Beef consumption and fatty acids serum concentration: relationship with salivary gland tumors in Córdoba, Argentina.

AIM The objective of the present study was to analyze beef consumption, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and n-3 fatty acid (FA) serum concentration and their relation to salivary gland tumors (SGT). A questionnaire on non-nutritional risk factors and a validated food frequency questionnaire were applied in 20 SGT and 20 control (Co) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Food data were processed by the Interfood v.1.3 software. Serum CLA was analyzed by chromatography. RESULTS Non-significant differences were found between SGT and Co regarding lean and fatty BC and serum CLA. Serum n-3 linolenic acid concentration was higher in Co than in SGT (p=0.004). No associations between BC and CLA serum concentration were found, but a strong-positive association between total energy intake and total fat intake and SGT were observed. A significant inverse association between oleic and linoleic FA intake and SGT was recorded. CONCLUSION Serum oleic and linolenic FAs showed a significant negative association with SGT.