The effect of low-dose fish oil supplementation on serum growth factors in healthy humans.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of low-dose fish oil supplementation on specific growth factors, purported to play a central role in lesion formation, and also on the total growth factor activity of serum, as assessed by the induction of DNA synthesis in cultured human arterial smooth muscle cells.


METHODS
Randomized placebo-controlled double-blind intervention study.


METHODS
Free-living population.


METHODS
Sixty-three healthy volunteers, 37 males and 26 females.


METHODS
Four treatment regimes with subjects receiving 0, 0.3,0.6 or 0.9 g/day of n-3 PUFA for an 8 week period. Blood samples were taken at baseline and following the 8 week intervention. All samples were analysed in batch following completion of the study.


RESULTS
Consumption of fish oil had no effect on serum platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), or transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) concentration. Furthermore, fish oil supplementation did not alter the total growth factor activity of serum.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate that low-dose fish oil supplementation, equivalent to about two portions of fatty fish per week and providing less than 1 g n-3 PUFA/day, does not alter the levels of the major serum growth factors and does not modify total serum growth factor activity in healthy human volunteers.


BACKGROUND
European Union shared cost project (FAIR-CT-95-0085).
Wallace
J M
JM
Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health (NICHE), University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK. j.wallace@ulst.ac.uk
McCabe
A J
AJ
Roche
H M
HM
Higgins
S
S
Robson
P J
PJ
Gilmore
W S
WS
McGlynn
H
H
Strain
J J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D006133:Growth Substances; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D004247:DNA