ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Nutr.
Sec. Nutrition and Metabolism
Serum α‑linolenic acid, not intake, associates with reduced arterial stiffness assessed by brachial‑ankle pulse wave velocity: an exploratory post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Provisionally accepted
- 1Strategic Invention R&D, The Nisshin OiiliO Group, Ltd., Yokohama, Japan
- 2Kato Clinic, Komae, Japan
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Introduction: Our previous study showed that α-linolenic acid (ALA) intake was associated with a reduction in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in healthy middle-aged Japanese women. However, it remains unclear whether this effect depends on the ingested ALA itself or its metabolites. This study aimed to clarify two points: first, whether there is a relationship between ALA intake and serum n-3 fatty acid concentrations; and second, whether ALA intake or serum concentrations of n-3/n-6 fatty acids are related to the previously reported effect of ALA on maintaining vascular flexibility. Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of a previously reported randomized controlled trial. Correlation analyses assessed the relationships between ALA intake and serum n-3 fatty acids. Associations of baPWV with n-3/n-6 fatty acid intake and serum concentrations were tested using an analysis of covariance-type linear model. Results: No significant correlation was found between ALA intake and serum n-3 fatty acid concentrations. Serum ALA correlated positively with serum docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) (p < 0.001, r = 0.444), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (p = 0.006, r = 0.292), and the sum of serum eicosapentaenoic acid, DPA, and DHA (p = 0.009, r = 0.275). ALA intake was not associated with baPWV, whereas serum ALA showed a significant negative association with baPWV (p = 0.027, regression coefficient: -2.45); serum arachidonic acid showed a significant positive association (p = 0.047, regression coefficient: 1.11). No associations were observed for other n-3/n-6 fatty acids. Discussion: This study suggests substantial inter-individual variation in the relationship between ALA intake and serum ALA concentration. Furthermore, it suggests that serum ALA concentration, rather than ALA intake, may be more closely associated with vascular stiffness, as assessed by baPWV. Clinical trial registration: https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno= R000060078, identifier: UMIN000052677.
Keywords: arterial stiffness, baPWV (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity), cardiovascular disease, lipid absorption, Lipid Metabolism, Omega-3 fatty Acids, Post hoc analysis, α-Linolenic acid
Received: 10 Nov 2025; Accepted: 21 Jan 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 Ando, Nosaka and Kato. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Nanaka Ando
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