Objective
The main objective of this proposal is to create a network with the ability to assess the impact of different Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) isomers on health (cancer prevention and cardiovascular risk factors). Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a term used to describe positional and geometrical isomers of linoleic acid (cis-9,cis- 1 2-octadecadienoic acid), but mainly 9-cis, 1 1 -transoctadecadienoic acid. It occurs naturally in significant amounts in ruminant-derived fats such as meat and dairy products, where it is produced through isomerization of linoleic acid by microorganisms in the rumen. These agricultural products are of immense importance to European agricultural production, but have received a bad press from nutritionists for a variety of reasons. However, CLA has been shown to have a number of beneficial effects on disease states in animal models. For example, CLA has unique chemoprotective properties against experimental carcinogenesis in that it is effective in various organs and at various stages, and its effects occur at low dietary concentrations (close to the human average intake). It may also have positive effects on cardiovascular risk factors (decrease in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol). It is hoped that by drawing attention to these findings some of the damage done to the beef and dairy industries can be redressed and consumers re-assured.
It is timely that the potential of CLA should now be investigated in humans. In particular, it is necessary to determine which of a number of potential isomers has the maximum beneficial impact on cancer and cardiovascular disease. Similarly, preliminary work towards development of food products with naturally increased levels of CLA will be undertaken, and processes for commercial production of health food supplements will be examined. Chemical synthesis of specific CLA isomers and metabolites will be carried out, and the metabolism of these in animal models will be studied. Improved analytical methodology will be devised, and a ring test organised. The partners in this proposal come from seven European countries, and from industry, research institutes and universities. They cover a wide range of disciplines, from process engineers to medicine, or from agricultural science to chemistry. Most are experienced in European collaborations
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
- agricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedairy
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipids
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinecardiologycardiovascular diseases
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncology
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiology
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Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CON - Coordination of research actionsCoordinator
21034 Dijon
France