Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Atherosclerosis

June 11, 2015 updated by: Michiel L. Bots, UMC Utrecht

Possible Effects of Supplementation With Cis-9, Trans-11 Conjugated Linoleic Acid on Markers of Atherosclerosis

Rationale: Cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) can protect against the atherosclerosis development in several animal models. Studies in transgenic mice have shown that mechanisms might involve beneficial effects on lipoprotein metabolism and insulin sensitivity and in addition activation of anti-inflammatory pathways. A very limited amount of human studies have not shown similar beneficial effect of cis9,trans11-CLA on insulin sensitivity in obese subjects, yet cis9,trans11-CLA did improve the lipoprotein profile in healthy subjects. The effect of cis9,trans11-CLA supplementation on alternative early biomarkers of atherosclerosis, like aortic pulse wave velocity, and alternative biomarkers identified through platelet proteomics, has not been assessed before, and may add valuable insights into the mechanism of this functional fatty acid in humans.

Objective: To assess the effect of increased intake of cis9 trans11-CLA on development of atherosclerosis, as assessed with aortic pulse wave velocity and on alternative biomarkers.

Study design: The study is designed as a double blind randomised placebo controlled parallel group trial.

Study population: 400 men and women, between 40 and 70 years of age, with a body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or above. Subjects with previous symptomatic vascular disease or diabetes mellitus and subjects on blood pressure lowering or lipid lowering medication are excluded.

Intervention: Subjects in the intervention arm will receive daily 4 g of CLA oil (2.6 g cis9,trans11-CLA), 2 capsules to be taken in the morning and 2 in the evening. The subjects in the control arm receive 4 identical placebo capsules.

Main study parameters/endpoints: The main study outcome is difference between treatment arms in change in aortic pulse wave velocity after 6 months intervention.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Rationale: Cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) can protect against the atherosclerosis development in several animal models. Studies in transgenic mice have shown that mechanisms might involve beneficial effects on lipoprotein metabolism and insulin sensitivity and in addition activation of anti-inflammatory pathways. A very limited amount of human studies have not shown similar beneficial effect of cis9,trans11-CLA on insulin sensitivity in obese subjects, yet cis9,trans11-CLA did improve the lipoprotein profile in healthy subjects. The effect of cis9,trans11-CLA supplementation on alternative early biomarkers of atherosclerosis, like aortic pulse wave velocity, and alternative biomarkers identified through platelet proteomics, has not been assessed before, and may add valuable insights into the mechanism of this functional fatty acid in humans.

Objective: To assess the effect of increased intake of cis9 trans11-CLA on development of atherosclerosis, as assessed with aortic pulse wave velocity and on alternative biomarkers.

Study design: The study is designed as a double blind randomised placebo controlled parallel group trial.

Study population: The study population comprises 400 men and women, between 40 and 70 years of age, with a body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or above. Subjects with previous symptomatic vascular disease or diabetes mellitus and subjects on blood pressure lowering or lipid lowering medication are excluded.

Intervention: Subjects in the intervention arm will receive daily 4 g of CLA oil (2.6 g cis9,trans11-CLA), 2 capsules to be taken in the morning and 2 in the evening. The subjects in the control arm receive 4 identical placebo capsules.

Main study parameters/endpoints: The main study outcome is difference between treatment arms in change in aortic pulse wave velocity after 6 months intervention. Secondary outcomes are differences between treatment groups in change in serum lipids (total, LDL- and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) and change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as in F2-isoprostanes and platelet biomarkers of haemostatic function (proteomics). Blood samples will be stored for assessment of plasma parameters of glucose intolerance, inflammation and endothelial function.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: The assessment of aortic pulse wave velocity is non-invasive and does not carry any risks nor has any side effects. The assessment of lipids and blood pressure might sometimes carry some discomfort but can be seen as routine procedures. Completion of questionnaire needs to done once. The participants need to come to the research center three times. Based on findings of several short-term and long-term studies using the compound, no excess serious adverse events were found.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

401

Phase

  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Utrecht, Netherlands, 3584 CX
        • Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, UMC Utrecht

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

40 years to 70 years (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Written and signed informed consent
  • Healthy men and women
  • Between 40-70 years of age
  • Body mass index > 25 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Inability to understand the patient information
  • Inability to speak, read and understand the Dutch language
  • Indication (BP over 160/90) or using blood pressure lowering drugs
  • Indication (total cholesterol > 8 mmol/l) or using lipid lowering drugs
  • Indication (glucose > 7 mmol/l) or using glucose lowering drugs
  • Alcohol abuse (>21 alcoholic beverages per week)
  • Women who are pregnant, lactating or who are planning to become pregnant
  • Symptomatic vascular disease
  • Use of fish oils (omega 3/6,capsules or oil)
  • Use of plant stanols/sterols (margarines like benecol, pro active)
  • Use of weight loss supplements
  • Receipt of any investigational treatment (drug or device) within 30 days prior to visit 1

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
  • Allocation: RANDOMIZED
  • Interventional Model: PARALLEL
  • Masking: QUADRUPLE

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
PLACEBO_COMPARATOR: placebo
The control oil is based on the general fat consumption in a Western population and consists of an equal amount (4 gr) of fat. It is a blend of palm (80%) and soybean oil (20%). Two capsules will be taken in the morning and two in the evening.
An oil rich in cis9, trans11 conjugated linoleic acid (cis9,trans11-CLA). Of the total amount of CLA in the oil, 80% is cis9, trans11-CLA and 20% trans10, cis12-CLA. In total 4 grams of oil will be given daily. The oil will be taken in the form of soft gel capsules. Two capsules will be taken in the morning and two in the evening.
Other Names:
  • oil rich in cis9, trans11 CLA
identical placebo capsules.
Other Names:
  • no other names
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: oil rich in cis9, trans11 CLA
Subjects will receive daily 4 g of CLA oil (2.6 g cis9,trans11-CLA), 2 capsules to be taken in the morning and 2 in the evening.
An oil rich in cis9, trans11 conjugated linoleic acid (cis9,trans11-CLA). Of the total amount of CLA in the oil, 80% is cis9, trans11-CLA and 20% trans10, cis12-CLA. In total 4 grams of oil will be given daily. The oil will be taken in the form of soft gel capsules. Two capsules will be taken in the morning and two in the evening.
Other Names:
  • oil rich in cis9, trans11 CLA
identical placebo capsules.
Other Names:
  • no other names

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
The main study outcome is difference between treatment arms in change in aortic pulse wave velocity after 6 months intervention.
Time Frame: 6 months
6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
change in serum lipids (total, LDL- and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) and change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and platelet biomarkers of haemostatic function (proteomics).
Time Frame: 6 months
6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Michiel L Bots, MD, PhD, UMC Utrecht

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

June 1, 2007

Primary Completion (ACTUAL)

November 1, 2008

Study Completion (ACTUAL)

December 1, 2008

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 26, 2008

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 27, 2008

First Posted (ESTIMATE)

June 30, 2008

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ESTIMATE)

June 15, 2015

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 11, 2015

Last Verified

June 1, 2015

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Subscribe