Moderate intake of n-3 fatty acids is associated with stable erythrocyte resistance to oxidative stress in hypertriglyceridemic subjects

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition 2001-10, Vol.74 (4), p.449-456
• Main Authors: MABILE, Laurence, PIOLOT, Alain, BOULET, Lucie, FORTIN, Louis-Jacques, DOYLE, Nancy, RODRIGUEZ, Claudia, DAVIGNON, Jean, BLACHE, Denis, LUSSIER-CACAN, Suzanne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Amidines - antagonists & inhibitors; Antioxidants; Biological and medical sciences; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Diet; Disorders of blood lipids. Hyperlipoproteinemia; Erythrocyte Membrane - drug effects; Erythrocyte Membrane - metabolism; Erythrocytes - drug effects; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - metabolism; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - therapeutic use; Female; Fish oils; Hemolysis - drug effects; Humans; Hypertriglyceridemia - drug therapy; Hypertriglyceridemia - metabolism; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Middle Aged; Nutrition; Oxidative Stress - drug effects
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/74.4.449

The important triacylglycerol-lowering capacity of n-3 fatty acids is counterbalanced by their inherent sensitivity to oxidation. Inconsistent results about the latter have been reported in hypertriglyceridemic individuals. After incorporation into cell membranes, n-3 fatty acids may alter membrane-related functions. In view of the distinct composition of hypertriglyceridemic membranes and the prooxidant status in this condition, it can be surmised that cell enrichment with the oxidizable n-3 fatty acids will be associated with an increased hemolytic process. We sought to evaluate the effect of fish oil consumption on n-3 fatty acid incorporation into erythrocyte membranes and subsequent ex vivo oxidative-stress-induced hemolysis in normotriglyceridemic and hypertriglyceridemic subjects. Sixteen normotriglyceridemic and 12 hypertriglyceridemic subjects were given 6 g fish oil/d for 8 wk. Blood samples were collected before and 4 and 8 wk after treatment. Resistance to 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced hemolysis was assayed in fresh erythrocyte suspensions, and erythrocyte samples were stored at -70 degrees C for later analysis of cholesterol, hemoglobin, fatty acids, vitamin E, and glutathione peroxidase activity. Fish oil supplementation induced n-3 fatty acid incorporation in normotriglyceridemic and hypertriglyceridemic erythrocyte membranes without decreasing their resistance to AAPH. n-3 Fatty acids significantly protected normotriglyceridemic but not hypertriglyceridemic erythrocytes against hemolysis. In normotriglyceridemic subjects only, the higher resistance to hemolysis correlated with changes in cell vitamin E. Although they exhibit a high susceptibility to oxidation, n-3 fatty acids may preserve membrane integrity and represent an added benefit in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemic patients.