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Fast Breaking Comments

By Esther Lopez-Garcia

ESI Special Topics, December 2006
Citing URL - http://www.esi-topics.com/fbp/2006/december06-EstherLopez-Garcia.html

Esther Lopez-Garcia answers a few questions about this month's fast breaking paper in the field of Agricultural Sciences.

From •>>December 2006

Field: Agricultural Sciences
 Article Title: Consumption of Trans fatty acids is related to plasma biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Lopez-Garcia, E;Schulze, MB;Meigs, JB;Manson, JAE;Rifai, N;Stampfer, MJ;Willett, WC;Hu, FB
Journal: J NUTR
Volume: 135
Issue: 3
Page: 562-566
Year: MAR 2005
* Harvard Univ, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Nutr, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA.
* Harvard Univ, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Nutr, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA.
* Harvard Univ, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Epidemiol, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA.
* Harvard Univ, Sch Med, Dept Med, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA.
* Harvard Univ, Massachusetts Gen Hosp, Dept Med, Div Gen Med, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA.
* Harvard Univ, Sch Med, Channing Lab, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA.
* Harvard Univ, Sch Med, Div Prevent Med, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA.
* Harvard Univ, Sch Med, Dept Lab Med, Childrens Hosp, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA.
* Harvard Univ, Sch Med, Dept Pathol, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA.

ST:  Why do you think your paper is highly cited?


“In this paper, we suggest a new mechanism by which trans fatty acids increase the risk of cardiovascular disease”

In this paper, we suggest a new mechanism by which trans fatty acids increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

ST:  Does it describe a new discovery, methodology, or synthesis of knowledge?

This paper provides a new explanation for the biological mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of trans fatty acids on endothelial function.

ST:  Could you summarize the significance of your paper in layman’s terms?

This paper found that long-term consumption of trans fats, even at the lower levels, could be detrimental to the function of the artery walls, and this can lead to cardiovascular disease.

ST:  How did you become involved in this research, and were any problems encountered along the way?

This paper is part of a broader study that analyzes the association between the intake of nutrients known to affect the risk of cardiovascular disease and plasma concentrations of well-known markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.

An important problem is that the trans fatty acid content of many foods has changed over time. We minimized these errors by considering the brand and specific type of food when calculating trans fatty acid content.

ST:  Are there any social or political implications for your research?

These data lend further support for the recommendation to minimize the content of trans fat in the diet.End

Esther Lopez-Garcia, Ph.D.
Ramon y Cajal Research Fellow
Dept. Preventive Medicine and Public Health
School of Medicine
Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
Madrid, Spain

ESI Special Topics, December 2006
Citing URL - http://www.esi-topics.com/fbp/2006/december06-EstherLopez-Garcia.html

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