| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2683252 | Clinical Nutrition | 2010 | 5 Pages |
SummaryBackground & aimsLow-grade systemic inflammation and pro-inflammatory pattern of cell membrane fatty acid composition characterize patients affected by type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. We hypothesize that inactivity-induced insulin resistance could affect levels of pro-inflammatory fatty acids in cell membranes.MethodsThirty healthy, male, young volunteers were investigated before and after 35-day experimental bed rest. Diet composition was adapted to previous dietary habits. Fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membranes was analyzed by gas-chromatography using flame ionization detector.ResultsFollowing bed rest, the HOMA index of insulin resistance significantly increased by +51 ± 11% (P < 0.01). Bed rest was associated with increased n-6 polyunsaturated (+4.7 ± 2.2%; P < 0.01) and decreased monounsaturated (−4.8 ± 1.5%; P < 0.01) fatty acid content in erythrocyte membranes. Fractional content of arachidonic acid increased by +14 ± 12% (P = 0.01) following inactivity. Δ5 and Δ9 desaturase indexes, as estimated from product-to-precursor ratios, significantly diminished following bed rest from 9.6 ± 0.4 to 8.4 ± 0.3 (P < 0.001) and from 0.72 ± 0.02 to 0.69 ± 0.01 (P < 0.05), respectively. The n-3 fatty acids, α-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic, were decreased (P = 0.05) following inactivity by 4.7 ± 13.2% and 3.8 ± 5.2%, respectively.ConclusionsInactivity-mediated insulin resistance was associated with altered Δ5 and Δ9 desaturase indexes and with pro-inflammatory fatty acid pattern in erythrocyte membranes. These abnormalities could contribute to the low-grade inflammation associated to inactivity.
