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

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Healthy
• Interventions: Dietary Supplement: alpha-linolenic acid-rich supplement

• Registration Number: NCT02410161
• Lead Sponsor: Université de Sherbrooke

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.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2013-07
• Primary Completion: 2014-05
• Study Completion: 2014-05
• Status Verified: 2015-03
• Study First Submitted: 2015-03-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2015-04-01
• Study First Posted: 2015-04-07
• Results First Submitted: 2017-09-12
• Results First Submitted QC: 2019-02-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-02-11
• Results First Posted: 2019-02-18
• Last Update Posted: 2019-02-18

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

• aged between 18 and 30 or 65 years and more

Exclusion Criteria

• 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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
4 week ALA treatment	alpha-linolenic acid-rich supplement	Participants will receive the alpha-linolenic acid-rich supplement (1000mg 4 times par day) for 4 weeks

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Ketone Production	After 4 weeks	Total Ketone (acetoacetate + beta-hydroxybutyrate) concentration in plasma in average during the metabolic study day, measured hourly between 1 and 6h after breakfast

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Plasma Triglycerides	After 4 weeks	Triglycerides measured in plasma in average during the metabolic study day, measured hourly between 1 to 6h after breakfast
Insulin Concentration in Plasma	after 4 weeks	Insulin measured in plasma in average during the metabolic study day, measured hourly between 0 ans 6 h after breakfast
Plasma Glucose	After 4 weeks	Glucose measured in plasma in average during the metabolic study day, measure hourly between 0 and 6 h after breakfast
Plasma Free Fatty Acids	4 weeks	Free fatty acids measured in plasma in average during the metabolic study day, measured hourly between 1 to 6h after breakfast