Dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in early childhood: effects on blood pressure and arterial structure and function at age 8 y.
BACKGROUND
n-3 Fatty acid supplementation in adults results in cardiovascular benefits. However, the cardiovascular effects of n-3 supplementation in early childhood are unknown.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to evaluate blood pressure (BP) and arterial structure and function in 8-y-old children who had participated in a randomized controlled trial of dietary n-3 and n-6 modification over the first 5 y of life.


METHODS
The children (n = 616; 49% girls) were randomly assigned antenatally to active (n = 312; increase in n-3 intake and decrease in n-6 intake) or control (n = 304) diet interventions implemented from the time of weaning or introduction of solids until 5 y of age. At age 8.0 +/- 0.1 y, BP, carotid intima-media thickness, carotid artery distensibility, augmentation index, and brachial pulse wave velocity were measured in 405 of these children. Venous blood was collected for measurement of plasma fatty acids, lipoproteins, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and asymmetric dimethylarginine. Plasma fatty acid concentrations were also assessed during the intervention.


RESULTS
Plasma concentrations of n-3 fatty acids were higher and of n-6 were lower in the active than in the control diet group at 18 mo and 3 and 5 y (P < 0.0001). Concentrations of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids were similar at 8 y. At 8 y of age, no significant differences were found in BP, carotid intima-media thickness, carotid artery distensibility, augmentation index, asymmetric dimethylarginine, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, or lipoproteins between diet groups.


CONCLUSIONS
A dietary supplement intervention to increase n-3 and decrease n-6 intakes from infancy until 5 y does not result in significant improvements in arterial structure and function at age 8 y. This trial was registered at the Australian Clinical Trials Registry as ACTRN012605000042640.
Ayer
Julian G
JG
Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Sydney, Australia.
Harmer
Jason A
JA
Xuan
Wei
W
Toelle
Brett
B
Webb
Karen
K
Almqvist
Catarina
C
Marks
Guy B
GB
Celermajer
David S
DS
D001315:Australia; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003187:Compliance / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D014655:Vascular Resistance
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D002097:C-Reactive Protein