title: Omega-3 fatty acids plus rosuvastatin improves endothelial function in South Asians with dyslipidemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of statins plus omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on endothelial function and lipid profile in South Asians with dyslipidemia and endothelial dysfunction, a population at high risk for premature coronary artery disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty subjects were randomized to rosuvastatin 10 mg and omega-3-PUFAs 4 g or rosuvastatin 10 mg. After 4 weeks, omega-3-PUFAs were removed from the first group and added to subjects in the second group. All subjects underwent baseline, 4-, and 8-week assessment of endothelial function and lipid profile.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to baseline, omega-3-PUFAs plus rosuvastatin improved endothelial-dependent vasodilation (EDV: -1.42% to 11.36%, p = 0.001), and endothelial-independent vasodilation (EIV: 3.4% to 17.37%, p = 0.002). These effects were lost when omega-3-PUFAs were removed (EDV: 11.36% to 0.59%, p = 0.003). In the second group, rosuvastatin alone failed to improve both EDV and EIV compared to baseline. However, adding omega-3-PUFAs to rosuvastatin, significantly improved EDV (-0.66% to 14.73%, p = 0.001) and EIV (11.02% to 24.5%, p = 0.001). Addition of omega-3-PUFAs further improved the lipid profile (triglycerides 139 to 91 mg/dl, p = 0.006, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 116 to 88 mg/dl, p = 0.014).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined therapy with omega-3-PUFAs and rosuvastatin improves endothelial function in South Asian subjects with dyslipidemia and endothelial dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Cardiovascular Center, Saint Vincent's Hospital Manhattan, 170 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10011, USA.
authors.forename: Catalin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mindrescu
authors.forename: Rakesh P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Eileen V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Hermance
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: DeVoe
authors.forename: Vikas R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Soma
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.forename: Cezar S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Staniloae