Effects of a dairy product (pecorino cheese) naturally rich in cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid on lipid, inflammatory and haemorheological variables: A dietary intervention study

Background and aimSome studies recently reported a favourable effect for cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on plasma lipoprotein profile of healthy subjects. Aim of this crossover intervention study was to evaluate the influence of a short-term dietary intake of a cheese derived from sheep's milk naturally rich in CLA on several atherosclerotic biomarkers, in comparison with a commercially available cheese.Methods and resultsTen subjects (6 F; 4 M) with a median age of 51.5 followed for 10 weeks a diet containing 200 g/week of cheese naturally rich in CLA (intervention period) and for the same period a diet containing a commercially available cheese of the same quantity (placebo period). Consumption of the dairy product naturally rich in cis-9, trans-11 CLA determined a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in inflammatory parameters such as interleukin-6 (pre: 8.08 ± 1.57 vs. post: 4.58 ± 0.94 pg/mL), interleukin-8 (pre: 45.02 ± 5.82 vs. post: 28.59 ± 2.64 pg/mL), and tumour necrosis factor-α (pre: 53.58 ± 25.67 vs. post: 32.09 ± 17.42 pg/mL) whereas no significant differences in the placebo period were observed. With regard to haemorheological parameters, the test period significantly ameliorated erythrocytes' filtration rate (pre: 7.61 ± 0.71% vs. post: 9.12 ± 0.97%; p = 0.03) with respect to the placebo period. Moreover, a reduction in the extent of platelet aggregation, induced by arachidonic acid [pre: 87.8 ± 1.76% vs. post: 77.7 ± 3.56%; p = 0.04] was observed during the test period in comparison with the placebo period.ConclusionsDietary short-term intake of the tested dairy product naturally rich in cis-9, trans-11 CLA appeared to cause favourable biochemical changes of atherosclerotic markers.