No Observed Difference in Inflammatory and Coagulation Markers Following Diets Rich in n-6 Polyunsaturated Fat vs Monounsaturated Fat in Adults With Untreated Hypercholesterolemia: A Randomized Trial

Is Cottonseed Oil the Next Healthy Oil?

Cotton is primarily recognized as a textile crop; however, recent evidence suggests that cottonseed oil (CSO) may be a simple and effective dietary approach to improving cardiometabolic risk factors. The purpose of this perspective is to draw attention to the current literature examining the physiological benefits of CSO consumption and highlight the remaining questions that need to be answered to fully evaluate the potential of CSO to be the next important nutrition intervention for improving cardiometabolic health.

Improvements in markers of inflammation and coagulation potential following a 5-day high-fat diet rich in cottonseed oil vs. Olive oil in healthy males

Low-grade inflammation is believed to be a risk factor for chronic diseases and is nutritionally responsive. Cottonseed oil (CSO), which is rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fats, has been shown to lower cholesterol and other chronic disease risk factors. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to determine the comparative responses of markers of inflammation and coagulation potential of healthy adult males consuming diets rich in CSO vs. olive oil (OO).

METHODS

Fifteen normal-weight males, ages 21.7 ± 2.58y, completed a randomized crossover trial. Each intervention consisted of a 3-day lead-in diet and a 5-day outpatient, controlled feeding intervention (CSO or OO). There was a 2 to 4-week washout period between interventions. The 5-day intervention diets were 35 % carbohydrate, 15 % protein, and 50 % fat, enriched with either CSO or OO (44 % of total energy from oil). At pre- and post- diet intervention visits, a fasting blood draw was collected for analysis of markers of inflammation (Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-Reactive Protein (CRP)) and coagulation potential (Tissue Factor (TF), Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)).

RESULTS

The CSO-enriched diets reduced TNF-α (CSO: -0.12 ± 0.02 pg/ml, OO: -0.01 ± 0.05 pg/ml; p < 0.01) and TF (CSO: -0.59 ± 0.68 pg/ml, OO: 1.13 ± 0.83 pg/ml; p = 0.02) compared to OO diets. There were no differences in IL-6, CRP, or PAI-1 between diets.

CONCLUSION

A 5-day, CSO-enriched diet may be sufficient to reduce inflammation and coagulation potential compared to OO-enriched diets in a healthy male population which could have implications in chronic disease prevention.