A review of the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on blood triacylglycerol levels in normolipidemic and borderline hyperlipidemic individuals

Abstract

Circulating levels of triacylglycerol (TG) is a recognized risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death worldwide. The Institute of Medicine and the American Heart Association both recommend the consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), to reduce serum TG in hyperlipidemic individuals. Additionally, a number of systematic reviews have shown that individuals with any degree of dyslipidemia, elevated serum TG and/or cholesterol, may benefit from a 20-30 % reduction in serum TG after consuming n-3 PUFA derived from marine sources. Given that individuals with serum lipid levels ranging from healthy to borderline dyslipidemic constitute a large portion of the population, the focus of this review was to assess the potential for n-3 PUFA consumption to reduce serum TG in such individuals. A total of 1341 studies were retrieved and 38 clinical intervention studies, assessing 2270 individuals, were identified for inclusion in the current review. In summary, a 9-26 % reduction in circulating TG was demonstrated in studies where ≥ 4 g/day of n-3 PUFA were consumed from either marine or EPA/DHA-enriched food sources, while a 4-51 % reduction was found in studies where 1–5 g/day of EPA and/or DHA was consumed through supplements. Overall, this review summarizes the current evidence with regards to the beneficial effect of n-3 PUFA on circulating TG levels in normolipidemic to borderline hyperlipidemic, otherwise healthy, individuals. Thus demonstrating that n-3 PUFA may play an important role in the maintenance of cardiovascular health and disease prevention.

Role of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Ameliorating the Obesity-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Animal Models and Humans

“…The TAG lowering effects are variable depending on the daily intake of DHA [73]. When ≥4 g/day of n-3 PUFA is consumed, there is a 9%–26% reduction in circulating TAG, while a 4%–5% reduction occurs when 1–5 g/day of EPA and/or DHA are consumed [85]. In healthy male adults, fish oil or DHA-oil supplementation for 15 weeks lowers fasting plasma TAG concentrations and increases the plasma HDL2/HDL3 cholesterol ratio [72]; HDL3 content is associated with increased visceral fat deposition and impaired VLDL function [86].…”

“…Moreover, variation in a rate-limiting gene for PUFA synthesis, Δ 6-desaturase, can affect the prevalence of metabolic syndrome [59]. The lack of a consistent study design and variations in human responsiveness may be major limitations to assess the effects of n-3 PUFA and to establish a recommended dose for n-3 PUFA intake [85]. Hence, animal models in vivo and in vitro are required to reveal potential mechanisms for the n-3 PUFA effects.…”

“…To treat patients with obesity or its comorbidities, the amount of fish oils required to appropriately serve as ligands for the n-3 PUFA receptor GRP120 will be too high to be practical [85]. Long-term daily dietary n-3 PUFA consumption will be needed.…”

Effects of fish oil supplementation on prostaglandins in normal and tumor colon tissue: modulation by the lipogenic phenotype of colon tumors

“…Consistent with this finding, fish oil fed rats treated with the carcinogen azoxymethane (AOM) had reduced colon tumor incidence and multiplicity compared to Western diet fed controls [7, 18]. In addition, fish oils are known to have a triglyceride lowering effect [19], but the effects of fish oils on colon lipids are currently less well defined.…”

Bioactive fractions from cantabrian anchovy (Engraulis encrarischolus) viscera

“…Much of the research in this area has been focused on marine lipidic compounds found in seafood such as unsaturated fatty acids ω-3 and ω-6, to which prevention of chronico-degenerative illnesses have been attributed (Burgos-Hernández et al, 2001;Farzaneh-Far et al, 2010;Shahidi & Miraliakbari, 2004;Ewaschuk et al, 2012;Chen et al, 2015;Darghosian et al, 2015;Leslie et al, 2015;Eide et al, 2016). However, little attention has been given to the chemical composition of seafood wastes (skin, viscera, and fish heads) as a source of biologically active molecules.…”