Correlation between trans fatty acids and cardiovascular pathology

Abstract

Introduction. Current studies reveal the harmful effect of trans fatty acids on cardiovascular health. Each additional gram of trans fatty acids increases the risk of myocardial infarction by approximately 5%. trans fatty acids, in principle isomers (18: 1) have two origins: natural trans fatty acids derived from the bio hydrogenation of ruminant unsaturated fatty acids and industrial trans fatty acids derived from the industrial hydrogenation of unsaturated vegetable oils. Aim of the study. Elucidating the role of trans fatty acids in the mechanisms of production and evolution of cardiovascular diseases by comparing the two origins of trans fatty acids and other types of trans fatty acids. Materials and methods. In order to achieve the proposed goal, the publications from the specialized journals of the PubMed, Medline and Hinari electronic libraries have been used, based on a series of observational studies, system reviews and experiments on diet. The aim of majority of observational studies was the coronary heart disease often in the form of myocardial infarction or fatal or non-fatal stroke. Results. Following the summary of the studies we have concluded: the consumption of industrial trans fatty acids can reduce high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations, while increasing at the same time low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentrations. As a result, increased cholesterol / HDL ratio, which is able to raise lipoprotein concentrations (a), a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, has been detected. Increased inflammation markers, including TNF-alpha, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, associated with endothelial dysfunction markers that contribute to atherosclerosis and hypertension, have been reported. Conclusions. Epidemiological studies and meta-analyzes of the latest clinical studies have shown that trans fatty acids from industrial sources are responsible for the damage caused in particular by the lipid profile, whereas the trans fatty acids from natural sources have a reduced effect on the lipid profile and other risk factors cardiovascular. However, the mechanisms, the origin of these variations according to isomers is not yet well known and need further studies.