Lipid responses to a dietary docosahexaenoic acid supplement in men and women with below average levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol.
OBJECTIVE
To assess fasting lipid responses to a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplement in men and women with below-average levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.


METHODS
This randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial included 57 subjects, 21-80 years of age, with fasting HDL cholesterol concentrations < or =44 mg/dL (men) and < or =54 mg/dL (women), but > or =35 mg/dL. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 1.52 g/day DHA from capsules containing DHA-rich algal triglycerides or olive oil (control) for six weeks.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between groups in baseline lipid values. The DHA supplemented group showed significant changes [-43 (DHA) vs. -14 (controls) mg/dL, p = 0.015] and percent changes [-21% (DHA) vs. -7% (controls), p = 0.009] in triglycerides, total (12 vs. 3 mg/dL; p = 0.021 and 6% vs. 2%; p = 0.018) and low-density lipoprotein (17 vs. 3 mg/dL; p = 0.001 and 12% vs. 3%; p = 0.001) cholesterol concentrations, and in the triglyceride to HDL cholesterol ratio (-1.33 vs. -0.50, p = 0.010), compared with controls. In addition, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of LDL cholesterol carried by small, dense particles in the DHA supplemented group (changes = -10% vs. -3%, p = 0.025).


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with 1.52 g/d of DHA in men and women with below-average HDL cholesterol concentrations raised the LDL cholesterol level, but had favorable effects on triglycerides, the triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio and the fraction of LDL cholesterol carried by small, dense particles. Further research is warranted to evaluate the net impact of these alterations on cardiovascular risk.
Maki
Kevin C
KC
M.D., Radiant Development, 515 N. State St., 27th Floor, Chicago, IL 60610, USA.
Van Elswyk
Mary E
ME
McCarthy
Deanna
D
Hess
Serena P
SP
Veith
Patricia E
PE
Bell
Marjorie
M
Subbaiah
Papasani
P
Davidson
Michael H
MH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids