Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Atherosclerosis

Summary

Rationale: Cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) can protect against the atherosclerosis development in several animal models. Studies in transgenic mice have shown that mechanisms might involve beneficial effects on lipoprotein metabolism and insulin sensitivity and in addition activation of anti-inflammatory pathways. A very limited amount of human studies have not shown similar beneficial effect of cis9,trans11-CLA on insulin sensitivity in obese subjects, yet cis9,trans11-CLA did improve the lipoprotein profile in healthy subjects. The effect of cis9,trans11-CLA supplementation on alternative early biomarkers of atherosclerosis, like aortic pulse wave velocity, and alternative biomarkers identified through platelet proteomics, has not been assessed before, and may add valuable insights into the mechanism of this functional fatty acid in humans.

Objective: To assess the effect of increased intake of cis9 trans11-CLA on development of atherosclerosis, as assessed with aortic pulse wave velocity and on alternative biomarkers.

Study design: The study is designed as a double blind randomised placebo controlled parallel group trial.

Study population: 400 men and women, between 40 and 70 years of age, with a body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or above. Subjects with previous symptomatic vascular disease or diabetes mellitus and subjects on blood pressure lowering or lipid lowering medication are excluded.

Intervention: Subjects in the intervention arm will receive daily 4 g of CLA oil (2.6 g cis9,trans11-CLA), 2 capsules to be taken in the morning and 2 in the evening. The subjects in the control arm receive 4 identical placebo capsules.

Main study parameters/endpoints: The main study outcome is difference between treatment arms in change in aortic pulse wave velocity after 6 months intervention.

Conditions

• Atherosclerosis

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

oil rich in cis9, trans11 conjugated linoleic acid

An oil rich in cis9, trans11 conjugated linoleic acid (cis9,trans11-CLA). Of the total amount of CLA in the oil, 80% is cis9, trans11-CLA and 20% trans10, cis12-CLA. In total 4 grams of oil will be given daily. The oil will be taken in the form of soft gel capsules. Two capsules will be taken in the morning and two in the evening.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

placebo

identical placebo capsules.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Aberdeen

  collaborator OTHER

• Lipid Nutrition B.V

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Center Novem

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• UMC Utrecht

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Michiel L Bots, MD, PhD · UMC Utrecht

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

70 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2007-06-30

Primary Completion

2008-11-30

Completion

2008-12-31

Countries

• Netherlands

Study Locations