The Effect of Cis and Trans Vaccenic Acids on Expression of ICAM-1 And VCAM-1 in Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HMEC)

Trans-fatty acids (TFA) are known as a risk factor for coronary artery diseases. Trans-11 vaccenic acid [VA; 18:1(n-9)], known as the major trans fatty acid in milk fat, is a positional and geometric isomer of oleic acid and a precursor of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in human. This study was carried out in order to investigate the effect of Cis and Trans Vaccenic Acids on expression of intra cellular adhesion molecul-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cellular adhesion molecul-1 (VCAM-1) in human Microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs). To induce adhesion molecules expression, TNF-α or LPS were added to HMECs in a cell culture being treated with Cis and Trans vaccenic acid. In the next step, to evaluate ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression before and after the treatment, Western blot technique was used. The analyzed results indicated that Cis and Trans vaccenic acids are able to suppress VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression on HMEC near to the basal level. Also it has been found that cis vaccenic acid isomer could suppress both VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression as well as trans isomer. Together all and considering the role of mentioned adhesion molecules in atherosclerosis; it seems that Cis and trans vaccenic acids could be a possible prophylaxis agents in populations with high risk of atherosclerosis.