The biologically active isomers of conjugated linoleic acid.

Numerous physiological effects are attributed to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The purpose of this presentation is to consider these effects with respect to the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers. We review previously published data and present new findings that relate to underlying biochemical mechanisms of action. Both isomers are natural products. The cis-9,trans-11 isomer is the principal dietary form of CLA, but the concentrations of this isomer and the trans-10,cis-12 isomer in dairy products or beef vary depending on the diet fed to cows or steers, respectively. The trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomer exerts specific effects on adipocytes, in particular reducing the uptake of lipid by inhibiting the activities of lipoprotein lipase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase. The trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomer also affects lipid metabolism in cultured Hep-G2 human liver cells, whereas both the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers appear to be active in inhibiting carcinogenesis in animal models. We present new findings indicating that the cis-9,trans-11 CLA isomer enhances growth and probably feed efficiency in young rodents. Accordingly, the effects of CLA on body composition (induced by trans-10,cis-12 CLA) and growth/feed efficiency (induced by cis-9,trans-11 CLA) appear to be due to separate biochemical mechanisms. We also show that a 19-carbon CLA cognate (conjugated nonadecadienoic acid, CNA) inhibits lipoprotein lipase activity as effectively as CLA in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Presumably, CNA is metabolized differently than the 18-carbon CLA isomers, so this finding indicates direct activity of the administered compound as opposed to acting via a metabolite.     

Structure-activity relationship of conjugated linoleic acid and its cognates in inhibiting heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase and glycerol release from fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces body fat in part by inhibiting the activity of heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase (HR-LPL) activity in adipocytes, an effect that is induced by the trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomer. In this study we used a series of compounds that are structurally related to CLA (i.e., CLA cognates) to investigate the structural basis for this phenomenon. None of the 18:1 CLA cognates that were tested, nor trans-9,cis-12 18:2, cis-12-octadecen-10-ynoic acid (10y,cis-12) or 11-(2'-(n-pentyl)phenyl)-10-undecylenic acid (designated P-t10), exhibited any significant effect on HR-LPL activity. Among the CLA derivatives (alcohol, amide, and chloride) that were tested, only the alcohol form inhibited HR-LPL activity, although to a lesser extent than CLA itself. In addition, intracellular TG was reduced only by trans-10,cis-12 CLA and the alcohol form of CLA. Hence it appears that the trans-10,cis-12 conjugated double bond in conjunction with a carboxyl group at C-1 is required for inhibition of HR-LPL activity, and that an alcohol group can partially substitute for the carboxyl group. We also studied glycerol release from the cells, observing that this was enhanced by trans-10 18:1, trans-13 18:1, cis-12 18:1, cis-13 18:1, P-t10 but was reduced by cis-9 18:1, the alcohol and amide forms of CLA or 10y,cis-12. Accordingly the structural feature or features involved in regulating lipolysis appear to be more complex. Despite enhancing lipolysis in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes, trans-10 18:1 did not reduce body fat gain when fed to mice.     

Inhibition of stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity by the cis-9,trans-11 isomer and the trans-10,cis-12 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a collective term for a group of positional and geometric conjugated dienoic isomers of linoleic acid. CLA has been shown to have strong inhibitory effects on mammary carcinogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we investigated the regulation of human stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD, EC 1.14.99.5) expression by CLA in human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Treatment of the cells with the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers (45 microM) did not repress SCD mRNA in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. However, the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers significantly decreased SCD protein levels and SCD activity in MDA-MB-231 cells. In MCF-7 cells, both isomers did not affect protein levels, but they inhibited SCD activity. These results suggest that in MDA-MB-231 cells the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers regulate human SCD by reducing SCD protein levels, while in MCF-7 cells both isomers have a direct inhibitory effect on SCD enzyme activity.     

Trans-10, cis-12, but not cis-9, trans-11 CLA isomer,inhibits brown adipocyte thermogenic capacity

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is reported to have health benefits, including reduction of body fat. Previous studies have shown that brown adipose tissue (BAT) is particularly sensitive to CLA-supplemented diet feeding. Most of them use mixtures containing several CLA isomers, mainly cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 in equal concentration. Our aim was to characterize the separate effects of both CLA isomers on thermogenic capacity in cultured brown adipocytes. The CLA isomers showed opposite effects. Hence, on the one hand, trans-10, cis-12 inhibited uncoupling protein (UCP) 1 induction by norepinephrine (NE) and produced a decrease in leptin mRNA levels. These effects were associated with a blockage of CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein-alpha and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma(2) mRNA expression. On the other hand, cis-9, trans-11 enhanced the UCP1 elicited by NE, an effect reported earlier for polyunsaturated fatty acids and also observed here for linoleic acid. These findings could explain, at least in part, the effects observed in vivo when feeding a CLA mixture supplemented diet as a result of the combined action of CLA isomers (reduction of adipogenesis and defective BAT thermogenesis that could be through trans-10, cis-12 and enhanced UCP1 thermogenic capacity through cis-9, trans-11).     

Evidence that the anti-obesity effect of conjugated linoleic acid is independent of effects on stearoyl-CoA desaturase1 expression and enzyme activity

The trans-10,cis-12 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces body fat gain in animals and inhibits stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. To test whether CLA's body fat reduction is mediated by SCD1, wild-type and SCD1-null mice were fed diet supplemented with 0.2% trans-10,cis-12 (t10c12) CLA for 4 weeks. The t10c12 CLA-supplemented diet significantly reduced body fat mass in both wild type and SCD1-null mice. Similarly, t10c12 CLA diet decreased blood triglyceride and free fatty acid levels regardless of SCD1 genotypes. Mice fed t10c12 CLA exhibited increased mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase and uncoupling protein 2 in both genotypes. Taken together, the effects of t10c12 CLA on reduction of body fat gain, blood parameters, and mRNA expression in both SCD1-null mice and wild-type mice were similar, indicating that the anti-obesity effect of t10c12 CLA may be independent of the effects of this CLA isomer on SCD1 gene expression and enzyme activity.     

CLA differently regulates adipogenesis in stromal vascular cells from porcine subcutaneous adipose and skeletal muscle

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a mixture of isomers of linoleic acid, has previously been shown to be able to decrease porcine subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissue levels while increasing the count of intramuscular (IM) adipose tissue in vivo. However, the underlying mechanisms through which it acts are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the different effects of CLA on adipogenesis in cultured SC adipose tissue and IM stromal vascular cells obtained from neonatal pigs. As shown here, trans-10, cis-12 CLA decreased the expression of adipocyte-specific genes as well as adipose precursor cell numbers and the accumulation of lipid in cultured SC adipose tissue stromal vascular cells. However, the cis-9, trans-11 CLA did not alter adipogenesis in SC cultures. On the other hand, both CLA isomers increased the expression of adipocyte-specific genes in IM cultures, together with the increasing accumulation of lipid and Oil Red O-stained cells. Collectively, these data show that CLA decreases SC adipose tissue but increases IM adipose tissue by different regulation of adipocyte-specific gene expression. These results suggest that adipogenesis in IM adipocytes differs from that in SC adipocytes.     

Conjugated linoleic acids promote human fat cell apoptosis.

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) are conjugated dienoic isomers of linoleic acid. Some isomers have been shown to reduce fat mass in animal and cell culture models. However, controversial results were obtained in studies of supplementation of CLAs in human subjects. In order to get more insights into the direct effects of CLAs on human fat cells, we have studied the influence of cis-9, trans-11 CLA and trans-10, cis-12 CLA on the biology of human SGBS preadipocytes and adipocytes. Both CLA isomers equally inhibited the proliferation of preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Continuous treatment with 1-10 microM trans-10, cis-12 CLA, and to a weaker extent cis-9, trans-11 CLA, inhibited accumulation of lipids during adipogenic differentiation. Treatment with higher doses of CLA induced apoptosis in preadipocytes, in differentiating cells, and adipocytes. The trans-10, cis-12 isomer had a higher apoptotic potency in adipocytes than cis-9, trans-11 CLA. Taken together, the treatment of human preadipocytes and adipocytes with physiological relevant concentrations of CLAs resulted in an impairment of proliferation and differentiation and induction of apoptosis. The trans-10, cis-12 isomer was more potent than the cis-9, trans-11 isomer. Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the effects of CLAs on human fat mass and metabolism in vivo.     

Effects of conjugated linoleic acid isomers on monocyte, macrophage and foam cell phenotype in atherosclerosis

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a generic term denoting a group of naturally occurring isomers of linoleic acid (18:2, n6) that differ in the position or geometry (i.e. cis or trans) of their double bonds. The predominant isomers in ruminant fats are cis-9,trans-11 CLA (c9,t11-CLA), and trans-10,cis-12 CLA (t10,c12-CLA). The biological activities of CLA have received considerable attention because of its protective effects in cancer, immune function, obesity and atherosclerosis. Importantly, dietary administration of a blend of the two most abundant isomers of CLA, has been shown to inhibit the progression and induce the regression of pre-established atherosclerosis in the ApoE?/? murine model. Studies investigating the mechanisms involved in CLA induced protective effects are continually emerging with results from both in vitro and in vivo models yielding confounding and often inconsistent results depending on both the isomer of CLA and the species under investigation. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively discuss the effects of CLA on monocyte/macrophage function in atherosclerosis. This review also discusses the possible mechanisms through which CLA mediates its atheroprotective effects with a particular emphasis on the migratory capacity of the monocyte and the inflammatory and cholesterol homeostasis of the macrophage.     

The enrichment of a ruminal bacterium (Megasphaera elsdenii YJ-4) that produces the trans-10, cis-12 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid

AIMS: To isolate predominant ruminal bacteria that produce trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) from linoleic acid (LA). METHODS AND RESULTS: Mixed bacteria from ruminal contents of a cow fed grain were enriched with DL-lactate and trypticase. They produced more trans-10, cis-12 CLA than those that were not enriched (7 vs 2 microg mg protein(-1), P < 0.05). Enrichments had an abundance of large cocci that produced trans-10, cis-12 CLA from LA. Strain YJ-4 produced the most trans-10, cis-12 CLA (approx. 7 microg mg protein(-1)) and 16S rDNA sequencing indicated that YJ-4 was a strain of Megasphaera elsdenii. Megasphaera elsdenii T81 produced approx. 4 microg trans-10, cis-12 CLA mg protein(-1) while strains B159, AW106 and JL1 produced < 0.5 microg mg protein(-1). The trans-10, cis-12 CLA production of YJ-4 was first order with respect to cell concentration (0-800 microg protein ml(-1)), but kinetics were not first order with respect to substrate concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Some M. elsdenii strains produce significant amounts of trans-10, cis-12 CLA. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Trans-10, cis-12 CLA appears to cause milk fat depression in cattle fed diets supplemented with grain and polyunsaturated fatty acids, but predominant ruminal bacteria that produced trans-10, cis-12 CLA from LA had not previously been isolated.     

Inhibition of hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity by trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid and its derivatives

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been reported to decrease stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) activity by decreasing mRNA expression. This investigation was designed to determine whether structurally related compounds of CLA have a direct inhibitory effect on SCD activity. Trans-10,cis-12 CLA had strong inhibitory activity on SCD while cis-9,trans-11, and trans-9,trans-11 isomers had no effect. Trans-10 octadecenoate was not inhibitory, whereas cis-12 octadecenate was inhibitory, but not as effective as trans-10,cis-12 CLA. Of the oxygenated derivatives, 9-peroxy-cis/trans-10, trans-12 octadecadienoate was a more effective inhibitor than trans-10,cis-12 CLA, whereas 9-hydroxy-trans-10, cis-12 octadecadienoate was less effective. Interestingly, cis-11 octadecadienoate and cis-12 octadecen-10-ynoate were slightly inhibitory. However, trans-9 and trans-11 octadecenoates, and trans-9,cis-12 octadecadienoate were all inactive under test condition, as were linoleate, oleate, and arachidonate. Derivatives of CLA acid modified to alcohol, amide or chloride were all inactive. A cis-12 double bond appears to be a key structural feature for inhibiting SCD activity, especially when coupled with a trans-10 double, whereas a cis-11 double bond is less effective.     

Association of liver steatosis with lipid oversecretion and hypotriglyceridaemia in C57BL/6j mice fed trans-10,cis-12-linoleic acid

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) have recently been recognized to reduce body fat and plasma lipids in some animals. This study demonstrated that the steatosis accompanying the fat loss induced by trans-10,cis-12-C(18:2) (CLA2) and not cis-9,trans-11-C(18:2) (CLA1) isomer in C57BL/6j mice was not due to an alteration of the liver lipoprotein production that was even increased. The 3-fold decrease in plasma triacylglycerol contents and the induction of mRNA expression of low-density lipoprotein receptors concomitantly observed in CLA2-fed mice suggested an increase in the lipoprotein clearance at the level of the liver itself. CLA1 feeding produced similar but attenuated effects on triglyceridaemia only.     

Effect of conjugated linoleic acid isomers on lipoproteins and atherosclerosis in the Syrian Golden hamster

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid (LA, C18:2 cis-9, cis-12) that are reported to have important biological activities, including protection against atherosclerosis. In this study, the potential role of the individual cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 isomers of CLA in atherogenesis were compared with LA in the Syrian Golden hamster. Supplementation of a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HFHC) with 1% (w/w) cis-9, trans-11 CLA or trans-10, cis-12 CLA did not significantly affect plasma cholesterol levels compared to supplementation with 1% (w/w) LA. Very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) was lower and plasma triglycerides (TG) were higher in diets where C18:2 fatty acid was added to the HFHC diet, but neither the cis-9, trans-11 CLA group nor trans-10, cis-12 CLA group was significantly different from the LA control group. CLA supplementation did not significantly affect low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Trans-10, cis-12 CLA increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels compared to LA or cis-9, trans-11 CLA (P<0.02), and although the ratio of non-HDL-C:HDL-C in the cis-9, trans-11 CLA group (1.11+/-0.54) and the trans-10, cis-12 CLA group (1.11+/-0.21) was lower than the LA group (1.29+/-0.45), the reduction did not reach statistical significance. Atherosclerosis was assessed in the ascending aorta by measuring the number of aortic cross-sections containing Oil Red O-stained intimal lesions. Compared to the LA group (60+/-11%), both the cis-9, trans-11 CLA group (38+/-8%) and the trans-10, cis-12 CLA group (28+/-7%) had fewer sections displaying a fatty streak lesion, although the differences did not reach statistical significance. These results suggest that individual CLA isomers may reduce atherosclerotic lesion development in the hamster, but when compared to LA, the apparent atheroprotective effects do not correlate with beneficial changes in lipoprotein profile.     

Detection of conjugated dienoic fatty acids in human vascular smooth muscle cells treated with conjugated linoleic acid

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) have attracted scientific interest due to their potential beneficial effects on atherosclerosis. Recent studies demonstrated that conjugated metabolites of CLA are found in tissues of CLA-fed animals and cultured cells treated with CLA. This observation has gained in importance since it has recently been shown that these metabolites of CLA exert specific biological activities. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the potential formation of metabolites of cis-9, trans-11 CLA, trans-10, cis-12 CLA and trans-9, trans-11 CLA in cells of the vascular wall, which has not yet been shown. Examination of fatty acid composition of total cell lipids using Ag+-HPLC, GC-FID and GC-MS analysis revealed a significant isomer-specific formation of conjugated metabolites of CLA such as CD16:2, CD20:2 and CD22:2 in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells treated with various CLA isomers. Different CD16:2/CLA ratios between various CLA isomers as observed in the present study indicate that fatty acid metabolism is differently affected by the configuration of the double bonds. In conclusion, the observation from the present study suggests that the effects of CLA in vascular cells might not only be mediated by CLA itself but also by its conjugated metabolites. Future studies using highly purified conjugated metabolites of CLA are necessary to study their role in mediating biological effects of CLA in cell culture systems.     

The role of Delta(9)-desaturase in the production of cis-9, trans-11 CLA

Biomedical studies with animal models have demonstrated that cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), the predominant isomer found in milk fat from dairy cows, has anticarcinogenic effects. We recently demonstrated endogenous synthesis of cis-9, trans-11 CLA from ruminally derived trans-11 C18:1 by Delta(9)-desaturase in lactating dairy cows. The present study further examined endogenous synthesis of cis-9, trans-11 CLA and quantified its importance by increasing substrate supply using partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (PHVO) as a source of trans-11 C18:1 and blocking endogenous synthesis using sterculic oil (SO) as a source of cyclopropene fatty acids which specifically inhibit Delta(9)-desaturase. Four cows were abomasally infused with 1) control, 2) PHVO, 3) SO, and 4) PHVO+SO in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. With infusion of PHVO, cis-9, trans-11 CLA was increased by 17% in milk fat. Consistent with inhibition of desaturase, SO treatments increased milk fat ratios for the fatty acid pairs effected by Delta(9)-desaturase, C14:0/cis-9 C14:1, C16:0/cis-9 C16:1, and C18:0/cis-9 C18:1. The role of endogenous synthesis of CLA was evident from the 60-65% reduction in cis-9, trans-11 CLA which occurred in milk fat with SO treatments. cis-9 C14:1 originates from desaturation of C14:0 by Delta(9)-desaturase and can be used to estimate the extent of SO inhibition of Delta(9)-desaturase. When this correction factor was applied, endogenous synthesis was estimated to account for 78% of the total cis-9, trans-11 CLA in milk fat. Thus, endogenous synthesis was the major source of cis-9, trans-11 CLA in milk fat of lactating cows.     

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid does not adversely affect bone mass in obese fa/fa or lean Zucker rats

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) elevates body ash in healthy animals. The objective of the present study was to determine if single or mixed CLA isomers improve bone mass in an obese and hyperinsulinemic state. Male (n = 120) lean and obese fa/fa Zucker rats (age, 6 weeks) were randomized to 8 weeks on a control diet or to 0.4% (w/w) cis-9, trans-11 CLA (Group 1); 0.4% (w/w) trans-10, cis-12 CLA (Group 2); 0.4% (w/w) cis-9, trans-11 CLA and 0.4% (w/w) trans-10, cis-12 CLA (Group 3); 0.4% (w/w) cis-9, trans-11 CLA, 0.4% (w/w) trans-10, cis-12 CLA, and traces of other CLA isomers (Group 4); and 0.4% (w/w) cis-9, trans-11 CLA, 0.4% (w/w) trans-10, cis-12 CLA, and 0.3% (w/w) other CLA isomers (Group 5). Bone area (BA), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone mineral density (BMD) of the whole body, spine, and femur were measured at baseline (6 weeks) and at 14 weeks of age. Effects of genotype, diet, and genotype x diet interactions were assessed using factorial analysis of variance. At 6 and 14 weeks, whole-body BA and BMC were lower in lean rats compared with fa/fa rats. Similarly, at 14 weeks, fa/fa rats had a higher spine and femur BMD despite a lower femur weight. The fa/fa rats in Groups 4 and 5 had higher adjusted whole-body BMC compared with Group 3, but not with Group 1, Group 2, or the control. In lean rats, Group 3 had a greater adjusted whole-body BMC than Groups 1 and 2, but not Group 4, Group 5, or the control. Thus, commercially available CLA mixtures and single CLA isomers do not affect bone mass in a hyperinsulinemic, obese state.     

Conjugated linoleic acid induces human adipocyte delipidation: autocrine/paracrine regulation of MEK/ERK signaling by adipocytokines

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces body fat in animals and some humans. Here we show that trans-10, cis-12 CLA, but not cis-9, trans-11 CLA, when added to cultures of stromal vascular cells containing newly differentiated human adipocytes, caused a time-dependent decrease in triglyceride content, insulin-stimulated glucose and fatty acid uptake, incorporation into lipid, and oxidation compared with controls. In parallel, gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma and many of its downstream targets were diminished by trans-10, cis-12 CLA, whereas leptin gene expression was increased. Prior to changes in gene expression and metabolism, trans-10, cis-12 CLA caused a robust and sustained activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-related kinase (MEK/ERK) signaling. Furthermore, the trans-10, cis-12 CLA-mediated activation of MEK/ERK could be attenuated by pretreatment with U0126 and pertussis toxin. In parallel, pretreatment with U0126 blocked the ability of trans-10, cis-12 CLA to alter gene expression and attenuate glucose and fatty acid uptake of the cultures. Intriguingly, the induction by CLA of MEK/ERK signaling was linked to hypersecretion of adipocytokines interleukin-6 and interleukin-8. Collectively, these data demonstrate for the first time that trans-10, cis-12 CLA decreases the triglyceride content of newly differentiated human adipocytes by inducing MEK/ERK signaling through the autocrine/paracrine actions of interleukins-6 and 8.     

CLA isomers inhibit TNFalpha-induced eicosanoid release from human vascular smooth muscle cells via a PPARgamma ligand-like action

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) were reported to have anti-atherogenic properties in animal feeding experiments. In an attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of these anti-atherogenic effects, the modulatory potential of CLA on cytokine-induced eicosanoid production from smooth muscle cells (SMCs), which contributes to the chronic inflammatory response associated with atherosclerosis, has been investigated in the present study. cis-9, trans-11 CLA and trans-10, cis-12 CLA were shown to reduce proportions of the eicosanoid precursor arachidonic acid in SMC total lipids and to inhibit cytokine-induced NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity, mRNA levels of inducible enzymes involved in eicosanoid formation (cPLA2, COX-2, mPGES), and the production of the prostaglandins PGE2 and PGI2 by TNFalpha-stimulated SMCs in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of 50 micromol/L of either CLA isomer was as effective as 10 micromol/L of the PPARgamma agonist troglitazone in terms of inhibiting the TNFalpha-stimulated eicosanoid production by SMCs. PPARgamma DNA-binding activity was increased by both CLA isomers compared to control cells. Moreover, it was shown that the PPARgamma antagonist T0070907 partially abrogated the inhibitory action of CLA isomers on cytokine-induced eicosanoid production and NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity by vascular SMCs suggesting that PPARgamma signalling is at least partially involved in the action of CLA in human vascular SMCs. With respect to the effects of CLA on experimental atherosclerosis, our findings suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of CLA is at least partially responsible for the anti-atherogenic effects of CLA observed in vivo.