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Vol 8, No 3 (2002)
Research paper
Published online: 2002-06-27

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Trans unsaturated fatty acids are components of atheromatous plaque

Ewa Stachowska, Barbara Dołęgowska, Dariusz Chlubek, Halina Szumiłowicz, Piotr Gutowski, Radosław Turowski, Rabih Samad
Acta Angiologica 2002;8(3):99-104.

Abstract

Background. Chromatographic studies on fatty acid composition of atheromatous plaques obtained from 21 patients treated surgically in the Department of Vascular Surgery (Pomeranian Academy of Medicine, Szczecin, Poland) for complications of atherosclerosis of abdominal aorta, iliac or femoral arteries, were carried out.
Aim of the study. The aim of the study was to assess if the trans unsaturated fatty acids (occurring in hardened fats of plant origin) are substantial components of the atheromatous plaques.
Material and methods. Fatty acids were extracted using Folch mixture, saponified in 2% KOH solution and methylated with 14% solution of BF3 in methanol, obtaining fatty acid methyl esters. The analysis of obtained material was carried out with a gas chromatograph Perkin-Elmer 8500, applying Chromed PI software. Correlations between obtained parameters were calculated using the Spearman’s correlation coefficient, taking p < 0.05 as statistically significant.
Results. The presence of varied isomers of fatty acids in the analysed material (among them typical for the hardened plant fats) was established. Elaidic acid (trans-9 C18:1) served as a major trans isomer among monounsaturated fatty acids. The main representative of polyunsaturated fatty acids was one of conjugated diens of linoleic acid: cis-9, trans-11 C18:2.
Conclusions. The results of the study show the relationship between trans unsaturated fatty acids content in the diet and their importance in the metabolism of atheromatous plaque and possible induction of atherogenesis.

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