Fish intake is associated with a reduced progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease.
BACKGROUND
Higher intakes of fish and n-3 fatty acids are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. However, limited data exist on the effect of fish intake on actual measures of progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis.


OBJECTIVE
The aim was to examine the association between fish intake and the progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis in women with coronary artery disease.


METHODS
This was a prospective cohort study of postmenopausal women (n = 229) participating in the Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis trial. Usual fish intake was estimated at baseline with a food-frequency questionnaire. Quantitative coronary angiography was performed at baseline and after 3.2 +/- 0.6 (x +/- SD) y to evaluate changes in the mean minimum coronary artery diameter, the mean percentage of stenosis, and the development of new coronary lesions.


RESULTS
Compared with lower fish intakes, consumption of > or =2 servings of fish or > or =1 serving of tuna or dark fish per week was associated with smaller increases in the percentage of stenosis (4.54 +/- 1.37% compared with -0.06 +/- 1.59% and 5.12 +/- 1.48% compared with 0.35 +/- 1.47%, respectively; P < 0.05 for both) in diabetic women after adjustments for age, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and dietary intakes of fatty acids, cholesterol, fiber, and alcohol. These associations were not significant in nondiabetic women. Higher fish consumption was also associated with smaller decreases in minimum coronary artery diameter and fewer new lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Consumption of fish is associated with a significantly reduced progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis in women with coronary artery disease.
Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA-HNRCA, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Arja T
AT
Erkkilä
Alice H
AH
Lichtenstein
Dariush
D
Mozaffarian
David M
DM
Herrington
D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017747:Seafood; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008055:Lipids