Dietary Omega-7 Palmitoleic Acid-Rich Oil on Lipoprotein Metabolism and Satiety in Adults

Serum cholesterol is transported by lipoproteins, such as VLDL, LDL, and HDL, which vary in their relationship to cardiovascular disease risk. LDL, for example, is proatherogenic, whereas HDL is cardio-protective. Palmitoleic acid (cis-C16:1 n-7), an omega-7 fatty acid with 16 carbons in length with a single double bound in the n-7 position, have been shown in mice and human to decrease proatherogenic lipoproteins, such as LDL, and reduce cardiovascular risk factors. This study will test the hypothesis that palmitoleate supplementation in humans will favorably alter the lipoprotein lipid profile in regard to cardiovascular disease risk. We will also assess other parameters related to lipoprotein composition and function, as well as other biomarkers related to coagulation and inflammation, which have previously been shown to be possibly affected by supplementation with omega-7 fatty acid. In addition, previous animal studies have indicated the palmitoleate induced satiety and suppressed body weight gain, possibly through enhancement of the release of satiety hormones. In this clinical trial, we therefore will also examine the effect of concentrated palmitoleate on satiety.

This clinical research project is designed as a pilot, randomized, double-blinded, crossover study that will investigate the effect of concentrated oil enriched with palmitoleate on lipoprotein metabolism and satiety. Subjects will either receive control olive oil enriched in oleic acid, a longer-chain monounsaturated fatty acid (cis-C18:1 n-9), or a concentrate oil supplement produced from pollock fish (rich in palmitoleate) for approximately 8-10 weeks, with a wash out period of 8-10 weeks between the two arms of the study. The study consists of 4 outpatient visits when laboratory or research samples will be performed. A 7-day food diary, pill count, and red cell membrane fatty acid levels will be monitored to assess compliance. The effect of the supplement on satiety will be assessed at each visit.

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:
• Male and female participants 18 years of age or above.
• Subject must be healthy, with no known history of cardiovascular disease.
• Post-menopausal or women of childbearing potential must be non-lactating and using an effective form of birth control during the course of the study.
• Subject understands protocol and provides written, informed consent in addition to a willingness to comply with specified follow-up evaluations.
• Subjects with triglyceride levels above 100 mg/dL

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy, planned pregnancy (within the study period), or women currently breastfeeding.
• Subjects with allergy or known hypersensitivity to fish, omega-3-acid ethyl esters, omega-7 ethyl esters, other related drugs, or any component of study drugs
• Subjects with weight changes greater than 20% over the past 3 months.
• Subjects planning a significant change in diet or exercise levels.
• Subjects already consuming more than 2 g per day of MUFA, PUFA or other forms of fatty acid supplement if determined by the investigator as having a potential to interfere in the data quality or patient safety.
• Subjects with chronic diarrhea, gastric bypass or lap-band procedures, ostomies, bowel motility problems, or other known conditions that could affect intestinal fat absorption.
• Subjects with any acute and life-threatening condition, such but not limited to as prior sudden cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction (last three months), stroke, embolism as per investigator assessment.
• Subjects taking supplements or medications that affect lipoproteins for at least the past 8 weeks, such as fish oil supplements, bile-acid sequestrants, plant sterol supplements, fibrates, statins, Niacin or PCSK9 inhibitors.
• Subjects being treated with tamoxifen, estrogens, or progestins that have not been stable for >4 weeks.
• Subjects initiating new medications or patients on multiple medications may also be excluded according to investigator discretion.
• Anticipated surgery during the study period.
• Liver enzymes (AST or ALT) levels above 3x upper limit of normal.
• Blood donation in the last 2 weeks or planned blood donation during the study.
• Subjects requiring regular transfusions for any reason.
• Subjects may also be excluded for any reason that may compromise their safety or the accuracy of research data or for not complying with protocol directions.
• Abnormal baseline laboratory values that are considered not clinically significant by the PI will not exclude the subject.