Does palmitoleic acid supplementation reduce hs-CRP in adults?

Supplementation with palmitoleic acid (POA) 500 or 1,000 mg/day does not appear to substantially reduce high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) or change other biomarkers in adults relative to placebo, reports a study.

Some 123 participants with hs-CRP concentrations ≥2 mg/L were randomized to receive 500 or 1,000 mg/day of marine-source POA or placebo for 12 weeks. Plasma inflammatory/metabolic biomarkers at baseline and 12 weeks were assessed using fasting blood draws via multiplex immunoassays. Plasma and red blood cell (RBC) POA concentrations were quantified using gas chromatography.

The investigators assessed dietary intake using the Nutrition Data System for Research. They also determined whether there was an effect of either baseline or dosage on inflammatory/metabolic biomarkers using analysis of covariance. 

At baseline, hs-CRP concentrations were comparable across groups (geometric mean: 0.57, 0.54, and 0.53 at 1,000, 500 mg/day, and placebo, respectively). No changes were observed in hs-CRP concentration within and between the three groups in response to the supplementation.

Analysis of covariance showed no significant effect of baseline hs-CRP or POA dosage on changes in hs-CRP. Likewise, no changes were noted in secondary or exploratory endpoints in response to placebo or POA. Furthermore, there were marked changes measured in select plasma and RBC fatty acids that significantly correlated with POA dosage (p<0.001) but not baseline.

"POA is an n–7 monounsaturated fatty acid,” the investigators said. “Preclinical studies suggest cis-POA lowers inflammation and improves metabolism.”