Relationship between saturated fatty acid intake and hypertension and oxidative stress

Abstract Objectives This study investigated the relationship between saturated fatty acid (SFA) intake and hypertension and oxidative stress. Methods The present cross-sectional study was conducted among the residents of Shika town, a rural area in Japan, using health examination data received between March 2014 and January 2016. Dietary intake was measured using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. Urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels were used to assess oxidative stress and were measured with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. We defined hypertension as the use of antihypertensive medication and/or blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher, and elderly as subjects aged 65 years or older. Results Subjects comprised 585 Japanese individuals aged 40 years and older. The prevalence of hypertension was 54.2%. SFA intake was lower in hypertensive subjects and this relationship was significantly stronger for elderly subjects. A multiple logistic regression analysis after adjustments for various confounding factors revealed that SFA intake, such as total SFA, C8:0, C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C17:0, C18:0, C20:0, and C22:0, was inversely related to hypertension in elderly subjects. It also showed that lower urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels correlated with a high intake of SFA, C4:0, C6:0, C8:0, C10:0, and C12:0. Conclusions Our results support a relationship existing between SFA intake and hypertension and oxidative stress, and suggest that the regular consumption of SFA contributes to the prevention and treatment of hypertension in elderly patients.