n−3 long‐chain FA decrease serum levels of TG and remnant‐like particle‐cholesterol in humans

Abstract

A large number of papers have reported that administration of n-3 FA reduced serum TG concentrations in hypertriglyceridemic patients. However, few studies have examined the effect of n-3 FA on serum concentrations of remnant-like particle (RLP) cholesterol. Volunteers (n = 41) whose serum TG concentrations were 100-300 mg/dL were recruited and randomly assigned to either an n-3 FA group or a control group with stratification by sex, age, and serum TG level in a double-blind manner. The subjects in the n-3 FA group were administered 125 mL of fermented soybean milk with fish oil containing 600 mg of EPA and 260 mg of DHA/d for 12 wk. The controls consumed control soybean milk with olive oil. Fasting blood samples were obtained before the start of administration and at 4, 8, and 12 wk. EPA concentrations in red blood cells increased significantly in all but one subject in the n-3 FA group, with no significant changes in the control group. TG levels decreased more in the n-3 FA group than in the control group at weeks 4 (P < 0.05), 8 (P < 0.01), and 12 (P < 0.05) with their baseline as covariate. RLP cholesterol levels decreased more in the n-3 FA group than in the control at weeks 8 (P < 0.01) and 12 (P < 0.05) with their baseline as covariate. The groups did not differ in the other lipid levels. It is likely that n-3 long-chain FA may exert anti-atherosclerotic effects by lowering serum TG and RLP-cholesterol levels even at the dose of 860 mg/d.

The Effects of Eicosapentaenoic Acid-Fortified Food on Inflammatory Markers in Healthy Subjects-A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study

“…The reasons why there were no significant differences in those lipid levels between the EPA and control groups were not clear. However, the mean basal levels in subjects in the previous study (15) were rather high (triglycerides: 1.65-1.83 mmol/L; RLP-cholesterol: 0.13-0.15 mmol/L) compared with the present study (see Table 7). This might be one of the reasons.…”

“…Recently we reported that the test food reduced the serum levels of triglycerides and RLP-cholesterol (15). The reasons why there were no significant differences in those lipid levels between the EPA and control groups were not clear.…”

Benefits of fish oil supplementation in hyperlipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Indeed, the AHA recommends 3-4 g/day of long chain omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia [7] and studies suggest that use of fish oils may also substantially reduce Remnant-Like Particle cholesterol [RLP-cholesterol] a novel cardiovascular disease risk factor [18][19][20]. However, the generally accepted safety limit for consumption of EPA and/or DHA is 3 g/day [6,7], which imposes a constraint on the adoption of this treatment recommendation.…”

Apolipoprotein B-48

“…Hamasaki et al [195] reported that n-3 long-chain FA decreased serum TG and RLP-C in humans. The effect of EPA on serum RLP-C was assessed in 10 patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes.…”

“…It is believed that omega-3 fatty acids enhanced CM clearance via reduced hepatic VLDL synthesis [194]. Moreover, in experimental models, omega-3 fatty acids may also reduce intestinal lipoprotein production [195], which is increased in insulin resistance [168] and type 2 diabetes [196]. These preliminary findings suggested that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids (4 g) to higher dose fluvastatin in diabetics with mixed hyperlipidemia was accompanied by a significant additional benefit in apoB-48 containing particles.…”