Dose-response effects of omega-3 fatty acids on triglycerides, inflammation, and endothelial function in healthy persons with moderate hypertriglyceridemia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality at a dose of ≈1 g/d. Studies using higher doses have shown evidence of reduced inflammation and improved endothelial function. Few studies have compared these doses.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of a nutritional dose of EPA+DHA (0.85 g/d) with those of a pharmaceutical dose (3.4 g/d) on serum triglycerides, inflammatory markers, and endothelial function in healthy subjects with moderately elevated triglycerides.

DESIGN:

This was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, 3-period crossover trial (8 wk of treatment, 6 wk of washout) that compared the effects of 0.85 and 3.4 g EPA+DHA/d in 23 men and 3 postmenopausal women with moderate hypertriglyceridemia (150-500 mg/dL).

RESULTS:

The higher dose of EPA+DHA lowered triglycerides by 27% compared with placebo (mean ± SEM: 173 ± 17.5 compared with 237 ± 17.5 mg/dL; P = 0.002), whereas no effect of the lower dose was observed on lipids. No effects on cholesterol (total, LDL, and HDL), endothelial function [as assessed by flow-mediated dilation, peripheral arterial tonometry/EndoPAT (Itamar Medical Ltd, Caesarea, Israel), or Doppler measures of hyperemia], inflammatory markers (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), or the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes in isolated lymphocytes were observed.

CONCLUSION:

The higher dose (3.4 g/d) of EPA+DHA significantly lowered triglycerides, but neither dose improved endothelial function or inflammatory status over 8 wk in healthy adults with moderate hypertriglyceridemia. The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00504309.

• Authors: Ann C Skulas-Ray, Penny M Kris-Etherton, William S Harris, John P Vanden Heuvel, Paul R Wagner, Sheila G West
• Journal: The American journal of clinical nutrition (Am J Clin Nutr) Vol. 93 Issue 2 Pg. 243-52 (Feb 2011) ISSN: 1938-3207 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21159789 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Dietary Fats
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3
• Inflammation Mediators
• Triglycerides

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Cross-Over Studies
• Dietary Fats (administration & dosage)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Endothelium, Vascular (drug effects, physiology)
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Hypertriglyceridemia (blood, drug therapy)
• Inflammation (blood)
• Inflammation Mediators (metabolism)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postmenopause
• Reference Values
• Triglycerides (blood)
• Young Adult