Dietary fat and protein intake in relation to plasma sphingolipids as determined by a large-scale lipidomic analysis

Jowy Yi Hoong Seah*, Wee Siong Chew, Federico Torta, Chin Meng Khoo, Markus R. Wenk, Deron R. Herr, E. Shyong Tai, Rob M. van Dam*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Sphingolipid concentrations have been associated with risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Because sphingolipids can be synthesized de novo from saturated fatty acids (SFA), dietary fatty acids may affect plasma sphingolipid concentrations. We aimed to evaluate dietary fat and protein intakes in relation to circulating sphingolipid levels. We used cross-sectional data from 2860 ethnic Chinese Singaporeans collected from 2004–2007. Nutrient intakes were estimated on the basis of a validated 159-item food frequency questionnaire. We quantified 79 molecularly distinct sphingolipids in a large-scale lipidomic evaluation from plasma samples. Higher saturated fat intake was associated with higher concentrations of 16:1;O2 sphingolipids including ceramides, monohexosylcermides, dihexosylceramides, sphingomyelins, and sphingosine 1-phosphates. Higher polyunsaturated fat intake was associated with lower plasma long-chain ceramides and long-chain monohexosylcermide concentrations. Protein intake was inversely associated with concentrations of most subclasses of sphingolipids, with the exception of sphingolipids containing a 16:1;O2 sphingoid base. Lower intake of saturated fat and higher intake of polyunsaturated fat and protein may decrease plasma concentrations of several sphingolipid classes. These findings may represent a novel biological mechanism for the impact of nutrient intakes on cardio-metabolic health.

Original languageEnglish
Article number93
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalMetabolites
Volume11
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Ceramides
  • Hexosylceramides
  • Lipidomics
  • Monounsaturated fat
  • Polyunsaturated fat
  • Protein
  • Saturated fat
  • Sphingomyelin

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