induced by lard and modified lard

Alterations in chylomicron and VLDL TAG and the magnitude of postprandial lipemia were studied in healthy volunteers after two meals of equal FA composition but different TAG FA positional distribution. Molecular level information of individual lipoprotein TAG regioisomers was obtained with a tandem MS method. The incremental area under the response curve of VLDL TAG was larger (P = 0.021) after modified lard than after lard. In plasma TAG, the difference did not quite reach statistical significance (P = 0.086). In general, there were less TAG with palmitic acid in the sn-2 position and more TAG with oleic acid in the sn-2 position in chylomicrons than in fat ingested. From 1.5 to 8 h postprandially, the proportion of individual chylomicron TAG was constant or influenced by TAG M.W. VLDL TAG regioisomerism was similar regardless of the positional distribution of fat ingested. Significant alterations were seen in VLDL TAG FA, in M.W. fractions, and in individual regioisomers with respect to time. The TAG sn-14:0-18:1-18:1 + sn-18:1-18:1-14:0, sn-16:0-16:1-18:1 + sn-18:1-16:1-16:0, and sn-16:1-18:1-18:1 + sn-18:1-18:1-16:1 decreased (P < 0.05); and sn-16:0-16:0-18:2 + sn-18:2-16:0-16:0, sn-16:0-16:0-18:1 + sn-18:1-16:0-16:0, sn-16:0-18:1-16:0, and sn-16:0-18:1-18:2 + sn-18:2-18:1-16:0 increased (P < 0.05) after both meals. In conclusion, positional distribution of TAG FA was found to affect postprandial lipid metabolism in healthy normolipidemic subjects.

Effect of triacylglycerol structure on absorption and metabolism of isotope-labeled palmitic and linoleic acids by humans

The effect of dietary TAG structure and fatty acid acyl TAG position on palmitic and linoleic acid metabolism was investigated in four middle-aged male subjects. The study design consisted of feeding diets containing 61 g/d of native lard (NL) or randomized lard (RL) for 28 d. Subjects then received an oral dose of either 1,3-tetradeuteriopalmitoyl-2-dideuteriolinoleoyl-rac-glycerol or a mixture of 1,3-dideuteriolinoleoyl-2-tetradeuteriopalmitoyl-rac-glycerol and 1,3-hexadeuteriopalmitoyl-2-tetradeuteriolinoleoyl-rac-glycerol. Methyl esters of plasma lipids isolated from blood samples drawn over a 2-d period were analyzed by GC-MS. Results showed that absorption of the 2H-fatty acids (2H-FA) was not influenced by TAG position. The 2H-FA at the 2-acyl TAG position were 85+/-4.6% retained after absorption. Substantial migration of 2H-16:0 (31.2+/-8.6%) from the sn-2 TAG position to the sn-1,3 position and 2H-18:2n-6 (52.8+/-6.4%) from the sn-1,3 position to the sn-2 position of chylomicron TAG occurred after initial absorption and indicates the presence of a previously unrecognized isomerization mechanism. Incorporation and turnover of the 2H-FA in chylomicron TAG, plasma TAG, and plasma cholesterol esters were not influenced by TAG acyl position. Accretion of 2H-16:0 from the sn-2 TAG position in 1-acylphosphatidylcholine was 1.7 times higher than 2H-16:0 from the sn-1,3 TAG positions. Acyl TAG position did not influence 2H-18:2n-6 incorporation in PC. The concentration of 2H-18:2n-6-derived 2H-20:4n-6 in plasma PC from subjects fed the RL diet was 1.5 times higher than for subjects fed the NL diet, and this result suggests that diets containing 16:0 located at the sn-2 TAG position may inhibit 20:4n-6 synthesis. The overall conclusion is that selective rearrangement of chylomicron TAG structures diminishes but does not totally eliminate the metabolic and physiological effects of dietary TAG structure.