The association between n-3 fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes and insulin resistance: the Inuit Health in Transition Study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between the content of n-3 fatty acids and insulin resistance in an Inuit population.


METHODS
The Inuit Health in Transition Study was carried out between 2003 and 2007 in Greenland as a cross-sectional study. Our preliminary results are based on the first 452 participants aged 18 and above. Only participants with at least 1 Inuit grandparent and without diabetes were included.


METHODS
The contents of n-3 fatty acids and the n-3/n-6 ratio were measured in the erythrocyte membrane phospholipids. BMI was calculated and questions concerning diabetes and ethnicity were answered. Insulin resistance was estimated using the HOMA-IR index based on fasting-glucose and fasting-insulin.


RESULTS
We found an inverse association between C20:5 n-3 (EPA), C22:3 n-3, the n-3/n-6 ratio and HOMA-IR and a positive association between C18:3 n-3 cis and HOMA-IR. When adjusted for age, gender, BMI and ethnicity, the association remained statistically significant for C20:5 n-3 (EPA), C22:3 n-3 and C18:3 n-3 cis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that some types of n-3 fatty acids may have a protective effect against insulin resistance. The role of potential confounders such as physical activity, diet, energy intake, socio-economic status and contaminants deserves further exploration.
Thorseng
Trine
T
Steno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, 2820 Denmark. t_thorseng@hotmail.com
Witte
Daniel R
DR
Vistisen
Dorte
D
Borch-Johnsen
Knut
K
Bjerregaard
Peter
P
Jørgensen
Marit E
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006116:Greenland; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000502:physiology*; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3