Quantification and metabolic aspects of trans fatty acids

SCOPE To inquire with certainty of the analytical data on the effects of fat acids. INTRODUCTION The consumption of trans isomers of unsaturated fatty acids has been associated with untoward metabolic effects. Several clinical investigations demonstrated that trans fatty acids increase plasma LDL-cholesterol and lipoprotein (a) and reduce HDL-cholesterol concentrations. These alterations of plasma lipid profiles indicate an atherogenic effect of trans fatty acids. Moreover, in infant and children, trans fatty acids in blood plasma may impair human growth. METHODOLOGY We have put to point one methodology analytics in order to dose trans fatty acids in the blood. Such methodology analytics previews the use of the technology of mass for having the certainty of the analytical data in one complex matrix which that one of the blood. The conditions analytics preview: extraction, methylation with acetyl chloride, extraction with Hexane, evaporation under nitrogen current, to bring back by volume with Hexane, separation gas chromatography, quantization in SCAN by Qualifier Ion ratios and SIM identification. Quadrupolar GCMS settings: Column: SPTM-2560; Oven: 140C (5min) to 240C at 4C/min; Carrier: Helium, 20cm/sec; Transfer line: 250C Injector: 1μl, splitless, 260C RESULTS In a population of approximately 60 healthy adult and 40 healthy children we have found blood plasma arachidonic acid (C20:4)-6) levels and the product/substrate ratios of arachidonic acid synthesis (C20:40)-6/C18:20)-6) inversely correlated to the level of the principal trans fatty acid, trans octadecaenoic. This fact is of extreme importance. It appears desirable to limit the dietary intake of trans fatty acids. The major part of human trans fatty acid exposure is the consequence of industrial food processing and the major dietary sources of trans fatty acids are partially hydrogenated vegetable and fish oils. Refinement of the industrial technology of partial hydrogenation and appropriate food labelling may lead to a considerably decrease of human exposure to transfatty acids. REFERENCES Demmelmalr H, Festl B, Wolfram G, Koletzko B. Trans fatty acid contents in spreads and cold cuts usually consumed by children.Z Ern~hrungswiss 1996; 35:235-240 Koletzko B, Edenhofer S, Lipowsky G, Reinhardt D. Effects of a low birthweight infant formula containing docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acids at human milk levels. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1995; 21:200-208