Dietary Conjugated Linoleic Acid Isomers Modify the Fatty Acid Composition of Liver and Adipose Tissues

Authors
Guillermo Hernández Díaz 1
Julio C. Ramírez Nava 2
Isaac Aguirre Maldonaldo 3
Beatriz Agame Lagunes 1
Narvic L. Cortez Ríos 2
Sandra Hernandez Leyva 4
Hugo S. García* 1
Alfonso Alexander Aguilera 5
1 INSTITUTO TECNOLÓGICO DE VERACRUZ.
2 INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN CIENCIAS DE LA SALUD.
3 INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE MEDICINA GENÓMICA.
4 INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACION EN CIENCIAS DE LA SALUD.
5 UNIVERSIDAD POPULAR AUTÓNOMA DE VERACRUZ.
10.61882/ibj.4990
Abstract
Background: Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are a group of isomers derived from linoleic acid, naturally present in beef, lamb, and dairy products. CLA has been reported to exert therapeutic effects on cancer, obesity, and diabetes. This study evaluated the effects of a mixture containing equal proportions of CLA isomers (c9,t11 and t10,c12) on insulin resistance (IR) and their incorporation into the plasma membranes of adipocytes and hepatocytes in SHRs.

Methods: For eight weeks, one group of hypertensive rats received sunflower oil supplemented with CLA isomers, while the control group received only vegetable oil. Serum parameters were measured, and the fatty acid composition of plasma membranes was analyzed using gas chromatography.

Results: Rats treated with CLA isomers showed a reduction in body weight (BW), IR, and hypertension. Additionally, there was a significant incorporation of CLA into the plasma membranes of adipocytes and hepatocytes. In contrast, the control rats displayed higher levels of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid and arachidonic acid (AA) in their membranes, which promote the synthesis of eicosanoids and hypertensive prostaglandins. These findings were further supported by data mining analysis, which linked the results to the expression levels of genes encoding enzymes involved in the synthesis of PGE2, D2, and F2α from AA.

Conclusion: The mixture of CLA isomers reduced BW, IR, and hypertension in SHRs. These effects were associated with the incorporation of c9,t11 and t10,c12 isomers into the plasma membranes of adipocytes and hepatocytes.
Keywords
Adipocytes
Conjugated linoleic acid
Hepatocytes
hypertension
Insulin resistance
Iranian Biomedical Journal
Volume 29, Issue 4 - Serial Number 119
July and August 2025
Pages 216-227