College of Nursing Professor Receives Research Article of the Year Award
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 7, 2006) − Terry Lennie, associate
professor in the University of Kentucky College of
Nursing, received the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing 2006 Research Article of the Year
Award at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in Chicago.
The purpose of Lennie's study was to determine the effect of dietary fat on levels of proinflammatory cytokine markers (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF] and soluble TNF receptors) that are associated with poor prognosis in patients with heart failure. Results of the study showed that patients eating diets high in saturated and trans fats had significantly higher levels of proinflammatory markers in their blood than patients eating diets low in these fats. In contrast, patients eating diets high in beneficial omega-3 fats had significantly lower levels of inflammatory markers. The difference in the levels of inflammatory markers between groups was sufficient to impact survival.
Patients were recruited from three Midwestern heart failure clinics. They kept a detailed four-day food diary to record their food intake. On the morning after the fourth day, patients went to their clinic to have blood drawn and turn in their food diaries which were reviewed by experienced dieticians.
Lennie said that adjusting the type of dietary fat consumed, particularly decreasing saturated and trans fats while increasing omega-3 fats, may be a simple way for patients with heart failure to lower their proinflammatory cytokine levels and possibly improve their survival.
Saturated fats and trans fats are found in commercially prepared foods. Saturated fats are also found in meats. Both fats can cause an increase in low-density lipid (LDL) cholesterol. Trans fats have the added negative effect of decreasing the beneficial high-density lipid (HDL) cholesterol. Omega-3 fatty acids are found primarily in fatty fish but can also be taken as dietary supplements. They have been shown to lower cholesterol and decrease inflammation.
The Research Article of the Year Award, given by the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Blackwell Publishing, recognizes the importance of the written word in promoting the goals of the American Heart Association and cardiovascular nursing; encourages the dissemination of cardiovascular nursing science and applauds the author for clearly communicating the nursing perspective in the context of cardiovascular research, practice and theory.
Lennie's award winning paper, "Dietary fat intake and proinflammatory cytokine levels in patients with heart failure," can be found in the Journal of Cardiac Failure, volume 11, pages 613 to 618. Professor Debra Moser and Misook Chung, also from the UK College of Nursing, are co-authors on the paper.
The purpose of Lennie's study was to determine the effect of dietary fat on levels of proinflammatory cytokine markers (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF] and soluble TNF receptors) that are associated with poor prognosis in patients with heart failure. Results of the study showed that patients eating diets high in saturated and trans fats had significantly higher levels of proinflammatory markers in their blood than patients eating diets low in these fats. In contrast, patients eating diets high in beneficial omega-3 fats had significantly lower levels of inflammatory markers. The difference in the levels of inflammatory markers between groups was sufficient to impact survival.
Patients were recruited from three Midwestern heart failure clinics. They kept a detailed four-day food diary to record their food intake. On the morning after the fourth day, patients went to their clinic to have blood drawn and turn in their food diaries which were reviewed by experienced dieticians.
Lennie said that adjusting the type of dietary fat consumed, particularly decreasing saturated and trans fats while increasing omega-3 fats, may be a simple way for patients with heart failure to lower their proinflammatory cytokine levels and possibly improve their survival.
Saturated fats and trans fats are found in commercially prepared foods. Saturated fats are also found in meats. Both fats can cause an increase in low-density lipid (LDL) cholesterol. Trans fats have the added negative effect of decreasing the beneficial high-density lipid (HDL) cholesterol. Omega-3 fatty acids are found primarily in fatty fish but can also be taken as dietary supplements. They have been shown to lower cholesterol and decrease inflammation.
The Research Article of the Year Award, given by the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Blackwell Publishing, recognizes the importance of the written word in promoting the goals of the American Heart Association and cardiovascular nursing; encourages the dissemination of cardiovascular nursing science and applauds the author for clearly communicating the nursing perspective in the context of cardiovascular research, practice and theory.
Lennie's award winning paper, "Dietary fat intake and proinflammatory cytokine levels in patients with heart failure," can be found in the Journal of Cardiac Failure, volume 11, pages 613 to 618. Professor Debra Moser and Misook Chung, also from the UK College of Nursing, are co-authors on the paper.