Effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the arachidonic acid:eicosapentaenoic acid ratio.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the baseline arachidonic acid:eicosapentaenoic acid (AA:EPA) ratio in patients with coronary artery disease and healthy subjects, and whether supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids, administered as fish oil capsules, affects this ratio.


METHODS
Prospective, open-label trial.


METHODS
University-affiliated cardiology clinic.


METHODS
Thirty patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and 30 healthy subjects.


METHODS
All participants received omega-3 fatty acids 1.5 g/day for 4 weeks, followed by 3 g/day for an additional 4 weeks.


RESULTS
For each participant, a lipid profile was determined at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment with each dose. Other laboratory results analyzed were serum AA:EPA ratios, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, and blood glucose levels. Mean +/- SD baseline AA:EPA ratios were 39.6 +/- 19.0 in healthy subjects and 23.7 +/- 12.5 in patients with CAD. These ratios decreased significantly in both groups after treatment with 1.5 g/day of omega-3 fatty acids: 9.0 +/- 4.2 in healthy subjects and 10.3 +/- 8.8 in patients with CAD. After treatment with 3 g/day, the ratios were further reduced: 5.1 +/- 3.2 in healthy subjects and 4.9 +/- 2.6 in patients with CAD. Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids did not significantly affect hs-CRP, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or blood glucose levels. Triglyceride levels were not reduced in patients with CAD but were significantly decreased in healthy subjects (by 20% decrease with omega-3 fatty acids 1.5 g/day and by 32% decrease with 3 g/day).


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduced AA:EPA ratios in both healthy subjects and in patients with stable CAD. The treatment had no effect on hs-CRP levels in either group, and it reduced triglyceride levels in healthy subjects but not in patients with CAD.
Burns
Tammy
T
Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Omaha, Nebraska 68178, USA.
Maciejewski
Stephanie R
SR
Hamilton
William R
WR
Zheng
Margaret
M
Mooss
Aryan N
AN
Hilleman
Daniel E
DE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000187:drug effects; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000187:drug effects; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D014280:Triglycerides; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid