Endothelial dysfunction is a pro-inflammatory state characterized by chronic activation of the endothelium, which leads to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Intake of trans fatty acids (TFAs) is associated with an increased risk of CVD. This risk is usually associated with industrial TFAs (iTFAs) rather than ruminant TFAs (rTFAs); however it is not clear how specific TFA isomers differ in their biological activity and mechanisms of action with regard to inflammation. Here we review the literature on 18‑carbon TFAs, including the research associating their intake or levels with CVD and studies relating 18‑carbon TFA exposure to modulation of inflammatory processes. The evidence associating iTFAs with CVD risk factors is fairly consistent and studies in humans usually show a relation between iTFAs and higher levels of inflammatory markers. In contrast, studies in humans, animals and in vitro suggest that rTFAs have null or mildly beneficial effects in cardiovascular health, metabolic parameters and inflammatory markers, although the evidence is not always consistent. More studies are needed to better identify the beneficial and detrimental effects of the different TFAs, including those with 18 carbons.

内皮功能障碍是一种促炎状态，其特征在于内皮的慢性活化，这导致动脉粥样硬化和心血管疾病（CVD）。摄入反式脂肪酸（TFA）与CVD的风险增加有关。这种风险通常与工业TFA（iTFA）有关，而不与反刍动物TFA（rTFAs）有关；然而，尚不清楚特定的TFA异构体在炎症方面的生物学活性和作用机制有何不同。在这里，我们回顾有关18碳TFA的文献，包括将其摄入量或水平与CVD相关的研究，以及将18碳TFA暴露与炎症过程调节相关的研究。将iTFA与CVD危险因素相关联的证据是相当一致的，并且在人体中的研究通常显示iTFA与较高水平的炎症标志物之间存在关联。相比之下，在人类，动物和体外进行的研究表明，rTFA对心血管健康没有或有轻微的有益作用，代谢参数和炎症标志物，尽管证据并不总是一致的。需要进行更多的研究，以更好地确定不同TFA（包括18个碳原子的TFA）的有益和有害作用。