No evidence of differential impact of sunflower and rapeseed oil on biomarkers of coronary artery disease or chronic kidney disease in healthy adults with overweight and obesity: result from a randomised control trial

PURPOSE: The perceived benefits and risks associated with seed oil intake remain controversial, with a limited number of studies investigating the impact of intake on a range of compounds used as cardiometabolic markers. This study aimed to explore the proteomic and cardiometabolic effects of commonly consumed seed oils in the UK, with different fatty acid profiles. METHODS: In a parallel randomised control design, healthy adults (n = 84), aged 25–72 with overweight or obesity were randomised to one of three groups: control (habitual diet, CON); 20 mL rapeseed oil per day (RO), or 20 mL sunflower oil per day (SO). Blood, spot urine and anthropometric measures were obtained at 0, 6 and 12 weeks. Proteomic biomarkers analysis was conducted for coronary arterial disease (CAD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) using capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry (CE-MS). Blood lipids, fasting blood glucose, glycative/oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were also analysed. RESULTS: No differences in change between time points were observed between groups for CAD or CKD peptide fingerprint scores. No change was detected within groups for CAD or CKD scores. No detectable differences were observed between groups at week 6 or 12 for the secondary outcomes, except median 8-isoprostane, ~ 50% higher in the SO group after 12-weeks compared to RO and CON groups (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The replacement of habitual fat with either RO or SO for 12 weeks does not lead to an improvement or worsening in cardiovascular health markers in people with overweight or obesity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov NCT04867629, retrospectively registered 30/04/2021. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00394-022-02810-5.