title: Anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and plant sterols in hyperlipidemic individuals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Risk factors of cardiovascular disease such as lipid aberrations, hypertension, abdominal adiposity and elevations in systemic inflammation, are prominent aetiologies in hyperlipidemia. Supplementation with n-3 PUFA is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular events through its hypotriglyceridemic, anti-aggregatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Plant sterols have potent hypocholesterolemic properties, although their effect on the inflammatory cascade is uncertain. This study investigated the effect of combined supplementation with n-3 PUFA and plant sterols on cardiovascular risk factors, blood pressure, body composition, markers of systemic inflammation and overall risk, in hyperlipidemic individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a 3-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 x 2 factorial design, in four parallel groups. Sixty hyperlipidemic participants were randomised to receive either sunola oil or 1.4 g/d n-3 PUFA capsules with or without 2g plant sterols per day.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The combination of n-3 PUFA and plant sterols reduced several inflammatory markers. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was reduced by 39% (P=0.009), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by 10% (P=0.02), interleukin-6 (IL-6) by 10.7% (P=0.009), leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) by 29.5% (P=0.01) and adiponectin was increased by 29.5% (P=0.05). Overall cardiovascular risk was reduced by 22.6% (P=0.006) in the combination group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have demonstrated, for the first time that dietary intervention with n-3 PUFA and plant sterols reduces systemic inflammation in hyperlipidemic individuals. Furthermore, our results suggest that reducing inflammation provides a potential mechanism by which the combination of n-3 PUFA and plant sterols are cardioprotective.
authors.affiliation: Nutraceuticals Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Micallef
authors.forename: Manohar L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Garg
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001823:Body Composition; D002214:Capsules; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002214:Capsules; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008055:Lipids; D010840:Phytosterols