Eating fatty fish decreased the lipophilic index in individuals with impaired glucose metabolism or coronary heart disease, in keeping with a recent study from the University of Eastern Finland. The lipophilic index is taken into account a marker of cell membrane fluidity, and a low lipophilic index indicates higher membrane fluidity. In a recent study published in Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases, a low lipophilic index was further related to larger mean HDL particle size and better concentration of huge HDL particles, which suggests cardiovascular profit.

The lipophilic index has been introduced to explain membrane fluidity, which might modify the function of cells and membrane-bound proteins. The length and saturation of fatty acids in membranes affects membrane fluidity. For instance, fatty acids in serum lipids or erythrocyte membranes could be used to calculate the lipophilic index. Previous studies have suggested that long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in fish have a helpful effect on cardiovascular risk, nonetheless, more research into the mechanisms continues to be needed. Camelina oil, then again, is wealthy in alpha-linolenic acid, which is a necessary omega-3 fatty acid whose associations with membrane fluidity aren’t known.

The researchers used data from two randomized clinical trials to check the consequences of fish and camelina sativa oil intake on the lipophilic index. The primary study included 79 men and girls with impaired glucose tolerance. The second study included 33 men and girls with heart problems. Study participants were randomly divided into 4 groups for a 12-week intervention: the camelina oil group, the fatty fish group, the lean fish group, and the control group in the primary study. Within the second study, subjects were randomly divided into the fatty fish, lean fish, and control groups for an 8-week intervention. The lipophilic index was calculated based on erythrocyte membrane fatty acids in the primary study, and serum phospholipid fatty acids within the second study.

In each studies, eating 4 meals of fatty fish per week reduced the lipophilic index, which indicates higher membrane fluidity. Higher membrane fluidity has been related to lower cardiovascular risk. Higher membrane fluidity as measured by the lipophilic index was also related to larger HDL particles, which have also been related to a lower cardiovascular risk. Eating lean fish or camelina sativa oil didn’t affect the lipophilic index.

Source:

University of Eastern Finland (UEF Viestintä)

Journal reference:

Lyytinen, A. T., et al. (2023) Fatty fish consumption reduces lipophilic index in erythrocyte membranes and serum phospholipids. Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases. doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2023.04.011.