Effect of an Alpha-linolenic Acid-rich Supplement on Ketogenesis and Plasma Fatty Acids

NCT02410161 | Completed Results

• 1 other identifier: 2014-389
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Background: As the main alternative fuel to glucose for the brain, increased plasma ketones could potentially help compensate for brain glucose hypometabolism occurring during aging. The precursor long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), is normally mostly β-oxidized and so could potentially be used to stimulate ketogenesis in humans. Objective: To compare the impact of an ALA-rich supplement on the ketogenic response in young and older healthy adults. Design: Ten young and ten older adults will consume a flaxseed oil supplement providing 2 g/d of ALA for 4 weeks. Plasma ketones, free fatty acids, triglycerides, glucose and insulin will be measured over 6 h during two metabolic study days, one before and one at the end of the supplementation. Hypothesis: ALA-rich supplement for 4 weeks will increase ketone production in both groups.

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

ketone; α-linolenic acid; flaxseed; aging; β-hydroxybutyrate; acetoacetate; omega-3 fatty acids; ketogenesis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Ketone Production

  Total Ketone (acetoacetate + beta-hydroxybutyrate) concentration in plasma in average during the metabolic study day, measured hourly between 1 and 6h after breakfast

  After 4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Plasma Glucose

  After 4 weeks

• Plasma Triglycerides

  After 4 weeks

• Plasma Free Fatty Acids

  4 weeks

• Insulin Concentration in Plasma

  after 4 weeks

Study Arms (1)

4 week ALA treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive the alpha-linolenic acid-rich supplement (1000mg 4 times par day) for 4 weeks

Dietary Supplement: alpha-linolenic acid-rich supplement

Interventions

alpha-linolenic acid-rich supplement DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

each participant consumed one 1000 mg capsule of flaxseed oil four times per day for 4 weeks, providing a total of 2 g/d of ALA. The capsules used were a commercially available flaxseed oil supplement containing ALA at 56% of total fatty acids (Jamieson, Toronto, ON, Canada). The other main fatty acids present in flaxseed oil include linoleic acid (18%), oleic acid (16%), palmitic and stearic acid (10% combined).

4 week ALA treatment

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• aged between 18 and 30 or 65 years and more

You may not qualify if:

• non smoker
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• diabetes or insulin resistance
• uncontrolled thyroid disease, hepatic or renal disease
• uncontrolled high blood pressure
• medical treatment influencing lipid or glucide metabolism
• ongoing or past severe drug or alcohol abuse
• dementia or psychiatric difficulties or depression
• chronic immune condition or inflammation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Université de Sherbrooke: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Ketosis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Acidosis; Acid-Base Imbalance; Metabolic Diseases; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Pr. Stephen Cunnane
• Organization: Université de Sherbrooke

stephen.cunnane@usherbrooke.ca

819-780-2220

Study Officials

• Stephen Cunnane, PhD

  Université de Sherbrooke

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: Yes

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Dietary Supplement: alpha-linolenic acid-rich supplement

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 16, 2015
• First Posted: April 7, 2015
• Study Start: July 1, 2013
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2014
• Study Completion: May 1, 2014
• Last Updated: February 18, 2019
• Results First Posted: February 18, 2019

Record last verified: 2015-03