This article was originally published in the October 2016 edition of Matreya’s Newsletter for Glyco/Sphingolipid Research (PDF).

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) have been implicated in anticarcinogenic, anti-atherogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities.¹ In addition, they have been shown to decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increase lean body mass. CLAs comprise several linoleic acid isomers with varying double bond positions and cis/trans configurations. The major natural CLA is 9(Z),11(E)-conjugated linoleic acid (9Z,11E-CLA), which comprises over 90% of the CLAs in ruminant fats. The other major natural CLA isomer, 10(E),12(Z)-conjugated linoleic acid (10E,12Z-CLA), has been implicated in anticarcinogenic activity, suppressing in vitro growth of human melanoma, colorectal, and breast cancer cells and exhibiting anti-atherogenic activity.² When assimilated through the diet of animals, CLA is found in the intestinal mucosa, liver, and adipose tissue. Recently, the role of CLA in chronic inflammation has undergone renewed investigation. 

Chronic inflammation is a debilitating disorder affecting a large percentage of the population. There is increasing evidence that various lipids affect the progression of inflammation positively or negatively. The anti-inflammatory effect of 9Z,11E-CLA has been shown in dendritic cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and splenic macrophages.^3-5 Huebner and colleagues have demonstrated that as little as 0.125% (w/w) 9Z,11E-CLA in the diet maximized CLA's anti-inflammatory effects in a collagen-induced mouse model of arthritis.⁶ Although the anti-inflammatory mechanism is not fully understood, CLA appears to reduce TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 expression. Additionally, when fed butter containing as little as 0.02% total dietary 9Z,11E-CLA, arthritic measurements were found to be as low as when fed 0.125% CLA supplements. These results offer exciting insights into the effectiveness of dairy products and CLA supplements in reducing inflammation.

Many studies have utilized mixtures of 9Z,11E-CLA and 10E,12Z-CLA, making it hard to demonstrate which isomer was responsible for specific effects and the potential competing mechanisms between the isomers. By using pure isomers, a more defined role of each CLA species can be measured. Cayman offers four highly purified CLA isomers for comparative research studies.

Purified CLA Isomers

9(Z),11(E)-Conjugated Linoleic Acid

9(Z),11(E)-Conjugated Linoleic Acid methyl ester