Omega-3-fatty acids: Do they prevent cardiovascular disease?

Abstract

Despite cardiovascular disease (CVD) reductions with high-intensity statins, there remains residual risk among patients with metabolic disorders. Alongside low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), elevated triglycerides (TG) are associated with incident CVD events. Omega-3 fatty acids (n3-FAs), specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), lower TG levels, but their ability to reduce CV risk has been highly inconsistent. Trials using icosapent ethyl (IPE), a purified EPA ethyl ester, produced reductions in CVD events and atherosclerotic plaque regression compared with mixed EPA/DHA formulations despite similar TG-reductions. The separate effects of EPA and DHA on tissue distribution, oxidative stress, inflammation, membrane structure and endothelial function may contribute to these discordant outcomes. Additional mechanistic trials will provide further insights into the role of n3-FAs in reducing CVD risk beyond TG lowering.

• Authors: R Preston Mason, Samuel C R Sherratt, Robert H Eckel
• Journal: Best practice & research. Clinical endocrinology & metabolism (Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab) Vol. 37 Issue 3 Pg. 101681 (05 2023) ISSN: 1878-1594 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 35739003 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Triglycerides
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3
• Docosahexaenoic Acids

Topics

• Humans
• Cardiovascular Diseases (prevention & control)
• Triglycerides (metabolism)
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (therapeutic use)
• Hypertriglyceridemia (complications, metabolism)
• Docosahexaenoic Acids (therapeutic use, metabolism)