Omega-3 fatty acid concentrates in the treatment of moderate hypertriglyceridemia.
BACKGROUND
Moderate hypertriglyceridemia is fairly common, and elevated triglycerides are a risk factor for coronary heart disease. The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA have been shown to lower triglycerides in many clinical studies. Prescription omega-3 fatty acid concentrates (P-OM3) are indicated for use in people with very high triglycerides (> 500 mg/dl). Current guidelines recommend that triglycerides should be less < 150 mg/dl.


OBJECTIVE
This review provides an overview of the use of omega-3 concentrates (both P-OM3 and over-the-counter fish oil) to lower triglycerides in people who have moderate hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides in the range of 150 - 500 mg/dl). The objectives were to examine clinical evidence, describe the magnitude of effects and predict future clinical use of P-OM3.


METHODS
Published, peer-reviewed studies of omega-3 concentrates were included if they were placebo-controlled, double-blind, of sufficient size to demonstrate triglyceride lowering, and studied a population described as having a mean baseline triglyceride value of 150 - 500 mg/dl. Studies using the 4-g dose of P-OM3 were used to develop a model of percent triglyceride lowering as a function of baseline levels.


CONCLUSIONS
P-OM3 are effective in reducing triglycerides by approximately 30% in this population and are likely to be combined with other drugs (e.g., statins) to treat combined dyslipidemia.
Skulas-Ray
Ann C
AC
Pennsylvania State University, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University Park, PA, USA. ann.skulas@gmail.com
West
Sheila G
SG
Davidson
Michael H
MH
Kris-Etherton
Penny M
PM
D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D005395:Fish Oils; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid