Soluble adhesion molecules in healthy subjects: a dose-response study using n-3 fatty acids.
OBJECTIVE
Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may protect against atherosclerotic disease, and serum levels of soluble cellular adhesion molecules (sCAMs) possibly reflect the inflammatory process underlying atherosclerosis. We studied the effect of n-3 PUFA dietary supplementation on the serum levels of sP-selectin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and the correlation between sCAMs and the fatty acid composition of granulocyte membranes.


RESULTS
Sixty healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to receive a daily supplement of n-3 PUFA 6.6 g, n-3 PUFA 2.0 g, or olive oil for 12 weeks in a double blind design. A significant negative correlation was found between serum sICAM-1 levels and the DHA content of granulocyte membranes at entry. After supplementation with 6.6 g of n-3 PUFA, there was a significant decrease only in sP-selectin, which a gender subanalysis showed to be more marked in men. Among the women, there was a significant decrease in sICAM-1 in the PUFA 2.0 g group and a significant increase in sVCAM-1 in the PUFA 6.6 g group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that high-dose supplementation with n-3 PUFA decreases sP-selectin levels in healthy subjects, thus suggesting a decrease in platelet reactivity or endothelial activation. However, the effect of n-3 PUFA on sCAMs is complex and may depend on gender and n-3 PUFA dose.
Eschen
O
O
Department of Cardiology, Aalborg Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark. d302015@inet.uni2.dk
Christensen
J H
JH
De Caterina
R
R
Schmidt
E B
EB
D000328:Adult; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D012737:Sex Factors; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects
D015415:Biomarkers; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D019007:P-Selectin; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids