There was a significant heterogeneity for the impact of CLA  on CRP and IL-6 , but not TNF-α .
Conclusions This meta- analysis showed that CLA supplementation may increase inflammatory markers ( CRP and TNF-α ) .
Background / objectives Conjugated linoleic acid ( CLA ) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid with attractive biological activities .
Numerous studies have been conducted on the inflammation-lowering effects of CLA in in vitro and animal models .
However , the effects of CLA treatment on the inflammatory markers in humans are controversial .
Effect of conjugated linoleic acid and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in atherosclerotic patients
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity , mortality , and disability in Iranian people . Inflammation and oxidative processes are key components of cardiovascular disease . The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of conjugated linoleic acids ( CLA ) and omega-3 fatty acid ( ω-3 fatty acids ) supplementation on inflammation markers and oxidative stress in atherosclerotic patients . METHODS This study was a two-month clinical , r and omized trial . 90 volunteers who referred to Emam Reza Heart Clinic of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences ( Shiraz , Iran ) from February to March 2011 and had the inclusion criteria of this study were selected . Participants were classified into 3 groups receiving 3 g/d CLA , 1920 mg/d ω-3 , or placebo for 2 months . C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , malondialdehyde ( MDA ) , and glutathione peroxidase ( GPx ) were measured before and after supplementation . RESULTS The hs-CRP level decreased significantly in both the omega-3 and CLA group ( P < 0.05 ) . IL-6 reduced significantly in the ω-3 group , but the reduction of IL-6 levels in the CLA group was not significant . GPx increased in the CLA and omega-3 groups ( P < 0.05 ) . MDA level decreased significantly in both omega-3 and CLA groups ( P < 0.05 ) . Comparison between the groups indicates a significant change in CRP levels in the ω-3 group relative to the control group . However , other indices did not cause any significant change in the ω-3 and CLA groups in comparison to the control group . CONCLUSION Diet supplementation with CLA and ω-3 can have a beneficial effect on some indices of inflammatory and oxidative stress
There was a significant heterogeneity for the impact of CLA  on CRP and IL-6 , but not TNF-α .
Conclusions This meta- analysis showed that CLA supplementation may increase inflammatory markers ( CRP and TNF-α ) .
Background / objectives Conjugated linoleic acid ( CLA ) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid with attractive biological activities .
Numerous studies have been conducted on the inflammation-lowering effects of CLA in in vitro and animal models .
However , the effects of CLA treatment on the inflammatory markers in humans are controversial .