Effects of a new fish oil concentrate on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of a fish oil preparation, K-85, in which the omega-3 fatty acid content was concentrated to 92% of total fat, on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations was investigated in patients with primary hypertriglyceridaemia.


METHODS
The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.


METHODS
Seven centres participated in the study, five secondary referral centres and two general practices.


METHODS
Men and women aged 18-70 years with fasting serum triglyceride concentrations between 2 and 10 mmol/l and fasting serum cholesterol concentrations > 5.2 mmol/l were studied. Patients with diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, serious illness in the previous 3 months or severe concurrent illness were excluded from the study, as were drug or alcohol abusers and pregnant and lactating women. Ninety-five subjects entered the study, 79 completed the study.


METHODS
Patients were randomized to receive K-85 2 g twice daily or corn oil 2 g twice daily for 14 weeks.


METHODS
The serum concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and lipoprotein (a). Fasting blood glucose and blood pressure.


RESULTS
Serum triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in the group treated with K-85 than in the placebo group after 6, 10 and 14 weeks (all P < 0.01) and there was a decrease in the serum triglyceride concentration from 3.99 (2.94-9.47) to 2.87 (1.2-9.93) mmol/l (P < 0.001) and in VLDL-cholesterol from 1.47 (0.77-3.63) to 1.12 (0.21-3.67) mmol/l (P < 0.01) in patients receiving K-85. Serum HDL-cholesterol increased from 0.98 (0.95-1.01) to 1.11 (1.07-1.15) mmol/l (P < 0.01) in the patients with type IV hyperlipoproteinaemia but did not change in those with type IIb. Serum LDL-cholesterol, lipoprotein (a) and fasting blood glucose were unaffected by K-85. Diastolic blood pressure decreased from 86 +/- 11 to 80 +/- 12 mmHg (P < 0.02) and was also lower than in the placebo group (P < 0.05). The corn oil placebo did not affect any of the parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
K-85 is effective in lowering serum triglycerides and VLDL in patients with primary hypertriglyceridaemia and may have utility as a triglyceride-lowering agent.
Mackness
M I
MI
University Department of Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK.
Bhatnagar
D
D
Durrington
P N
PN
Prais
H
H
Haynes
B
B
Morgan
J
J
Borthwick
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; C092589:K-85 fish oil preparation; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol