Association between plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids and metabolic syndrome risk: A prospective and mediation study in a multiethnic Asian population

Background & aims

Metabolic syndrome is prevalent in Asian populations, but it remains to be established if polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) play a preventive role. We aimed to investigate the association between the longitudinal change in plasma n-3 and n-6 PUFA and MetS incidence and potential mediating role of inflammation on the association between baseline plasma PUFA and MetS incidence.

Methods

Prospective data were collected from 1303 males and females (aged 21–75 years) in a Multi-Ethnic Cohort at baseline and at a median follow-up of 6 years. Anthropometric measures and blood pressure were measured during physical examinations. Plasma levels of PUFA and the inflammatory marker glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA) were quantified using nuclear magnetic resonance. MetS was defined as meeting ≥3 of the following components: abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose. Mixed effects logistic regression was used to investigate the prospective associations, and Generalised Structural Equation Modeling was used to assess mediation.

Results

Plasma total n-3 PUFA [odds ratio (OR) 0.55 per 1 % of total fatty acids increment], docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (OR 0.30), total n-6 PUFA (OR 0.55) and linoleic acid (LA) (OR 0.70) were inversely associated with incidence of MetS (all p < 0.001). Regarding MetS components, higher plasma total n-3, total n-6 PUFA, and LA were associated with lower odds of elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose (p < 0.05). Using mediation analyses, GlycA significantly mediated the associations between baseline plasma total n-6 PUFA (20 %) and LA (50 %) and MetS.

Conclusion

Higher plasma levels of total n-3, DHA, total n-6, and LA are associated with a lower risk of MetS. The inverse association between LA concentration and MetS incidence may be mediated by reduction in systemic inflammation, however, further studies are warranted to verify.