HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hargrove, J. L. Articles by Hartle, D. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hargrove, J. L. Articles by Hartle, D. K.

---

MINIREVIEW

Nutritional Significance and Metabolism of Very Long Chain Fatty Alcohols and Acids from Dietary Waxes

James L. Hargrove^*,1, Phillip Greenspan and Diane K. Hartle

^* Department of Foods and Nutrition and Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602

To whom requests for reprints should be addressed at ¹ Department of Foods and Nutrition, Dawson Hall, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. E-mail: jhargrov{at}fcs.uga.edu

Very long chain fatty alcohols obtained from plant waxes and beeswax have been reported to lower plasma cholesterol in humans. This review discusses nutritional or regulatory effects produced by wax esters or aliphatic acids and alcohols found in unrefined cereal grains, beeswax, and many plant-derived foods. Reports suggest that 5–20 mg per day of mixed C24–C34 alcohols, including octacosanol and triacontanol, lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 21%–29% and raise high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 8%–15%. Wax esters are hydrolyzed by a bile salt–dependent pancreatic carboxyl esterase, releasing long chain alcohols and fatty acids that are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Studies of fatty alcohol metabolism in fibroblasts suggest that very long chain fatty alcohols, fatty aldehydes, and fatty acids are reversibly inter-converted in a fatty alcohol cycle. The metabolism of these compounds is impaired in several inherited human peroxisomal disorders, including adrenoleukodystrophy and Sjögren-Larsson syndrome. Reports on dietary management of these diseases confirm that very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) are normal constituents of the human diet and are synthesized endogenously. Concentrations of VLCFA in blood plasma increase during fasting and when children are placed on ketogenic diets to suppress seizures. Existing data support the hypothesis that VLCFA exert regulatory roles in cholesterol metabolism in the peroxisome and also alter LDL uptake and metabolism.

Key Words: very long chain fatty acids • policosanol • octacosanol • wax esters • cholesterol

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. P. J. Dullens, R. P. Mensink, M. C. E. Bragt, A. K. Kies, and J. Plat Effects of emulsified policosanols with different chain lengths on cholesterol metabolism in heterozygous LDL receptor-deficient mice J. Lipid Res., April 1, 2008; 49(4): 790 - 796. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Cabello-Moruno, J. S. Perona, J. Osada, M. Garcia, and V. Ruiz-Gutierrez Modifications in Postprandial Triglyceride-Rich Lipoprotein Composition and Size after the Intake of Pomace Olive Oil J. Am. Coll. Nutr., February 1, 2007; 26(1): 24 - 31. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. N Kassis and P. J. Jones Lack of cholesterol-lowering efficacy of Cuban sugar cane policosanols in hypercholesterolemic persons. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2006; 84(5): 1003 - 1008. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]