Stearidonic acid-enriched soybean oil increased the omega-3 index, an emerging cardiovascular risk marker.
A plant source of omega-3 fatty acid (FA) that can raise tissue eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is needed. A soybean oil (SBO) containing approximately 20% stearidonic acid [SDA; the delta-6 desaturase product of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)] derived from genetically modified soybeans is under development. This study compared the effects of EPA to SDA-SBO on erythrocyte EPA+DHA levels (the omega-3 index). Overweight healthy volunteers (n=45) were randomized to SDA-SBO (24 ml/day providing approximately 3.7 g SDA) or to regular SBO (control group) without or with EPA ethyl esters (approximately 1 g/day) for 16 weeks. Serum lipids, blood pressure, heart rate, platelet function and safety laboratory tests were measured along with the omega-3 index. A per-protocol analysis was conducted on 33 subjects (11 per group). Compared to baseline, average omega-3 index levels increased 19.5% in the SDA group and 25.4% in the EPA group (p<0.05 for both, vs. control). DHA did not change in any group. Relative to EPA, SDA increased RBC EPA with about 17% efficiency. No other clinical endpoints were affected by SDA or EPA treatment (vs. control). In conclusion, SDA-enriched SBO significantly raised the omega-3 index. Since EPA supplementation has been shown to raise the omega-3 index and to lower risk for cardiac events, SDA-SBO may be a viable plant-based alternative for providing meaningful intakes of cardioprotective omega-3 FAs.
Harris
William S
WS
Sanford Research/USD, 1100 East 21st Street, Suite 700, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA. harrisw@sanfordhealth.org
Lemke
Shawna L
SL
Hansen
Susan N
SN
Goldstein
Daniel A
DA
DiRienzo
Maureen A
MA
Su
Hong
H
Nemeth
Margaret A
MA
Taylor
Mary L
ML
Ahmed
Gulam
G
George
Cherian
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013024:Soybean Oil / Q000494:pharmacology*
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D013024:Soybean Oil; C062895:stearidonic acid