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.