title: An omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrate increases plasma high-density lipoprotein 2 cholesterol and paraoxonase levels in patients with familial combined hyperlipidemia.
abstract: A remarkable reduction of plasma concentrations of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), especially of the HDL(2) subfraction, is one of the typical lipoprotein alterations found in patients with familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL). Fourteen FCHL patients received 4 capsules daily of Omacor (an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid [omega3 FA] concentrate providing 1.88 g of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and 1.48 g of docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] per day; Pronova Biocare, Oslo, Norway) or placebo for 8 weeks in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Plasma triglycerides were 44% lower, and LDL cholesterol and apoliporpotein (apo)B were 25% and 7% higher after Omacor than placebo. HDL cholesterol was higher (+8%) after Omacor than placebo, but this difference did not achieve statistical significance. Omacor caused a selective increase of the more buoyant HDL(2) subfraction; plasma HDL(2) cholesterol and total mass increased by 40% and 26%, respectively, whereas HDL(3) cholesterol and total mass decreased by 4% and 6%. Both HDL(2) and HDL(3) were enriched in cholesteryl esters and depleted of triglycerides after Omacor. No changes were observed in the plasma concentration of major HDL apolipoproteins, LpA-I and LpA-I:A-II particles, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). The plasma concentration of the HDL-bound antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase increased by 10% after Omacor. Omacor may be helpful in correcting multiple lipoprotein abnormalities and reducing cardiovascular risk in FCHL patients.
authors.affiliation: Center E. Grossi Paoletti, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Calabresi
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canavesi
authors.forename: Cesare R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Sirtori
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bernini
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Franceschini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000097:blood; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D010316:Particle Size; D007862:Phosphatidylcholine-Sterol O-Acyltransferase / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014461:Ultracentrifugation
chemical_list: D001054:Apolipoproteins A; C506642:CETP protein, human; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D006023:Glycoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D007862:Phosphatidylcholine-Sterol O-Acyltransferase; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase