C-reactive protein, dietary n-3 fatty acids, and the extent of coronary artery disease.
The acute-phase reactant C-reactive protein (CRP) has emerged as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. Experimental and clinical studies provide evidence of anti-inflammatory effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) derived from fish. We have studied the effect of marine n-3 PUFA on CRP levels in 269 patients referred for coronary angiography because of clinical suspicion of coronary artery disease. All patients filled out a food questionnaire regarding fish intake. The n-3 PUFA content of granulocyte membranes was determined and the concentration of CRP in serum was measured using a highly sensitive assay. The results were related to angiographic findings. CRP was significantly higher in patients with significant coronary stenoses than in those with no significant angiographic changes (p <0.001), but the CRP levels were not associated with the number of diseased vessels. Subjects with CRP levels in the lower quartile had a significantly higher content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in granulocytes than subjects with CRP levels in the upper quartile (p = 0.02), and in a multivariate linear regression analysis, DHA was independently correlated to CRP (R(2) = 0.179; p = 0.003). The inverse correlation between CRP and DHA may reflect an anti-inflammatory effect of DHA in patients with stable coronary artery disease and suggest a novel mechanism by which fish consumption may decrease the risk of coronary artery disease.
Madsen
T
T
Department of Cardiology, Aalborg Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark. austrine@hotmail.com
Skou
H A
HA
Hansen
V E
VE
Fog
L
L
Christensen
J H
JH
Toft
E
E
Schmidt
E B
EB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D002097:C-Reactive Protein