LONG-CHAIN N-3 FATTY ACIDS IMPROVE LARGE ARTERY ELASTICITY
IN HUMANS; DHA AND EPA ARE EQUIVALENT. P.Nestel 1, H. Shige 1, S.
Pomeroy 1, M. Cehun 1, D. Raederstorff 2 Baker Medical Research Institute 1, Melbourne, Australia;
Vitamin Research Human Nutrition, F. Hoffmann-La Roche 2,
Basel, Switzerland. Objective: To test
the relative capacity of the 2 major fish oil in n-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA)
to raise compliance (elasticity) of large arteries, since reduced compliance
leads to systolic hypertension and possible coronary insufficiency. Methods: 38
middle-aged dyslipidemic subjects were randomised into 3 groups to receive
either placebo (P1) (14), 3g EPA (12) or 3g DHA (12) for 7 weeks in a
double-blind parallel design trial. The
groups were well matched for key variables.
Outcome data: systemic arterial compliance (SAC) by non-invasive
measurements of arterial pressure pulse waves and aortic flows; plasma
lipoproteins; arterial pressures (BP).
Comparisons by paired t-test, run-in versus end. Results: 1. SAC improved with both fatty acids, run-in
vs end: P1 0.150 and 0.150 units; EPA 0.149 and 0.202 (P<0.005); DHA 0.147
and 0.186 (p=0.012). Plasma TG and VLDL
TG fell significantly with EPA (28%) and DHA (31%); HDL C rose with DHA (10%,
p=0.002) but not EPA. LDL C and BP were
not influenced. Plasma fatty acids:
with EPA only EPA rose; with DHA both
DHA and EPA rose; oleic fell). Conclusion: Arterial compliance, a likely new risk factor
for cardiovascular disease, was significantly improved when dyslipidemic subjects were given 3g EPA or DHA. Lipoprotein profile improved more with DHA.
