Linoleic Acid-Rich Oil Alters Circulating Cardiolipin Species and Fatty Acid Composition in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Scope: Higher circulating linoleic acid (LA) and muscle-derived tetralinoleoyl-cardiolipin (LA(4)CL) are each associated with decreased cardiometabolic disease risk. Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs with low LA(4)CL. Whether LA-rich oil fortification can increase LA(4)CL in humans is unknown. The aims of this study are to determine whether dietary fortification with LA-rich oil for 2 weeks increases: 1) LA in plasma, erythrocytes, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC); and 2) LA(4)CL in PBMC in adults. Methods and results: In this randomized controlled trial, adults are instructed to consume one cookie per day delivering 10 g grapeseed (LA-cookie, N = 42) or high oleate (OA) safflower (OA-cookie, N = 42) oil. In the LA-cookie group, LA increases in plasma, erythrocyte, and PBMC by 6%, 7%, and 10% respectively. PBMC and erythrocyte OA increase by 7% and 4% in the OA-cookie group but is unchanged in the plasma. PBMC LA(4)CL increases (5%) while LA(3)OA(1) CL decreases (7%) in the LA-cookie group but are unaltered in the OA-cookie group. Conclusions: LA-rich oil fortification increases while OA-oil has no effect on LA(4)CL in adults. Because LA-rich oil fortification reduces cardiometabolic disease risk and increases LA(4)CL, determining whether mitochondrial dysfunction is repaired through dietary fortification is warranted.

Automated summary

This study found that fortification with LA-rich oil can increase LA(4)CL in adults, while oil with high oleate (OA) safflower had no effect on LA(4)CL. Considering that increasing LA(4)CL can reduce the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, further research is needed to determine if dietary fortification can repair mitochondrial dysfunction.