Metabolic Effects of Linoleic Acid-Rich Oil Compared to a Blend Oil in Adults With Insulin Resistance
NCT ID: NCT07287514
Last Updated: 2025-12-17
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.
RECRUITING
NA
120 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2025-05-13
2026-12-31
Brief Summary
Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the metabolic effects of an LA-rich oil compared with a blended oil in adults with insulin resistance. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a daily supplement of LA-rich oil or a control blend oil for 8 weeks, while maintaining their usual diet and lifestyle. The primary outcome is the change in insulin resistance, assessed by the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Secondary outcomes include changes in fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, and body composition.
The study is designed as a single-blind, parallel-group intervention conducted at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. The results are expected to clarify the effects of increased dietary linoleic acid intake on insulin sensitivity and metabolic risk factors, contributing to the ongoing debate about the role of omega-6 fatty acids in cardiometabolic health.
Detailed Description
Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A healthy diet may help reduce the risk of these conditions by modulating the availability of nutrients and metabolites. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood and may even lead to misconceptions.
A common example is the widespread belief that a high intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is harmful to health. Without strong scientific support, some have advocated limiting dietary linoleic acid (LA)-the predominant PUFA in human diets-under the assumption that it competes biochemically with omega-3 fatty acids, thereby reducing their beneficial effects. Nevertheless, meta-analyses of prospective cohort studies have shown that higher LA intake or circulating levels are associated with lower total and LDL cholesterol, reduced cardiovascular disease risk, and a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes. These findings highlight the need to reassess the biological effects of LA and its potential role in metabolic regulation. To support evidence-based dietary recommendations promoting LA intake, well-controlled intervention studies are needed to better understand its cardiometabolic effects.
Hypothesis
Elevated blood levels of linoleic acid (LA), in response to increased dietary intake, confer cardiometabolic benefits beyond lipid-lowering effects, improving insulin sensitivity and reducing cardiovascular risk in individuals with cardiometabolic risk conditions.
Objectives
The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of a short-term intervention with an LA-enriched oil on insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis in adults with insulin resistance.
Secondary objectives include assessing the impact of the intervention on lipid profile, circulating fatty acid composition, inflammatory status, hepatic enzymes, oxidative stress markers, and estimated cardiovascular risk in Chilean adults with insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk conditions.
Experimental Design
This study is a randomized, single-blind, controlled, parallel-group clinical trial conducted at the Clinical Research Center (CICUC) of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Eligible adults with insulin resistance will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a linoleic acid-rich oil or a blend oil for 8 weeks at a dose of 0.4 mL per kilogram of body weight per day. Fasting blood samples will be collected at baseline and at 8 weeks to assess insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid profile, circulating fatty acid composition, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers (AOPP, oxidized LDL), and hepatic enzymes. Anthropometric and clinical parameters will also be recorded following standardized protocols.
Conditions
See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.
Keywords
Explore important study keywords that can help with search, categorization, and topic discovery.
Study Design
Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.
RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
1. an intervention group receiving a linoleic acid-rich oil, or
2. a control group receiving a blended oil. The study follows a single-blind, parallel-group design lasting 8 weeks.
TREATMENT
SINGLE
Study Groups
Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.
Linoleic Acid-Rich Oil
Participants in this group will receive a daily supplement of a linoleic acid (LA)-rich oil at a dose of 0.4 mL per kilogram of body weight per day for 8 weeks.
Linoleic Acid-Rich Oil
Participants in the experimental group will receive a daily supplement of a linoleic acid (LA)-rich oil at a dose of 0.4 mL per kilogram of body weight per day, taken orally for 8 weeks. The oil is characterized by a high content of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid (\~60%).
To facilitate adherence and appropriate use, participants will receive a recipe booklet encouraging the use of the oil in cold or minimally cooked preparations, or as a topping over foods. They will be instructed to avoid prolonged heating and to store the oil protected from light and at room temperature.
The supplement will be provided in identical coded bottles to maintain single-blind conditions. Participants will be asked to maintain their usual diet and lifestyle throughout the intervention.
Blend Oil
Participants in this group will receive a daily supplement of a blend oil at 0.4 mL per kilogram of body weight per day for 8 weeks.
Blend Oil
Participants in the control group will receive a daily supplement of a blend oil at a dose of 0.4 mL per kilogram of body weight per day, taken orally for 8 weeks. The blend was formulated to contain approximately equal proportions of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, with less than half the linoleic acid content of the LA-rich oil.
Participants will receive a recipe booklet promoting the use of the oil in cold dishes or lightly cooked preparations, or as a dressing or drizzle over meals. They will also be instructed on proper storage away from heat and direct light.
The supplement will be supplied in identical coded bottles to ensure blinding. Participants will maintain their usual diet and lifestyle during the intervention.
Interventions
Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.
Linoleic Acid-Rich Oil
Participants in the experimental group will receive a daily supplement of a linoleic acid (LA)-rich oil at a dose of 0.4 mL per kilogram of body weight per day, taken orally for 8 weeks. The oil is characterized by a high content of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid (\~60%).
To facilitate adherence and appropriate use, participants will receive a recipe booklet encouraging the use of the oil in cold or minimally cooked preparations, or as a topping over foods. They will be instructed to avoid prolonged heating and to store the oil protected from light and at room temperature.
The supplement will be provided in identical coded bottles to maintain single-blind conditions. Participants will be asked to maintain their usual diet and lifestyle throughout the intervention.
Blend Oil
Participants in the control group will receive a daily supplement of a blend oil at a dose of 0.4 mL per kilogram of body weight per day, taken orally for 8 weeks. The blend was formulated to contain approximately equal proportions of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, with less than half the linoleic acid content of the LA-rich oil.
Participants will receive a recipe booklet promoting the use of the oil in cold dishes or lightly cooked preparations, or as a dressing or drizzle over meals. They will also be instructed on proper storage away from heat and direct light.
The supplement will be supplied in identical coded bottles to ensure blinding. Participants will maintain their usual diet and lifestyle during the intervention.
Eligibility Criteria
Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.
Inclusion Criteria
* Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR \> 2.6).
* At least one cardiometabolic risk factor: abdominal obesity (waist circumference \> 90 cm in men or \> 80 cm in women); low HDL-cholesterol (\< 40 mg/dL in men or \< 50 mg/dL in women); elevated LDL-cholesterol (\> 70 / 100 / 130 mg/dL, according to estimated cardiovascular risk); or elevated blood pressure (≥ 130/85 mmHg).
Exclusion Criteria
* Severe psychiatric illness.
* Malabsorption disorders or previous bariatric surgery.
* Pregnancy or lactation.
* Previous clinical cardiovascular disease.
* Regular use of medications that could influence study outcomes, including:
lipid-lowering agents insulin sensitizers antihypertensive drugs anticoagulants antiretroviral therapy thyroid hormones oral corticosteroids immunosuppressants polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplements.
* Fasting serum triglycerides ≥ 500 mg/dL or LDL-cholesterol ≥ 190 mg/dL.
* Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m².
* Very high blood pressure.
* Any additional condition that may limit adherence to the study.
20 Years
60 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
OTHER
Responsible Party
Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.
Loni Berkowitz Fiebich
Assistant Professor
Principal Investigators
Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.
Loni Berkowitz, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
Locations
Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.
Centro de Investigaciones Clínicas UC (CICUC) - Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile
Countries
Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.
Central Contacts
Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.
Facility Contacts
Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.
Loni Berkowitz, PhD
Role: primary
References
Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.
Berkowitz L, Echeverria G, Salazar C, Faundez C, Coe CL, Ryff C, Rigotti A. Lipidomic Signature of Healthy Diet Adherence and Its Association with Cardiometabolic Risk in American Adults. Nutrients. 2024 Nov 22;16(23):3995. doi: 10.3390/nu16233995.
Berkowitz L, Razquin C, Salazar C, Biancardi F, Estruch R, Ros E, Fito M, Corella D, Coe CL, Ryff CD, Ruiz-Canela M, Salas-Salvado J, Wang D, Hu FB, Deik A, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Rigotti A. Sphingolipid profiling as a biomarker of type 2 diabetes risk: evidence from the MIDUS and PREDIMED studies. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2024 Dec 18;23(1):446. doi: 10.1186/s12933-024-02505-7.
Berkowitz L, Mateo C, Salazar C, Samith B, Sara D, Pinto V, Martinez X, Calzada M, von Schultzendorff A, Pedrals N, Bitran M, Echeverria G, Ruini C, Ryff C, Rigotti A. Healthy Eating as Potential Mediator of Inverse Association between Purpose in Life and Waist Circumference: Emerging Evidence from US and Chilean Cohorts. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Nov 23;20(23):7099. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20237099.
Calderon M, Plaza G, Gomez M, Samith B, Pinto V, Martinez X, Sara D, Echeverria G, Calzada M, Berkowitz L, von Schultzendorff A, Pedrals N, Bitran M, Rigotti AG. [Limitations and opportunities for the appropriation of the Mediterranean diet in Chilean adults with diagnostic elements of metabolic syndrome]. Nutr Hosp. 2024 Feb 15;41(1):86-95. doi: 10.20960/nh.04652. Spanish.
Echeverria G, Samith B, von Schultzendorf A, Pinto V, Martinez X, Sara D, Calzada M, Pacheco J, Plaza G, Scott F, Romero J, Mateo C, Julio MV, Utreras-Mendoza Y, Binder MV, Gutierrez F, Riquelme ME, Cuevas M, Willatt R, Sanchez O, Keilendt A, Butron P, Jarufe A, Huete I, Tobar J, Martin S, Alfaro V, Olivos M, Pedrals N, Bitran M, Avalos I, Ruini C, Ryff C, Perez D, Berkowitz L, Rigotti A. Mediterranean diet and psychological well-being intervention to reverse metabolic syndrome in Chile (CHILEMED trial). Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2023 Jun 26;35:101167. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2023.101167. eCollection 2023 Oct.
Other Identifiers
Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.
230330018
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
11240454
Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT
Identifier Source: secondary_id