A randomised controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia in HIV-infected males on highly active antiretroviral therapy.
BACKGROUND
Hypertriglyceridaemia is a recognised metabolic abnormality in HIV-infected people, increasing in severity in people treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). An alternative treatment for hypertriglyceridaemia in non-HIV-infected populations is omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and placebo in lowering fasting triglyceride levels in HIV-infected patients on HAART.


METHODS
A placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind trial in participants on stable HAART with fasting triglycerides of >3.5 mm to 10.0 mm using 9 g of omega-3 fatty acids versus placebo (olive oil) after a 6-week lead in on dietary therapy.


RESULTS
Eleven patients were enrolled. The mean triglyceride level for the population decreased from 5.02 mm at baseline to 4.44 mm (-11.6%) after dietary intervention and 3.37 mm (-32.9%) after the 8-week treatment period. In the omega-3 fatty acid arm of the study, triglycerides fell from 5.34 mm to 5.02 mm (-6%) after dietary intervention and to 2.30 mm (-56.9%) after the treatment period. In the placebo arm of the study, triglycerides fell from 4.77 mm to 4.05 mm (-15.1%) after dietary intervention and to 4.08 mm (-14.5%) after the treatment period. Using the random effects model, a statistically significant effect on triglycerides of omega-3 fatty acid versus placebo was found (chi(2) = 6.04, P = 0.0487). The estimated difference between groups for change in mean triglycerides over 8 weeks was -2.32 mm (95% CI -4.52, -0.12 mm).


CONCLUSIONS
Omega-3 fatty acids are likely to be an effective treatment for hypertriglyceridaemia in HIV-infected males on HAART.
Carter
V M
VM
Department of Nutrition, The Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria 3181, Australia.
Woolley
I
I
Jolley
D
D
Nyulasi
I
I
Mijch
A
A
Dart
A
A
D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3