Increased lipid peroxidation during long-term intervention with high doses of n-3 fatty acids (PUFAs) following an acute myocardial infarction.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the oxidative burden of a highly concentrated compound of n-3 PUFAs as compared to corn oil by measuring thiobarbituric acid-malondialdehyde complex (TBA-MDA) by HPLC. We also studied the influence on TBA-MDA of statins combined with n-3 PUFAs or corn oil.


METHODS
A prospective, randomised, double-blind, controlled study.


METHODS
One hospital centre in Stavanger, Norway.


METHODS
A total of 300 subjects with an acute myocardial infarction (MI).


METHODS
Gelatine capsules, containing 850-882 mg EPA and DHA as concentrated ethylesters, or 1 g of corn oil, were ingested in a dose of two capsules twice a day for at least 1 y. Alpha-tocopherol (4 mg) was added to all capsules to protect the PUFAs against oxidation.


RESULTS
After 1 y TBA-MDA increased modestly in the n-3 PUFA group (n=125), as compared to the corn oil group (n=130), P=0.027. Multiple linear regression analyses of fatty acids in serum total phospholipids (n=56) on TBA-MDA measured after 12 months intervention, showed no dependency. Performing best subsets regression, serum phospholipid concentration of arachidonic acid (20:4 n-6 PUFA) was identified as a predictor of TBA-MDA at 12 months follow-up, P=0.004. We found no impact of statins on TBA-MDA.


CONCLUSIONS
TBA-MDA increased modestly after long-term intervention with n-3 PUFAs compared to corn oil post-MI, suggesting biological changes induced by n-3 PUFAs, rather than simply reflecting their concentration differences. The peroxidative potential of n-3 PUFAs was not modified by statin treatment.


BACKGROUND
: Pharmacia A/S and Pronova A/S, Norway.
Grundt
H
H
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Central Hospital in Rogaland, POB 8100, 4068 Stavanger, Norway. heidi@madlalia.no
Nilsen
D W T
DW
Mansoor
M A
MA
Nordøy
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003314:Corn Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood*; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism*
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D010743:Phospholipids; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D003314:Corn Oil