Effects of docosahexanoic acid on metabolic and fat parameters in HIV-infected patients on cART: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

• Published in: Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) Scotland), 2018-08, Vol.37 (4), p.1340-1347
• Main Authors: Domingo, Pere, Fernández, Irene, Gallego-Escuredo, José Miguel, Torres, Ferran, Gutierrez, M del Mar, Mateo, M Gracia, Villarroya, Joan, Giralt, Marta, Vidal, Francesc, Villarroya, Francesc, Domingo, Joan Carles
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• ISSN: 0261-5614; 1532-1983
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.05.032

Summary Background Hypertriglyceridemia is common in HIV-infected patients. Polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce fasting serum triglyceride (TG) levels in HIV-infected patients. It is not known whether docosahexanoic acid (DHA) supplementation can reduce hypertriglyceridemia and modify fat distribution in HIV-infected patients. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 84 antiretroviral-treated patients who had fasting TG levels from 2.26 to 5.65 mmol/l and were randomized to receive DHA or placebo for 48 weeks. TG levels were assessed at baseline, week 4 and every 12 weeks. Body composition was assessed at baseline and at week 48. Registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier no. NCT02005900. Results Patients receiving DHA had a 43.9% median decline in fasting TG levels at week 4 (IQR: −31% to −56%), compared with −2.9% (−18.6% to 16.5%) in the placebo group (P