Influence of a stearic acid-rich structured triacylglycerol on postprandial lipemia, factor VII concentrations, and fibrinolytic activity in healthy subjects

Background: An elevated postprandial lipid concentration is believed to be atherogenic and to increase the risk of thrombosis. Objective: The objective was to test whether the consumption of a stearic acid-rich structured triacylglycerol has adverse effects on postprandial fibrinolytic activity and lipemia, factor VII coagulant (FVII:c) activity, and activated FVII (FVIIa) concentrations. Design: A randomized crossover design was used to compare the effects on middle-aged healthy men (n = 17) and women (n = 18) of meals enriched with cocoa butter, high-oleate sunflower oil (oleate), or a structured triacylglycerol containing stearic acid. Results: The mean increases from fasting in plasma triacylglycerol 3 h after the oleate, cocoa butter, and structured triacylglycerol meals were 1.36 (95% CI: 1.17, 1.56), 1.39 (1.17,1.63), and 0.65 (0.50, 0.82) mmo/L, respectively. Tissue plasminogen activator activity increased and plasminogen activator type 1 activity decreased after all 3 meals. Plasma FVII:c increased after the oleate and cocoa butter meals but not after the structured triacylglycerol meal. The values 6 h after the oleate and cocoa butter meals were 11.3% (7.0%, 15.6%) and 9.9% (4.7%, 15.2%), respectively, and were significantly different (P <0.0001 and P = 0.001, respectively) from the value after the triacylglycerol meal [2.1% (-1.1%, 5.3%)]. Plasma FVIIa increased after all 3 meals, more so after the oleate and cocoa butter meals than after the structured triacylglycerol meal. Conclusion: The consumption of stearic acid in the form of a structured triacylglycerol leads to less of an increase in plasma triacylglycerol and in FVII:c than does a meal enriched in cocoa butter or oleate.