One-year treatment with ethyl esters of n-3 fatty acids in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and glucose intolerance: reduced triglyceridemia, total cholesterol and increased HDL-C without glycemic alterations.
n-3 Fatty acids in the form of ethyl esters (EE) allow lower daily doses and improved compliance. Administration of n-3 fatty acids to patients with glucose intolerance has led to controversial findings, some studies indicating worsening of the disorder, others no effect, or an improvement. A total of 935 patients with hypertriglyceridemia, associated with additional cardiovascular risk factors, i.e. glucose intolerance, NIDDM and/or arterial hypertension were entered a double blind (DB) protocol lasting 6 months with n-3 EE versus placebo, followed by a further 6 months of open study (n = 868) on 2 g a day of n-3 EE. At the end of the DB period, triglyceridemia in the total group was reduced significantly more by n-3 EE, without alterations in glycemic parameters. In the 6 months open follow up, patients on n-3 EE with type IIB hyperlipoproteinemia showed a significant reduction of total cholesterol, both in cases with (-4.15% vs. the 6 month levels) and without NIDDM (-3.8%). HDL-cholesterol had an overall mean rise of 7.4%, maximal in type IV patients with (+9.1%) and without (+10.1%) NIDDM. No alterations in glycemic parameters were detected in treated patients. Administration of n-3 EE to patients with hypertriglyceridemia associated with NIDDM or impaired glucose tolerance appears safe and effective.
Sirtori
C R
CR
Center E. Grossi Paoletti, University of Milano, Milan, Italy.
Crepaldi
G
G
Manzato
E
E
Mancini
M
M
Rivellese
A
A
Paoletti
R
R
Pazzucconi
F
F
Pamparana
F
F
Stragliotto
E
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol