Assessment of Plasma Phospholipid Very-Long-Chain Saturated Fatty Acid Levels and Healthy Aging
Published on MedED: 17 September 21
Type of article: Clinical Summary
MedED Catalogue Reference: MG001
Compiler: Quinten Williams
Sources: JAMA
Type of article: Clinical Summary
MedED Catalogue Reference: MG001
Compiler: Quinten Williams
Sources: JAMA
An examination of very-long-chain saturated fatty acids (VLSFA), and a possible link to healthy aging, is the essence of this research. Referencing previous studies, the authors explain why VLSFAs are considered beneficial:
Higher levels of circulating very-long-chain saturated fatty acids (VLSFAs), saturated fatty acids with 20 carbons or more, are integrated biomarkers of diet and metabolism that are associated with lower risk of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes, which are chronic diseases that contribute to unhealthy aging, and lower risk of sudden cardiac arrest and total mortality.1(p2)
The authors note the objectives of their study:
To examine the association of circulating levels of 3 VLSFAs with unhealthy aging events, including incident chronic disease (cardiovascular disease, cancer, lung disease or severe kidney disease), physical dysfunction, and cognitive decline.1(p1)
Longitudinal data from the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) on cardiovascular disease among older adults provided the study population. The examination of this data lead to the following conclusions and relevance:
These findings suggest that higher levels of circulating behenic acid and lignoceric acid are associated with lower risk of unhealthy aging events. These results highlight the need to explore determinants of circulating VLSFAs for potential novel efforts to promote healthy aging.1(p1)
The authors point out that the study results are limited because it was an observational study and causality could not be established, but the results were robust. In their words:
This is an observational study and causality cannot be established, as residual confounding by unknown factors is possible. However, the results were robust to adjustment for multiple characteristics. Reverse causality is also of potential concern in association studies and would operate, for example, if frailty led to low levels of VLSFAs. However, we eliminated participants with a wide range of medical conditions and symptoms in this study of incident unhealthy aging and examined the association of VLSFAs in a particularly healthy group at entry.1(p8)
Referring to public health efforts to increase life quality for the growing aging population defined as people 65 years and above, the authors argue that it is important to "[identify] novel factors that protect against age-related diseases and promote healthy aging”.1(p1)
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Assessment of Plasma Phospholipid Very-Long-Chain Saturated Fatty Acid Levels and Healthy Aging 
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References:
1. Bockus LB, Biggs ML, Lai HTM, et al. Assessment of Plasma Phospholipid Very-Long-Chain Saturated Fatty Acid Levels and Healthy Aging. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(8):e2120616. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.20616
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