Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of positional and geometric isomers of the essential omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid, found naturally in the meat and milk of ruminant animals [13, 16]. It is widely investigated as a dietary supplement for its potential to reduce body fat mass and increase lean muscle, although human clinical results have been inconsistent compared to robust animal models [6, 11]. At the molecular level, CLA serves as a ligand for various nuclear receptors, most notably the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR-alpha, PPAR-gamma, and PPAR-delta), which are key regulators of lipid and glucose metabolism [4, 9, 19]. Additionally, CLA has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties by modulating the expression of genes such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducing apoptosis in cancer cell lines [1, 15, 18]. However, its therapeutic profile is complicated by isomer-specific effects, with the trans-10, cis-12 isomer specifically associated with adverse metabolic outcomes such as the development of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia in some populations [2, 14, 17].

Other names

Rumenic acid9,11-Octadecadienoic acid10,12-Octadecadienoic acidCLAs

Modulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR-alpha, PPAR-gamma, and PPAR-delta) and activation of G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120/FFAR4)