Continual supplementation with n-3 fatty acids does not modify plasma lipid profile in spinal cord injury patients.
METHODS
A prospective study during a diet modification.


OBJECTIVE
To observe the evolution of the plasma lipid profile in a group of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients given a supplement of a mixture of docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).


METHODS
Department of Physiological Sciences II, Medical School of the University of Barcelona and Guttmann Institut of Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.


METHODS
A total of 19 adult males with SCI, 17 with paraplegia and two with tetraplegia, were given a daily supplement of 1.5 g of DHA and 0.75 g of EPA for 6 months. Determination of plasma values of DHA, EPA, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, VLDL-c, triglycerides, and glucose was performed before supplementation and at 3 and 6 months of supplementation.


RESULTS
A statistically significant increase in the plasma concentration of EPA (F=30.556, P<0.05) and DHA (F=106.6, P<0.05) was observed after 3 and 6 months of supplementation. However, there were no observable differences in the plasma concentration of total-cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, VLDL-c, and triglycerides during the study.


CONCLUSIONS
DHA-EPA supplementation for 6 months does not modify the glycemic and lipid plasmatic levels in SCI patients. Despite its absence of effect on the serum lipid profile, n-3 fatty acids may induce beneficial cardiovascular effects in this population.
Javierre
C
C
Department of Physiological Sciences II, Medical School, Campus of Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Barcelona University, Spain.
Vidal
J
J
Segura
R
R
Medina
J
J
Garrido
E
E
D000284:Administration, Oral; D004035:Diet Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008055:Lipids