Dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids increases gluconeogenesis from glycerol but not hepatic glucose production in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Fish-oil supplementation decreases serum triacylglycerols but may worsen hyperglycemia in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The reason for the possible deterioration of glycemia is unclear. We examined whether inhibition of triacylglycerol synthesis by n-3 fatty acids changes lipolysis, glycerol gluconeogenesis, or fatty acid oxidation. Nine obese patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus participated in a randomized double-blind crossover study in which 6 wk of n-3 fatty acid supplementation (12 g fish oil) was compared with 6 wk of corn plus olive oil. Serum triacylglycerols decreased by 30% during n-3 fatty acid supplementation. Glycerol gluconeogenesis ([U-14C]glycerol) increased by 32%. However, overall glucose production ([3-3H]glucose), glycemic control, and fatty acid oxidation remained unchanged. Thus, 6 wk of n-3 fatty acid supplementation lowers triacylglycerols in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus without worsening glycemic control. However, n-3 fatty acid supplementation increases glycerol gluconeogenesis, which could contribute to deterioration of glycemic control during long-term treatment with high doses of fish-oil supplements.
Puhakainen
I
I
Second Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Ahola
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I
Yki-Järvinen
H
H
D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000097:blood; D003314:Corn Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005943:Gluconeogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005990:Glycerol / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D003314:Corn Oil; D005947:Glucose; D005990:Glycerol