N-6 and n-3 fatty acid cholesteryl esters in relation to incident stroke in a Dutch adult population: a nested case-control study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

There are few prospective studies on fatty acid status in relation to incident stroke, with inconsistent results. We assessed the associations of plasma n-6 and n-3 PUFA in cholesteryl esters with the risk of total stroke and stroke subtypes in Dutch adults.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

We conducted a nested case-control study using data from a population-based cohort study in adults aged 20-65 years. Blood sampling and data collection took place during 1993-1997 and subjects were followed for 8-13 years. We identified 179 incident cases of stroke and 179 randomly selected controls, matched on age, gender, and enrollment date. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated per standard deviation (SD) increase of PUFA in cholesteryl esters using multivariable conditional logistic regression. Cases comprised 93 ischemic, 50 hemorrhagic, and 36 unspecified strokes. The n-6 PUFA linoleic acid and arachidonic acid contributed ~55% and ~6.5% respectively to total plasma fatty acids, whereas the n-3 PUFA alpha-linolenic acid contributed ~0.5% and eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid (EPA-DHA) ~1.3%. After adjustment for confounders, n-6 and n-3 PUFA were not associated with incident total stroke or stroke subtypes. The OR (95% CI) for total stroke was 0.95 (0.74-1.23) per SD increase in linoleic acid and 1.02 (0.80-1.30) per SD increase in arachidonic acid. ORs (95% CI) for total stroke were 0.94 (0.72-1.21) for alpha-linolenic acid and 1.16 (0.94-1.45) for EPA-DHA.

CONCLUSION:

In the present study, plasma n-6 or n-3 fatty acids were not related to incident stroke or stroke subtypes.

• Authors: J De Goede, W M M Verschuren, J M A Boer, D Kromhout, J M Geleijnse
• Journal: Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD (Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis) Vol. 23 Issue 8 Pg. 737-43 (Aug 2013) ISSN: 1590-3729 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 22633188 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Cholesterol Esters
• Dietary Fats
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3
• Fatty Acids, Omega-6

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Case-Control Studies
• Cholesterol Esters (blood)
• Dietary Fats (administration & dosage)
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (blood)
• Fatty Acids, Omega-6 (blood)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Incidence
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Netherlands (epidemiology)
• Odds Ratio
• Prospective Studies
• Risk Factors
• Stroke (blood, epidemiology)
• Young Adult