The effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on lipids, haemostasis, neutrophil and monocyte chemotaxis in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). There is some evidence that polyunsaturated fatty acids of the marine n-3 type (n-3 PUFA's) may offer protection against CAD. We have studied the effect of short-term dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFAs on lipids, haemostasis, neutrophil and monocyte chemotaxis in 10 patients with IDDM. The patients were given 4 g daily of n-3 PUFAs (fish oil) for 6 weeks and were investigated before and after the supplement. No significant effects on platelets or haemostasis were observed. High density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol significantly increased, and triglycerides and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol significantly decreased. Monocyte chemotaxis was unaltered, while neutrophil chemotaxis significantly increased after fish oil. The finding of an improvement in neutrophil chemotaxis after supplementation with n-3 PUFAs to patients with IDDM needs to be confirmed in future studies.
Schmidt
E B
EB
Department of Medicine, Aalborg Hospital, Denmark.
Sørensen
P J
PJ
Pedersen
J O
JO
Jersild
C
C
Ditzel
J
J
Grunnet
N
N
Dyerberg
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000502:physiology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology; D010979:Platelet Function Tests
D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005395:Fish Oils; D008055:Lipids