Erythrocyte Odd-Chain Fatty Acids and Cardiometabolic Disease Risk in Asians
Overview
This prospective study in 8,185 Chinese adults found that erythrocyte odd-chain fatty acids (OCFAs) 15:0 and 17:0 were inversely associated with incident ischemic heart disease (IHD), diabetes, and total cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs). An updated meta-analysis including over 112,000 participants confirmed these inverse associations, supporting OCFAs as potential biomarkers for CMD risk across diverse populations.
Background
Cardiometabolic diseases, including IHD, diabetes, and stroke, are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with diet playing a critical role in their development. Traditional dietary assessments are limited by recall bias, highlighting the need for objective biomarkers. Odd-chain fatty acids 15:0 and 17:0 have been proposed as biomarkers of dairy fat intake and linked to lower CMD risk in Western populations, but their dietary sources and associations in Asian populations with low dairy intake remain unclear. This study addresses these gaps by analyzing erythrocyte OCFAs in a large Chinese cohort and conducting a comprehensive meta-analysis.
Data Highlights
Outcome
Adjusted HR (Top vs Bottom Tertile) 15:0
Adjusted HR (Top vs Bottom Tertile) 17:0
Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD)
0.72 (95% CI 0.59–0.89)
0.69 (95% CI 0.56–0.86)
Diabetes
Not significant
0.41 (95% CI 0.27–0.62)
Total Cardiometabolic Diseases (CMDs)
Not significant
0.85 (95% CI 0.74–0.97)
Meta-analysis pooled relative risks per 10th-90th percentile range: 15:0 and diabetes: 0.74 (0.68–0.80) 17:0 and diabetes: 0.65 (0.61–0.71) 17:0 and IHD: 0.87 (0.77–0.97)
Key Findings
In Chinese adults with low dairy intake, erythrocyte OCFAs 15:0 and 17:0 correlated with dietary fiber, fish/seafood, wheat, and coarse grains, not just dairy.
Higher levels of 15:0 and 17:0 were significantly associated with lower risk of incident ischemic heart disease.
17:0 was inversely associated with incident diabetes and total cardiometabolic diseases.
Updated meta-analysis of 33 studies confirmed inverse associations of 15:0 and 17:0 with diabetes and 17:0 with IHD across diverse populations.
OCFAs may serve as modifiable biomarkers for nutritional assessment and risk stratification in cardiometabolic disease prevention.
Clinical Implications
Measurement of erythrocyte OCFAs 15:0 and 17:0 can aid clinicians in identifying individuals at lower risk for cardiometabolic diseases and guide personalized dietary interventions. Given their association with diverse dietary sources beyond dairy in Asian populations, promoting intake of foods rich in OCFAs such as fish, whole grains, and dietary fiber may be beneficial. These biomarkers could enhance nutritional assessment accuracy and support targeted prevention strategies.
Conclusion
Erythrocyte odd-chain fatty acids 15:0 and 17:0 are inversely associated with cardiometabolic disease risk in Asian populations with varied dietary patterns. Their potential as universal biomarkers warrants further interventional studies to explore their role in personalized nutrition and CMD prevention.
References
China Kadoorie Biobank Study Group 2024 -- Association of Erythrocyte Odd-Chain Fatty Acids with Cardiometabolic Disease Risk
