HDL biology
Trans-elaidic acid increases CETP-mediated cholesteryl ester transfer while cis-oleic acid inhibits it at high concentration (Biochim Biophys Acta 1992)
Original title: Differential effects of cis and trans fatty acid isomers, oleic and elaidic acids, on the cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity
Building on earlier work showing saturated and cis unsaturated fatty acids modulate CETP-mediated cholesteryl ester transfer from HDL to LDL, this study compared the cis isomer oleic acid with its trans isomer elaidic acid. Mixtures of human LDL and HDL3, with or without radiolabeled cholesteryl esters, were incubated with CETP in the presence or absence of stearic, oleic, or elaidic acid. Oleic acid and elaidic acid had different effects on both the CETP-mediated redistribution of radiolabeled cholesteryl esters and the net mass transfer of cholesterol from HDL3 to LDL. At a high nonesterified fatty acid to lipoprotein ratio, the cis isomer oleic acid significantly inhibited cholesteryl ester transfer while the trans isomer elaidic acid increased it.
Original abstract
In a previous publication (Lagrost, L. and Barter, P.J. (1991) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1085, 209-216), saturated and cis unsaturated non-esterified fatty acids have been shown to modulate the rate at which cholesteryl esters are transferred from high-density lipoproteins (HDL) to low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the presence of the human cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). In the present report, the effects of cis (oleic acid) and trans (elaidic acid) monounsaturated isomers on the CETP-mediated transfer of cholesteryl esters between HDL and LDL were compared. Mixtures of human LDL and HDL3, containing or not radiolabelled cholesteryl esters, were incubated at 37 degrees C with CETP in the presence or in the absence of either stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1 cis) or elaidic (18:1 trans) acids. It was observed that oleic acid and elaidic acid had different effects on the CETP-mediated redistribution of radiolabelled cholesteryl esters as well as on the net mass transfer of cholesterol from HDL3 to LDL. In particular, at high non-esterified fatty acid/lipoprotein ratio, the transfer of cholesteryl esters was significantly inhibited by the cis isomer and increased by the trans isomer.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.