title: Influence of n-3 fatty acid supplementation on the endogenous activities of plasma lipases.
abstract: The aim of these studies was to explore the possibility that enhanced triacylglycerol clearance may contribute to the hypotriacylglycerolemic effect of n-3 fatty acids in humans. Healthy subjects (n = 20) and hypertriacylglycerolemic patients (n = 6) were given a placebo (olive oil, OO) or a fish-oil concentrate (FOC; 41% eicosapentaenoic acid and 23% docosahexaenoic acid) in two, independent, randomized, blind trials. For the healthy subjects, the FOC treatment period was 3 wk long and FOC intakes were 5 g/d. For the patients, treatment periods were 4 wk long and dosages were 5 g.70 kg body wt-1.d-1. Washout periods were 2-4 wk for both groups. Blood samples were drawn at the end of each phase and analyzed for plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and endogenous (nonheparin-stimulated) activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL). In the healthy subjects the FOC decreased plasma triacylglycerol concentrations by 18% (P < 0.01), whereas in the patients concentrations were reduced by 35% (P < 0.05). Low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations increased by 25% in the latter group (P = 0.06). FOC increased the endogenous activities of LPL and HL by 62% and 68%, respectively (P < 0.0001), in the healthy subjects, but only LPL in the patients (65%, P < 0.005). These data suggest that endogenous lipase activities may be altered by nutritional interventions, and further, that accelerated lipolysis could contribute, at least in part, to the observed effects of n-3 fatty acids on human lipoprotein metabolism.
authors.affiliation: St Luke's Hospital, University of Missouri-Kansas City 64111, USA. wharris@saint-lukes.org
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Rambjør
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Wålen
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ontko
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Windsor
mesh_terms: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood*; D008066:Lipolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase / Q000097:blood*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D010919:Placebos; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D010919:Placebos; D014280:Triglycerides; D008049:Lipase; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase