Hostname: page-component-669899f699-g7b4s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-04-28T11:02:28.691Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The effects of conjugated linoleic acid on human health-related outcomes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 March 2007

Sabine Tricon ,
Graham C. Burdge ,
Christine M. Williams ,
Philip C. Calder  and
Parveen Yaqoob
Sabine Tricon*
Affiliation:
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, School of Food Biosciences, PO Box 226, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AP, UK
Graham C. Burdge
Affiliation:
Institute of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton SO16 7PX, UK
Christine M. Williams
Affiliation:
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, School of Food Biosciences, PO Box 226, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AP, UK
Philip C. Calder
Affiliation:
Institute of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton SO16 7PX, UK
Parveen Yaqoob
Affiliation:
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, School of Food Biosciences, PO Box 226, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AP, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Dr Sabine Tricon, fax 0118 931 0080, email [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a collective term for a mixture of positional and geometric isomers of conjugated dienoic derivatives of linoleic acid. CLA has received considerable attention as a result of animal experiments that report anti-carcinogenic, anti-atherogenic and anti-diabetic properties, and modulation of body composition and immune function. Several studies of CLA supplementation in human subjects have now been published, but in contrast to animal studies there has been marked variation between reports on the health-related outcomes. The consensus from seventeen published studies in human subjects is that CLA does not affect body weight or body composition. Some detrimental effects of the trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomer have also been reported in terms of altered blood lipid composition and impaired insulin sensitivity. Finally, CLA has only limited effects on immune functions in man. However, there have been reports of some interesting isomer-specific effects of CLA on the blood lipid profile, but not on immune function. These isomer-specific effects need further investigation. Until more is known, CLA supplementation in man should be considered with caution.

Keywords

CLABody compositionBlood lipidsInsulin resistanceImmune function
Type
Postgraduate Symposium
Information
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 64 , Issue 2 , May 2005 , pp. 171 - 182
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2005

References

Albers, R, Van Der Wielen, RP, Brink, EJ, Hendriks, HF, Dorovska-Taran, VN & Mohede, IC (2003) Effects of cis -9, trans -11 and trans -10, cis -12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers on immune function in healthy men. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 57, 595–603.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Azain, MJ, Hausman, DB, Sisk, MB, Flatt, WP & Jewell, DE (2000) Dietary conjugated linoleic acid reduces rat adipose tissue cell size rather than cell number. Journal of Nutrition 130, 1548–1554.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bassaganya-Riera, J, Hontecillas, R, Zimmerman, DR & Wannemuehler, MJ (2001) Dietary conjugated linoleic acid modulates phenotype and effector functions of porcine CD8+ lymphocytes. Journal of Nutrition 131, 2370–2377.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bassaganya-Riera, J, Hontecillas, R, Zimmerman, DR & Wannemuehler, MJ (2002) Long-term influence of lipid nutrition on the induction of CD8+ responses to viral or bacterial antigens. Vaccine 20, 1435–1444.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Belury, MA (2002) Inhibition of carcinogenesis by conjugated linoleic acid: potential mechanisms of action. Journal of Nutrition 132, 2995–2998.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Belury, MA, Mahon, A & Banni, S (2003) The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomer, t10c12-CLA, is inversely associated with changes in body weight and serum leptin in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Journal of Nutrition 133, 257S – 260S.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Benito, P, Nelson, GJ, Kelley, DS, Bartolini, G, Schmidt, PC & Simon, V (2001) The effect of conjugated linoleic acid on plasma lipoproteins and tissue fatty acid composition in humans. Lipids 36, 229–236.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Berven, G, Bye, A, Hals, O, Blankson, H, Fagertun, H, Thom, E, Wadstein, J & Gudmundsen, O (2000) Safety of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in overweight or obese human volunteers. European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology 102, 455–462.3.0.CO;2-V>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Blankson, H, Stakkestad, JA, Fagertun, H, Thom, E, Wadstein, J & Gudmundsen, O (2000) Conjugated linoleic acid reduces body fat mass in overweight and obese humans. Journal of Nutrition 130, 2943–2948.Google ScholarPubMed
Burdge, GC, Lupoli, B, Russell, JJ, Tricon, S, Kew, S, Banerjee, T, Shingfield, KJ, Beever, DE, Grimble, RF, Williams, CM, Yaqoob, P & Calder, PC (2004) Incorporation of cis -9, trans -11 or trans -10, cis -12 conjugated linoleic acid into plasma and cellular lipids in healthy men. Journal of Lipid Research 45, 736–741.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Calder, PC (2002) Conjugated linoleic acid in humans – reasons to be cheerful? Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care 5, 123–126.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chew, BP, Wong, TS, Shultz, TD & Magnuson, NS (1997) Effects of conjugated dienoic derivatives of linoleic acid and beta-carotene in modulating lymphocyte and macrophage function. Anticancer Research 17, 1099–1106.Google ScholarPubMed
Cook, ME, Miller, CC, Park, Y & Pariza, M (1993) Immune modulation by altered nutrient metabolism – nutritional control of immune-induced growth depression. Poultry Science 72, 1301–1305.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
de Deckere, EAM, van Amelsvoort, JMM, McNeill, GP & Jones, P (1999) Effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers on lipid levels and peroxisome proliferation in the hamster. British Journal of Nutrition 82, 309–317.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
DeLany, JP, Blohm, F, Truett, AA, Scimeca, J & West, DB (1999) Conjugated linoleic acid rapidly reduces body fat content in mice without affecting energy intake. American Journal of Physiology 276, R1172–R1179.Google ScholarPubMed
DeLany, JP & West, DB (2000) Changes in body composition with conjugated linoleic acid. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 19, 487S – 493S.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Evans, M, Brown, J & McIntosh, M (2002) Isomer-specific effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on adiposity and lipid metabolism. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 13, 508.Google ScholarPubMed
Gaullier, JM, Halse, J, Hoye, K, Kristiansen, K, Fagertun, H, Vik, H & Gudmundsen, O (2004) Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation for 1 y reduces body fat mass in healthy overweight humans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 79, 1118–1125.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gavino, VC, Gavino, G, Leblanc, MJ & Tuchweber, B (2000) An isomeric mixture of conjugated linoleic acids but not pure cis -9, trans -11-octadecadienoic acid affects body weight gain and plasma lipids in hamsters. Journal of Nutrition 130, 27–29.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Griinari, JM & Bauman, DE (1999) Biosynthesis of conjugated linoleic acid and its incorporation into meat and milk in ruminants. In Advances in Conjugated Linoleic Acid Research, 180 – 199 [Yurawecz, MP, Mossoba, MM, Kramer, JKG, Pariza, MW and Nelson, GJ, editors]. Champaign IL: AOCS Press.Google Scholar
Hayek, MG, Han, SN, Wu, DY, Watkins, BA, Meydani, M, Dorsey, JL, Smith, DE & Meydani, SN (1999) Dietary conjugated linoleic acid influences the immune response of young and old C57BL/6NCrlBR mice. Journal of Nutrition 129, 32–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van den Houseknecht, KL, Heuvel, JP, Moya-Camarena, SY, Portocarrero, CP, Peck, LW, Nickel, KP & Belury, MA (1998) Dietary conjugated linoleic acid normalizes impaired glucose tolerance in the Zucker diabetic fatty fa/fa rat. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 247, 911–911.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ip, C, Banni, S, Angioni, E, Carta, G, McGinley, J, Thompson, HJ, Barbano, D & Bauman, D (1999) Conjugated linoleic acid-enriched butter fat alters mammary gland morphogenesis and reduces cancer risk in rats. Journal of Nutrition 129, 2135–2142.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ip, C, Chin, SF, Scimeca, JA & Pariza, MW (1991) Mammary cancer prevention by conjugated dienoic derivative of linoleic acid. Cancer Research 51, 6118–6124.Google ScholarPubMed
Ip, C, Scimeca, JA & Thompson, H (1995) Effect of timing and duration of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on mammary cancer prevention. Nutrition and Cancer 24, 241–247.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ip, C, Singh, M, Thompson, HJ & Scimeca, JA (1994) Conjugated linoleic acid suppresses mammary carcinogenesis and proliferative activity of the mammary gland in the rat. Cancer Research 54, 1212–1215.Google ScholarPubMed
Kamphuis, MM, Lejeune, MP, Saris, WH, Westerterp-Plantenga, MS (2003a) The effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation after weight loss on body weight regain, body composition, and resting metabolic rate in overweight subjects. International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders 27, 840–847.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kamphuis, MMJW, Lejeune, MPGM, Saris, WHM & Westerterp-Plantenga, MS (2003b) Effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation after weight loss on appetite and food intake in overweight subjects. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 57, 1268–1274.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Katz, A, Nambi, SS, Mather, K, Baron, AD, Follmann, DA, Sullivan, G & Quon, MJ (2000) Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index: a simple, accurate method for assessing insulin sensitivity in humans. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 85, 2402–2410.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kelley, DS & Erickson, KL (2003) Modulation of body composition and immune cell functions by conjugated linoleic acid in humans and animal models: benefits vs. risks. Lipids 38, 377–386.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kelley, DS, Simon, VA, Taylor, PC, Rudolph, IL, Benito, P, Nelson, GJ, Mackey, BE & Erickson, KL (2001) Dietary supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid increased its concentration in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, but did not alter their function. Lipids 36, 669–674.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kelley, DS, Taylor, PC, Rudolph, IL, Benito, P, Nelson, GJ, Mackey, BE & Erickson, KL (2000) Dietary conjugated linoleic acid did not alter immune status in young healthy women. Lipids 35, 1065–1071.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kelley, DS, Warren, JM, Simon, VA, Bartolini, G, Mackey, BE & Erickson, KL (2002) Similar effects of c 9, t 11-CLA and t 10, c 12-CLA on immune cell functions in mice. Lipids 37, 725–728.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kreider, RB, Ferreira, MP, Greenwood, M, Wilson, M & Almada, AL (2002) Effects of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation during resistance training on body composition, bone density, strength, and selected hematological markers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 16, 325–334.Google ScholarPubMed
Larsen, TM, Toubro, S & Astrup, A (2003) Efficacy and safety of dietary supplements containing CLA for the treatment of obesity: evidence from animal and human studies. Journal of Lipid Research 44, 2234–2241.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lawson, RE, Moss, AR & Givens, DI (2001) The role of dairy products in supplying conjugated linoleic acid to man's diet: a review. Nutrition Research Reviews 14, 153–172.Google ScholarPubMed
Lee, KN, Kritchvesky, D & Pariza, MW (1994) Conjugated linoleic acid and atherosclerosis in rabbits. Atherosclerosis 108, 19–25.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McGuire, MK, McGuire, MA, Ritzenthaler, KL & Schultz, TD (1999) Dietary sources and intakes of conjugated linoleic acid intake in humans. In Advances in Conjugated Linoleic Acid Research, pp. 369 – 377 [Yurawecz, MP, Mossoba, MM, Kramer, JKG, Pariza, MW and Nelson, GJ, editor]. Nelson GJ Champaign IL: AOCS Press.Google Scholar
Malpuech-Brugere, C, Verboeket-van, de, Venne, WP, Mensink, RP, Arnal, MA, Morio, B, Brandolini, M, Saebo, A, Lassel, TS, Chardigny, JM, Sebedio, JL & Beaufrere, B (2004) Effects of two conjugated linoleic acid isomers on body fat mass in overweight humans. Obesity Research 12, 591–598.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Matthews, DR, Hosker, JP, Rudenski, AS, Naylor, BA, Treacher, DF & Turner, RC (1985) Homeostasis model assessment: insulin resistance and beta-cell function from fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in man. Diabetologia 28, 412–419.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Medina, EA, Horn, WF, Keim, NL, Havel, PJ, Benito, P, Kelley, DS, Nelson, GJ & Erickson, KL (2000) Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation in humans: Effects on circulating leptin concentrations and appetite. Lipids 35, 783–788.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Miller, CC, Park, Y, Pariza, MW & Cook, ME (1994) Feeding conjugated linoleic-acid to animals partially overcomes catabolic responses due to endotoxin injection. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 198, 1107–1112.Google ScholarPubMed
Mougios, V, Matsakas, A, Petridou, A, Ring, S, Sagredos, A, Melissopoulou, A, Tsigilis, N & Nikolaidis, M (2001) Effect of supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid on human serum lipids and body fat. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 12, 585–594.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nicolosi, RJ, Rogers, EJ, Kritchevsky, D, Scimeca, JA & Huth, PJ (1997) Dietary conjugated linoleic acid reduces plasma lipoproteins and early aortic atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Artery 22, 266–277.Google ScholarPubMed
Noone, EJ, Roche, HM, Nugent, AP & Gibney, MJ (2002) The effect of dietary supplementation using isomeric blends of conjugated linoleic acid on lipid metabolism in healthy human subjects. British Journal of Nutrition 88, 243–251.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pariza, MW (2004) Perspective on the safety and effectiveness of conjugated linoleic acid. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 79, 1132S–1136S.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pariza, MW, Park, Y & Cook, ME (2000) Mechanisms of action of conjugated linoleic acid: Evidence and speculation. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine 223, 8–13.Google ScholarPubMed
Pariza, MW, Park, Y & Cook, ME (2001) The biologically active isomers of conjugated linoleic acid. Progress in Lipid Research 40, 283–298.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Park, Y, Albright, KJ, Liu, W, Storkson, JM, Cook, ME & Pariza, MW (1997) Effect of conjugated linoleic acid on body composition in mice. Lipids 32, 853–858.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Park, Y, Storkson, JM, Albright, KJ, Liu, W & Pariza, MW (1999) Evidence that the trans -10, cis -12 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid induces body composition changes in mice. Lipids 34, 235–241.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Petridou, A, Mougios, V & Sagredos, A (2003) Supplementation with CLA: isomer incorporation into serum lipids and effect on body fat of women. Lipids 38, 805–811.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ridker, PM (2001) High-sensitivity C-reactive protein: potential adjunct for global risk assessment in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Circulation 103, 1813–1818.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Riserus, U, Basu, S, Jovinge, S, Fredrikson, GN, Arnolv, J & Vessby, B (2002a) Supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid causes isomer-dependent oxidative stress and elevated C-reactive protein. Circulation 106, 1925–1929.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Riserus, U, Berglund, L & Vessby, B (2001) Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduced abdominal adipose tissue in obese middle-aged men with signs of the metabolic syndrome: a randomised controlled trial. International Journal of Obesity 25, 1129–1135.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Riserus, U, Brismar, K, Arner, P & Vessby, B (2002b) Treatment with dietary trans- 10 cis- 12 conjugated linoleic acid causes isomer-specific insulin resistance in obese men with the metabolic syndrome. Diabetes Care 25, 1516–1521.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Riserus, U, Smedman, A, Basu, S & Vessby, B (2004a) Metabolic effects of conjugated linoleic acid in humans: the Swedish experience. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 79, 1146S–1148S.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Riserus, U, Vessby, B, Arnlov, J & Basu, S (2004b) Effects of cis -9, trans -11 conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on insulin sensitivity, lipid peroxidation, and proinflammatory markers in obese men. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 80, 279–283.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Roche, HM, Noone, E, Nugent, AP & Gibney, MJ (2001) Conjugated linoleic acid: a novel therapeutic nutrient. Nutrition Research Reviews 14, 173–187.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ryder, JW, Portocarrero, CP, Song, XM, Cui, L, Yu, M, Combatsiaris, T, Galuska, D, Bauman, DE, Barbano, DM, Charron, MJ, Zierath, JR & Houseknecht, KL (2001) Isomer-specific antidiabetic properties of conjugated linoleic acid. Improved glucose tolerance, skeletal muscle insulin action, and UCP-2 gene expression. Diabetes 50, 1149–1157.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sebedio, J-L, Gnaedig, S & Chardigny, J-M (1999) Recent advances in conjugated linoleic acid research. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care 2, 499–506.Google ScholarPubMed
Smedman, A & Vessby, B (2001) Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation in humans – metabolic effects. Lipids 36, 773–781.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stangl, GI (2000) Conjugated linoleic acid exhibits a strong fat-to-lean partitioning effect, reduce serum VLDL lipids and redistribute tissue lipids in food-restricted rats. Journal of Nutrition 130, 1140–1146.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sugano, M, Tsujita, A, Yamasaki, M, Noguchi, M & Yamada, K (1998) Conjugated linoleic acid modulates tissue levels of chemical mediators and immunoglobulins in rats. Lipids 33, 521–527.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Terpstra, AH (2004) Effect of conjugated linoleic acid on body composition and plasma lipids in humans: an overview of the literature. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 79, 352–361.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thom, E, Wadstein, J & Gudmundsen, O (2001) Conjugated linoleic acid reduces body fat in healthy exercising humans. Journal of International Medical Research 29, 392–396.Google ScholarPubMed
Thompson, HJ, Zhu, Z, Banni, S, Darcy, K, Loftus, T & Ip, C (1997) Morphological and biochemical status of the mammary gland as influenced by conjugated linoleic acid: implication for a reduction in mammary cancer risk. Cancer Research 57, 5067–5072.Google ScholarPubMed
Tracy, RP (1998) Inflammation in cardiovascular disease: cat, horse, or both? Circulation 97, 2000–2002.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tricon, S, Burdge, GC, Kew, S, Banerjee, T, Russell, JJ, Grimble, RF, Williams, CM, Calder, PC & Yaqoob, P (2004a) Effects of cis -9, tran s-11 and trans -10, cis -12 conjugated linoleic acid on immune cell function in healthy humans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 80, 1626–1633.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tricon, S, Burdge, GC, Russell, JJ, Jones, EL, Grimble, RF, Williams, CM, Yaqoob, P & Calder, PC (2004b) Opposing effects of cis -9, trans -11 and trans -10, cis -12 CLA on blood lipids in healthy humans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 80, 614–620.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tsuboyama-Kasaoka, N, Takahashi, M, Tanemura, K, Kim, HJ, Tange, T, Okuyama, H, Kasai, M, Ikemoto, S & Ezaki, O (2000) Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation reduces adipose tissue by apoptosis and develops lipodystrophy in mice. Diabetes 49, 1534–1542.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Turek, JJ, Li, Y, Schoenlein, IA, Allen, KGD & Watkins, BA (1997) Conjugated linoleic acid alters cytokine but not PGE(2) production in rats. FASEB Journal 11, 3755–3755.Google Scholar
Turek, JJ, Li, Y, Schoenlein, IA, Allen, KGD & Watkins, BA (1998) Modulation of macrophage cytokine production by conjugated linoleic acids is influenced by the dietary n -6: n -3 fatty acid ratio. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 9, 258–266.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
West, DB, DeLany, JP, Camet, PM, Blohm, F, Truett, AA & Scimeca, J (1998) Effects of conjugated linoleic acid on body fat and energy metabolism in the mouse. American Journal of Physiology 275, R667–R672.Google ScholarPubMed
Yamasaki, M, Chujo, H, Hirao, A, Koyanagi, N, Okamoto, T, Tojo, N et al. (2003) Immunoglobulin and cytokine production from spleen lymphocytes is modulated in C57BL/6J mice by dietary cis -9, trans -11 and trans -10, cis -12 conjugated linoleic acid. Journal of Nutrition 133, 784–788.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yudkin, JS, Stehouwer, CDA, Emeis, JJ & Coppak, SW (1999) C-reactive protein in healthy subjects: Associations with obesity, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, Vascular Biology 19, 972–978.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zambell, KL, Horn, WF & Keim, NL (2001) Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation in humans: Effects on fatty acid and glycerol kinetics. Lipids 36, 767–772.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zambell, KL, Keim, NL, Van Loan, MD, Gale, B, Benito, P, Kelley, DS & Nelson, GJ (2000) Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation in humans: Effects on body composition and energy expenditure. Lipids 35, 777–782.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed