(P02-040-23) The Acute Effects of Meals Rich in Saturated or Unsaturated Fatty Acids on Postprandial Lipaemia and Vascular Function in Healthy Sri Lankan Men (CocoHeart Sri Lankan Study)

Objectives: Elevated postprandial triacylglycerol (TAG) responses are an important independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). As consumer demand for plant-based foods increases, coconut oil is gaining popularity in the western world, but little is known about the effects of this plant-derived saturated fat (SFA) rich oil on postprandial lipaemia and vascular function. The CocoHeart Sri Lankan acute study aimed to investigate the acute consumption of test meals rich in SFA or unsaturated fat (UFA) on postprandial vascular function and associated CVD risk biomarkers in men.

Methods: A double-blind, randomised, crossover, controlled postprandial study was conducted in 15 healthy men. After fasting overnight participants consumed a high fat mixed test breakfast containing 50g of total fat rich in SFA (coconut oil or butter) or UFA (sesame oil) on three separate occasions, each 2 weeks apart. Blood samples were collected at 0 min and regularly until 360 min to measure lipids and glucose. Measures of vascular function (arterial stiffness and blood pressure) were determined at 0, 180 and 300 min.

Results: Participants had a mean (SD) age 45 (8) years, BMI 23.0 (2.7) kg/m², with fasted lipids and glucose within the normal range. There were no significant differences in any of the outcomes between study visits at baseline (0 min). The postprandial TAG time-course profile, AUC, and iAUC were higher after the UFA-rich meal than after either of the SFA-rich meals (P ≤ 0.001). AUC and iAUC for the LDL-C (P ≤ 0.011) and iAUC for the postprandial HDL-C response were lower after the UFA-rich than SFA-rich meals (P ≤ 0.0001). Postprandial arterial stiffness was not different after consuming the test fats. The iAUC for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was lower after the UFA-rich compared with the SFA-rich butter meal (mean ± SEM: −4.2 ± 3.7 versus 7.3 ± 4.1 mm Hg × 300 min × 10²; P = 0.012), with a similar trend compared with the coconut oil-rich meal (P=0.044).

Conclusions: In conclusion, relative to sesame oil, butter and coconut oil rich meals showed similar effects on postprandial TAG and LDL-C but differential effects on HDL-C iAUC and DBP.

Funding Sources: This research was supported by Wayamba University Research Grant.