title: Effect of diet or very long chain omega-3 fatty acids on progression of atherosclerosis, evaluated by carotid plaques, intima-media thickness and by pulse wave propagation in elderly men with hypercholesterolaemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This randomized study targeted a comparison of the effect of 3-year diet counselling or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation (2.4 g/day) on the progression of atherosclerosis in carotid arteries and on finger pulse wave propagation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements were assessed by high-resolution B-mode ultrasound and a photopletysmographic finger pulse-sensor, respectively. Altogether, 563 elderly men with long-standing hyperlipidaemia were randomized into four groups: controls (no dietary counselling and placebo); dietary counselling (and placebo); omega-3 PUFA supplementation (no dietary counselling); dietary counselling and omega-3 PUFA supplementation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the diet only group, the carotid intima-media thickness increase (0.929 to 0.967 mm) was significantly less than in the control group (0.909 to 0.977 mm), (P = 0.018). Significant increase in carotid plaques score and plaques area were observed in all four groups, but without between group differences. Changes in carotid intima-media thickness and in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were negatively correlated (adjusted P < 0.001). Pulse wave propagation time decreased significantly in the control group (206 to 198 ms; P = 0.002), reflecting reduced arterial elasticity. In the group receiving omega-3 PUFA only, pulse wave propagation time increased significantly when compared with the control group (P = 0.013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reduced progression in carotid intima-media thickness was observed after dietary counselling, whereas omega-3 PUFA supplementation imposed a favourable effect on arterial elasticity.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Research, Ullevaal University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. elsah.jerkinn@ulleval.no
authors.forename: Elsa M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hjerkinn
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdelnoor
authors.forename: Liv
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Breivik
authors.forename: Lise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bergengen
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ellingsen
authors.forename: Ingebjørg
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Seljeflot
authors.forename: Ottar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Aase
authors.forename: Tor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ole Klemsdal
authors.forename: Ingvar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hjermann
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arnesen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D018450:Disease Progression; D002149:Energy Intake; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3