Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on the Arachidonic Acid: Eicosapentaenoic Acid Ratio

• Published in: Pharmacotherapy 2007-05, Vol.27 (5), p.633-638
• Main Authors: Burns, Tammy, Maciejewski, Stephanie R., Hamilton, William R., Zheng, Margaret, Mooss, Aryan N., Hilleman, Daniel E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AA:EPA ratio; Adult; Aged; arachidonic acid; Arachidonic Acid - blood; Arachidonic Acid - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers; Blood Glucose - drug effects; C-Reactive Protein - drug effects; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; CAM; Cholesterol, HDL - drug effects; Cholesterol, LDL - drug effects; complementary and alternative medicine; Coronary Disease - drug therapy; Docosahexaenoic Acids - pharmacology; eicosapentaenoic acid; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - blood; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - pharmacology; fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - pharmacology; Female; Fish Oils - pharmacology; Hospitals, University; Humans; lipids; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; nutrition; omega-3; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Prospective Studies; Triglycerides - metabolism
• ISSN: 0277-0008; 1875-9114
• DOI: 10.1592/phco.27.5.633

Study Objectives. To determine the baseline arachidonic acid: eicosapentaenoic acid (AA:EPA) ratio in patients with coronary artery disease and healthy subjects, and whether supplementation of omega‐3 fatty acids, administered as fish oil capsules, affects this ratio. Design. Prospective, open‐label trial. Setting. University‐affiliated cardiology clinic. Subjects. Thirty patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and 30 healthy subjects. Intervention. All participants received omega‐3 fatty acids 1.5 g/day for 4 weeks, followed by 3 g/day for an additional 4 weeks. Measurements and Main Results. For each participant, a lipid profile was determined at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment with each dose. Other laboratory results analyzed were serum AA:EPA ratios, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels, and blood glucose levels. Mean ± SD baseline AA:EPA ratios were 39.6 ± 19.0 in healthy subjects and 23.7 ± 12.5 in patients with CAD. These ratios decreased significantly in both groups after treatment with 1.5 g/day of omega‐3 fatty acids: 9.0 ± 4.2 in healthy subjects and 10.3 ± 8.8 in patients with CAD. After treatment with 3 g/day, the ratios were further reduced: 5.1 ± 3.2 in healthy subjects and 4.9 ± 2.6 in patients with CAD. Supplementation with omega‐3 fatty acids did not significantly affect hs‐CRP, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, or blood glucose levels. Triglyceride levels were not reduced in patients with CAD but were significantly decreased in healthy subjects (by 20% decrease with omega‐3 fatty acids 1.5 g/day and by 32% decrease with 3 g/day). Conclusion. Treatment with omega‐3 fatty acids significantly reduced AA:EPA ratios in both healthy subjects and in patients with stable CAD. The treatment had no effect on hs‐CRP levels in either group, and it reduced triglyceride levels in healthy subjects but not in patients with CAD.