Omega-3 fatty acid supplements improve the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with metabolic syndrome, including markers of inflammation and auto-immunity

Acta Cardiol. 2009 Jun;64(3):321-7. doi: 10.2143/AC.64.3.2038016.

Abstract

Objective: Fish-oil contains high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. We have evaluated the effects of purified omega-3 fatty acid supplements on several anthropometric and biochemical parameters, including heat shock protein (Hsp) 27 antibody titres in subjects with metabolic syndrome.

Methods: Subjects (n = 120) with metabolic syndrome (mean age of 52.9 +/- 11.9 years) were randomly allocated to one of two groups: sixty subjects were given 1 gram of fish oil as a single capsule, containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid daily for 6 months. Control subjects did not receive any supplementation over the same period.

Results: The study was completed by 47 subjects in the intervention group and 42 subjects in the control group. Treatment with omega 3 supplements was associated with a significant fall in body weight (P < 0.05), systolic blood pressures (P < 0.05), serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05), and total cholesterol (P < 0.05), triglycerides (P < 0.05), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P < 0.01), and Hsp27 antibody titres (P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the control group.

Conclusion: It appears that omega 3 improves the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with metabolic syndrome, having effects on weight, systolic blood pressure, lipid profile and markers of inflammation and autoimmunity.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Autoimmune Diseases / blood
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Body Mass Index
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / therapeutic use
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Fish Oils
  • HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins / blood
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / blood
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / blood
  • Metabolic Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Weight Loss / drug effects
  • Weight Loss / physiology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Fish Oils
  • HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid