The effects of low dose n-3 fatty acids on serum lipid profiles and insulin resistance of the elderly: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
N-3 fatty acids have several beneficial effects on dyslipidemia and diabetes, conditions which are prevalent in the elderly. This study assessed the effects of low-dose n-3 fatty acids on serum lipid profile, lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein B, fasting glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance in a group of elderly Iranians.


METHODS
A 6-month randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out in 124 elderly residents of Kahrizak Charity Foundation aged >or= 65. The intervention group was supplemented with 1 g/day fish oil capsule (with 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA; and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid, DHA; a total of 300 mg n-3 fatty acids as effective constituents). Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and after 6 months of the trial.


RESULTS
There were no significant effects of fish oil on the studied variables in the intervention group. In the placebo group, serum triglyceride significantly increased and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly decreased (p = 0.01 and p = 0.009, respectively). By repeated measurement analysis after adjustments, the overall decrease in serum triglycerides compared with placebo was significant (p = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with low dose n-3 fatty acids for 6 months could significantly protect elderly Iranians from a rise in serum triglycerides.
Fakhrzadeh
Hossein
H
Cardiology, Dr Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. fakhrzad@tums.ac.ir
Ghaderpanahi
Maryam
M
Sharifi
Farshad
F
Mirarefin
Mojde
M
Badamchizade
Zohre
Z
Kamrani
Ahmad-Ali Akbari
AA
Larijani
Bagher
B
D000368:Aged; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000494:pharmacology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007492:Iran; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male
D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D008049:Lipase