Do Docosahexaenoic and Eicosapentaenoic Acids Have Similar Effects on Inflammation Markers? Pairwise and Network Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials

• Published in: Current developments in nutrition 2020-06, Vol.4 (Supplement_2), p.485-485, Article nzaa045_118
• Main Authors: Vors, Cécile, Allaire, Janie, Mejia, Sonia Blanco, Khan, Tauseef, Sievenpiper, John, Lamarche, Benoît
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dietary Bioactive Components
• ISSN: 2475-2991; 2475-2991
• DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa045_118

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of DHA and EPA on several markers of systemic inflammation by pairwise and network meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library were searched through September 2019. We included RCTs of ≥ 7 days that directly compared the effects of DHA with EPA and RCTs of indirect comparisons, in which the effects of DHA or EPA were assessed individually compared with a control fatty acid. Differences in circulating concentrations of CRP, IL-6, TNF-α and adiponectin were the primary outcome. Data were pooled by pairwise and network meta-analysis and expressed as mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed (Cochran Q statistic) and quantified (I2 statistic) in the pairwise meta-analysis. Inconsistency and transitivity were evaluated in the network meta-analysis. The certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). Eligibility criteria were met by 5 RCTs (N = 411) for the pairwise meta-analysis and 20 RCTs (N = 1231) for the network meta-analysis. In the pairwise meta-analysis, DHA and EPA had similar effects on plasma CRP (MDDHA vs. EPA = 0.14 mg/L [95% CI –0.57, 0.85]; I2 = 61%), IL-6 (MDDHA vs. EPA = 0.10 pg/mL [–0.15, 0.34]; I2 = 40%) and TNF-α (MDDHA vs. EPA = –0.10 pg/mL [–0.37, 0.18]; I2 = 40%). The effects of DHA and EPA on plasma CRP (MDDHA vs. EPA = –0.33 mg/L [–0.75, 0.10]), IL-6 (MDDHA vs. EPA = 0.09 pg/mL [–0.12, 0.30]) and TNF-α (MDDHA vs. EPA = –0.02 pg/mL [–0.25, 0.20]) were also similar according to the network meta-analysis. DHA and EPA had similar effects on plasma adiponectin in the network meta-analysis. The present pairwise and network meta-analyses comparing EPA to DHA suggest that DHA and EPA do not differentially modify systemic markers of subclinical inflammation. The authors have no funding to report.