Trans Fatty Acids

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Trans Fatty Acids

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So whats the big deal?

• In 1995 trans fatty acids make up an estimated
  4-12 of the average Americans dietary fat
  intake (Roach et al 2004).
• Thats 2-4 of total energy input, or as much as
  13.3 g of trans fatty acid/day!
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What are trans fatty acids

• Fatty Acids-long chain carbon complexes
• Classified as
• Saturated
• Unsaturated
• Cis-normal biological conformation
• Trans-distorted conformation-resembles saturated
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Whats the deal with these fatty acids?

• Hydrogenation- a process to transform saturated
  fatty acids in the form of oils to a more viscous
  unsaturated form. (eg. Vegetable oil?
  margarine).
• This process results in a combination of cis and
  trans unsaturated fatty acids.
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The chemistry?Cis
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The chemistry-trans
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The chemistry-saturated
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So whats the big deal?

• Trans fatty acids do occur in nature (Jirovitz et
  al), but in extremely small amounts. Thanks to
  the process of hydrogenation, a little bit has
  turned into a lot.
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So whats the big deal?

• Fatty acids play many important roles in the cell
• Intracellular signaling
• Make up membrane that holds the cell together
• Energy storage

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So what?

• Well, since this drastic change in conformation
  changes how the fatty acid functions in the roles
  it holds. This has implicated it in many health
  problems
• Increase in coronary disease, and
  arteriosclerosis rates
• Potential carcinogens
• Accumulates in body-tougher to get rid of!

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Whats the difference?

• Results in a change in shape of the long carbon
  chain of the fatty acid.
• In chemistry, shape has a strong influence on how
  the molecule interacts with other molecules.
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What happens to the membrane?
Figure 1. Effect of conformation on membrane
fluidity
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Any more bad news?
Figure 2. Effect of conformation on membrane
permeability
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How do they contribute to heart disease?

• Activity of 12-P LOX is suppressed by all
  cistrans fatty acids used
• Cycloxygenase/thromboxane synthase activity is
  significantly inhibited by polyunsaturated
  fattyacids.
• Trans fatty acids may modify the activity of
  receptors and other membrane proteins.
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Whats the cancer connection

• Strong correlations between accumulation of trans
  fatty acids in butt fat, and breast cancer rates.
• Comparisons were done with women who had low, vs
  high trans fatty acid consumption.
• Showed 40 increase in risk of developing breast
  cancer.
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Any more bad news?

• Increases likelihood of developing type II
  diabetes.
• Increases LDL levels in blood (baaaaaad
  cholesterol!)
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Whats the King to do?

• Cut back on the fast food
• Cut back on the margarine
• Limit overall fat intake
• Moderation is key
• Give us an A

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References

• Special Thanks to Johnny Mack, and Jewels, for
  the Renegades, and the the hair care!
• Roach et al. Comparison of cis and trans fatty
  acid containing phosphatidylcholines on
• membrane properties. Biochemistry 2004, 43,
  6344-6351
• Ewa Stachowska et al. Trans Fatty Isomers Modify
  Lipoxygenase and Cyclooxygenase/Thromboxane
  Synthase. Nutrition Volume 20, Number 6, 2004
• JIROVETZ et al. Aroma Compound Analysis of Eruca
  sativa (Brassicaceae)
• SPME Headspace Leaf Samples Using GC, GC-MS, and
• Olfactometry. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2002, 50,
  4643-4646
• www.sciencedaily.com
• www.dannycarey.org