Saturated is not always bad: findings from a newly discovered metabolite

Saturated is not always bad: findings from a newly discovered metabolite

The fatty acids are necessary components of human diets, with more benefits attributed to unsaturated fatty acids. Two well-established essential fatty acids include alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid, which correspondingly belong to the omega-3 and omega-6 groups. These acids serve as a source of multiple essential metabolites in the human body, which can regulate inflammation, pain, appetite, mood, and sleep. As for the saturated fatty acids, they are associated with significantly less benefits. Moreover, most dietary recommendations insist on lowering their daily consumption. However, recent research highlighted pentadecanoic acid (PA) – a saturated fatty acid present in dairy fat, fish, and some plants – as an essential fatty acid needed for physiological health. 

‍

image1

‍

Large cohort studies linked a high concentration of this acid to a lower risk of several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Further, higher intake has been connected with lower mortality and greater chances for longevity. Daily oral supplementation with PA has been shown to significantly lower glucose and inflammation markers in a model of obesity. These health benefits have been explained through several mechanisms, but no previous study of human PA metabolism has been carried out.

‍

Watson et al. carried out research to fill this knowledge lacuna. They identified a highly active PA metabolite – a product of fatty acid interaction with carnitine (a molecule that transports fatty acids to mitochondria). This compound, called pentadecanoylcarnitine (PDC), demonstrated an array of clinically relevant activities. In human cell-based studies, PDC was able to restore mitochondrial function and repair reactive species-induced damage. Additionally, PDC demonstrated broad anti-inflammatory properties in fore human cell systems mimicking, among others, chronic inflammation, pulmonary disease, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

‍

The discoveries in human cells were backed by the metabolite targeting three key receptor families. One of the most interesting targets was cannabinoid receptors. Previously discovered endogenous compounds able to interact with these receptors were called endocannabinoids and have gained attention to their role in supporting various aspects of physical and mental health. Sufficient production of endocannabinoids is linked to the prevention of diabetes, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune disorders, anxiety, and depression. In addition, PDC was able to bind to histamine receptors, thus modulating chronic and allergy-related inflammation. The third target was serotonin receptors, suggesting a range of possible applications for depression and anxiety management, but more research is needed.

‍

Generally, PA and PDC findings disagree with the current recommendations on saturated fatty acids and their metabolites. However, detailed research shows that not all saturated fatty acids are equally harmful. In particular, odd-chain fatty acids (such as PA) are necessary and able to produce beneficial metabolites (such as PDC). Interestingly, odd-chain metabolites tend to decrease with age, suggesting that further research is needed to understand an interplay between PA, mitochondrial function, and aging.

Source Scientific Reports