Lower estimates of δ-5 desaturase and elongase activity are related to adverse profiles for several metabolic risk factors in young Japanese women

Little is known about the relation between the activities of certain enzymes involved in endogenous fatty acid synthesis and metabolic risk factors, particularly in young adults and non-Western populations. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the associations between estimated desaturase and elongase activities and metabolic risk factors in young Japanese women. The subjects were 640 female Japanese dietetic students aged 18 to 22 years. Body height and weight, from which body mass index (BMI) was derived, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical and fatty acid measurements. Desaturase and elongase enzyme activities were estimated as the ratio of product to precursor of individual fatty acids in serum lipids. δ-9 desaturase activity was positively associated with BMI, diastolic blood pressure, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triacylglycerol and was negatively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P ≤ .019). δ-6 desaturase activity showed positive associations with BMI, systolic blood pressure, triacylglycerol, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P ≤ .045). δ-5 desaturase activity showed independent negative associations with BMI, systolic blood pressure, triacylglycerol, insulin, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P ≤ .007). Elongase activity was associated negatively with BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and triacylglycerol and was positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P ≤ .026). In conclusion, increased estimates of δ-9 and δ-6 desaturase activity and decreased estimates of δ-5 desaturase and elongase activity were associated with adverse profiles for several metabolic risk factors in young Japanese women.