Botanical Oil Supplementation Alters Insulin Levels in Diabetic/Metabolic Syndrome Subjects in a Genotypic‐Specific Manner

Abstract

Dietary botanical seed oils may influence common diseases associated with systemic inflammation such as asthma and diabetes. We have previously determined the optimal dietary concentrations of two botanical seed oils from borage (Borago officinalis) and echium (Echium plantagineum) necessary to reduce ex vivo leukotriene generation in asthmatic subjects. The current study compared the impact of dietary supplementation with borage/echium and corn (placebo) or fish oil on insulin levels in 59 diabetes/metabolic syndrome subjects. Serum PUFA levels changed as expected based on the dietary oil (corn, botanical or fish) provided to subjects. When examined as a group, there was no statistical difference in insulin levels among the dietary groups. A variant LTC4 synthase genotype (−444 LTC4S or rs730012) has been identified that is associated with high levels of mRNA for LTC4S, leukotrienes and responsiveness to leukotriene blockers The borage/echium oil combination, but not placebo or fish oil, markedly increased insulin levels in individuals with the LTC4S variant. These data suggest that dietary supplementation with borage/echium oils alters insulin levels in diabetic/metabolic syndrome subjects in a genotypic‐specific manner. Supported by NIH PO50AT0027820.