The efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on plasma homocysteine and malondialdehyde levels of type 2 diabetic patients.
OBJECTIVE
Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of mortality among diabetic patients. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and homocysteine is believed to play a role in cardiovascular diseases. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation could be effective in some diabetes complications and in the control of the glycemic index. However, it may increase lipid peroxidation. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on the concentration of homocysteine and MDA in diabetic patients.


RESULTS
A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 81 patients with type 2 diabetes. The patients were randomly assigned to either the treatment or control groups. Each subject received three capsules of omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo every day for a period of 2months. The two groups were similar in terms of body mass index and food intake. At the beginning of the study and after 2months of supplementation their levels of HbA(1)c, homocysteine, MDA, C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and fasting blood sugar (FBS) were determined. Due to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, homocysteine was changed significantly in both treatment and control groups up to -3.10mumol/L and 0.10mumol/L respectively, and HbA(1)c decreased by 0.75% in the treatment group and increased by 0.26% in the control group. However, the changes in fasting blood sugar (FBS), malondialdehyde (MDA), C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The consumption of omega-3 fatty acid supplements (3g/day) for 2months decreases the levels of homocysteine in diabetic patients with no change in FBS, MDA and CRP levels.
Pooya
Sh
Sh
Department of Nutrition and Biochemistry, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Jalali
M Djalali
MD
Jazayery
A Djazayery
AD
Saedisomeolia
A
A
Eshraghian
M Reza
MR
Toorang
F
F
D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006710:Homocysteine; D008315:Malondialdehyde; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human