title: A controlled study on the effects of n-3 fatty acids on lipid and glucose metabolism in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients.
abstract: Eight male non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients participated in a double-blind randomized cross-over study (2 weeks for each period) evaluating the effects of 10 g/day fish oil dietary supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism. Fasting serum triglyceride concentrations were decreased by fish oil because of a reduction in VLDL (1.4 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.9 +/- 0.2 mmol/l, P less than 0.025). LDL cholesterol concentration was instead increased (3.4 +/- 0.3 vs. 2.8 +/- 0.3 mmol/l, P less than 0.025) and net changes in VLDL triglyceride and in LDL cholesterol were inversely correlated (r = -0.86, P less than 0.01). Plasma free fatty acids concentrations and turnover rate [( 3H]palmitate method) were similar after fish oil and placebo. Fish oil supplement did not induce significant changes in fasting blood glucose (8.1 +/- 1.1 vs. 8.5 +/- 1.2 mmol/l) and average daily blood glucose (BG) (9.4 +/- 3.2 vs. 9.3 +/- 3.5 mmol/l). Glucose stimulated plasma insulin response during a hyperglycemic clamp was not significantly influenced by fish oil both in the early phase and during steady state. Insulin sensitivity (M/I index) was also unchanged. In conclusion, this study shows that a dietary supplement of fish oil decreases plasma triglyceride levels in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients, an increased conversion rate of VLDL to LDL playing a role in this change. With this dosage of fish oil no relevant variations in glycemic control, insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity occurred.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Internal Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Annuzzi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rivellese
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Capaldo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Marino
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iovine
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marotta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Riccardi
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; C045153:Maxepa; D014280:Triglycerides; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D002784:Cholesterol; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid