The impact of polyunsaturated fatty acid-based dietary supplements on disease biomarkers in a metabolic syndrome/diabetes population

Abstract

BackgroundIngestion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been proposed to influence several chronic diseases including coronary heart disease (CHD) and type-2 diabetes (T2D).There is strong evidence that omega-3 (n-3) PUFAs provide protection against CHD and biomarkers of atherosclerosis. In contrast, there is more limited and inconsistent data for T2D. Few studies have examined the impact of n-3 PUFA-containing botanical oils on T2D.MethodsFifty-nine subjects with early-stageT2D or metabolic syndrome participated in an 8-week, randomized, single-blind, parallel intervention study and were provided PUFA-containing oils. Individuals received either corn oil (CO), a botanical oil (BO) combination (borage [Borago officinalis L.]/echium oil [Echium plantagineum L.]) or fish oil (FO). The BO combination was enriched in alpha-linolenic, gamma-linolenic, and stearidonic acids and the FO in eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. Serum fatty acids and other serum lipids(triglycerides and total, HDL and LDL cholesterol), as well as markers of inflammation (leptin, and C-reactive protein) and glucose regulation (glucose and hemoglobin A1c) were assessed from fasting participants at baseline and after the intervention.ResultsCompliance was verified by expected increases in specific PUFAs in each of the three oil arms. Participants in the CO group showed no differences in serum lipids, markers of inflammation or glucose regulation between pre- and post-treatment measures. Supplementation with BO significantly lowered total and LDL cholesterol levels and FO reduced serum triglycerides, hemoglobin A1c and increased HDL-cholesterol.ConclusionShort-term dietary supplementation with BO and FO improved biomarkers associated with T2D/metabolic syndrome.Trial registrationClinicaltrial.gov NCT01145066

Gamma-linolenic acid, Dihommo-gamma linolenic, Eicosanoids and Inflammatory Processes

“…Because of its rapid conversion, GLA is found in low levels in circulating lipids, cells or tissues. In contrast to GLA, the ELOVL5 product, DGLA is readily measured in circulating lipids and most cells, and levels of DGLA are consistently elevated after GLA supplementation (Chilton-Lopez et al, 1996; Johnson et al, 1997; Lee et al, 2014; Simon et al, 2014) (Table 2). Once formed, DGLA can be incorporated into cellular glycerolipids (primarily phospholipids).…”

“…Botanical oil combinations that contain borage oil, enriched in GLA, and echium oil, (from Echium plantagineum L.) enriched in n-3 PUFAs (ALA and SDA), also markedly increase circulating levels of DGLA and have little impact on circulating AA levels (Arm et al, 2013; Lee et al, 2014). These studies suggest that botanical n-3 18C-PUFAs not only enhance the conversion of dietary GLA to DGLA but also inhibit further conversion of that DGLA to AA.…”

“…borage and echium oils) containing GLA, the n-3 18C-PUFAs, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) and stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4n-3), have been shown to reduce leukotriene generation and forced expiratory volume in mild asthmatics (Arm et al, 2013; Kazani et al, 2014), improve glucose tolerance in insulin-resistant monkeys (Kavanagh et al, 2013) and reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels in patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome (Lee et al, 2014). These botanical oil studies, however, have yet to be replicated in larger human clinical trials.…”

Fit with good fat? The role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on exercise performance

“…Through these properties it has been demonstrated that n-3 PUFA supplementation may help in the prevention or treatment of many inflammatory-related diseases such as diabetes [4], [5], [6] and cardiovascular disease [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13]. However, in recent years, the certainties of this assertion have been challenged by new discoveries [14], [15].…”

Regulation of Nlrp3 inflammasome by dietary metabolites

“…Furthermore, DHA supplementation improves insulin sensitivity and alleviates inflammation in mouse models of diet-induced obesity in a GPR and Nlrp3-dependent manner [54]. In short term human trials, diet supplementation with PUFAs has also shown promise in reducing inflammatory markers and liver lipids, and modest improvements in insulin sensitivity [101, 102]. …”