Increased n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids do not attenuate the effects of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on insulin sensitivity or triacylglycerol reduction in Indian Asians.
BACKGROUND
Indian Asians in Western countries have a higher rate of coronary artery disease than do the indigenous white populations, and this higher rate may be influenced by a dietary imbalance of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that a high background dietary intake of n-6 PUFA attenuates the effects of fish-oil supplementation on insulin sensitivity and associated blood lipids of the metabolic syndrome.


METHODS
Twenty-nine Indian Asian men were recruited to participate in a 12-wk dietary intervention trial. Volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either a moderate or a high n-6 PUFA diet featuring modified oils and spreads over a 6-wk period. After this 6-wk period, both groups were supplemented with 4.0 g fish oil/d (2.5 g eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid) for an additional 6 wk in combination with the dietary treatment. Volunteers participated in a postprandial study and an insulin sensitivity test after the 6-wk dietary intervention and again after the fish-oil supplementation period.


RESULTS
There was no significant time x treatment interaction for blood lipids or insulin action after dietary intervention with the moderate or high n-6 PUFA diets in combination with fish oil. After the 6-wk period of fish oil supplementation, fasting and postprandial plasma triacylglycerol concentrations decreased significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
The background dietary n-6 PUFA concentration did not modulate the effect of fish-oil supplementation on blood lipids or measures of insulin sensitivity in this ethnic group.
Brady
Louise M
LM
School of Food Biosciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom.
Lovegrove
Sean S
SS
Lesauvage
Stephanie V M
SV
Gower
Barbara A
BA
Minihane
Anne-Marie
AM
Williams
Christine M
CM
Lovegrove
Julie A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004347:Drug Interactions; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019518:Postprandial Period; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D006113:United Kingdom
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D014280:Triglycerides