Effects of Palmitate and Oleate on the Respiratory Quotient During Acute Feeding

Objective: Using tracers, we showed, over 9 hours, that palmitic acid (PA) is oxidized at a lower rate than oleic acid (OA). Our subsequent clinical trial showed that enriching the diet for 28 days with PA, relative to OA, lowered fatty acid (FA) oxidation. However, because this conclusion was based on indirect calorimetry for 7 hours after a test meal, transient differences in the kinetics of oxidation of OA and PA could explain these results. Thus, we hypothesized that increasing PA vs. OA would decrease FA oxidation during the first day of feeding the diets.

Research Methods And Procedures: A double-masked trial was conducted in 20 adults, who, after a baseline diet, were randomized to one of two experimental formula diets: high (HI) OA (PA=1.7% kcal, OA=31.4% kcal; N=11) or HI PA (PA=16.8% kcal, OA=16.4% kcal; N=9). Respiratory quotient (RQ) was measured over the first 14 hours of feeding the experimental diets (7:00 am to 9:00 pm). To determine whether these subjects were representative of the subjects in the previous trial, we assessed RQ 28 days after beginning either diet.

Results: During the first 14 hours of feeding the diets, time (p=0.026) but not diet group had an effect on the difference between the RQ post-feeding and the fasting pre-value. However, RQ in the fed state was significantly higher in the HI PA group after 28 days of feeding.

Discussion: Chronically increasing dietary PA for 28 days, but not acute meal feeding, lowers total FA oxidation.