title: Comparison of the effects of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and fenofibrate on markers of inflammation and vascular function, and on the serum lipoprotein profile in overweight and obese subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA), with those of fenofibrate, on markers of inflammation and vascular function, and on the serum lipoprotein profile in overweight and obese subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty overweight and obese subjects participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial and received 3.7 g/d n-3 fatty acids (providing 1.7 g/d EPA and 1.2 g/d DHA), 200 mg fenofibrate or placebo treatment for 6 weeks separated by a 2 weeks wash-out period. Fish oil and fenofibrate treatment reduced triglyceride (-0.61 ± 0.81 mmol/L, P < 0.001, and -0.34 ± 0.85 mmol/L, P = 0.048, respectively) and increased HDL cholesterol concentrations (0.13 ± 0.21 mmol/L, P = 0.013, and 0.10 ± 0.18 mmol/L, P = 0.076), as reflected by a decrease of large very VLDL particles and increases of large HDL particles and medium size HDL particles. Fish oil increased serum LDL cholesterol concentrations (0.34 ± 0.59 mmol/L, P = 0.013). Fenofibrate reduced concentrations of soluble endothelial selectin (sE-selectin) (-4.1 ± 7.5 ng/mL, P = 0.032), but increased those of macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1) (28 ± 55 ng/mL, P = 0.034). Fish oil had no effects on these markers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although n-3 LCPUFA and fenofibrate can both activate PPARα, they have differential effects on cardiovascular risk markers. In overweight and obese subjects fenofibrate (200 mg/d) or n-3 LCPUFA (3.7 g/d) treatment for 6 weeks did not improve markers for low-grade systemic inflammation, while fenofibrate had more profound effects on plasma lipids and markers for vascular activity compared to fish oil. Registration number clinical trials EudraCT 2006-005743-28.
authors.affiliation: Nutrigenomics Consortium, Top Institute Food and Nutrition, PO BOX 557, 6700 AN Wageningen, The Netherlands. m.bragt@maastrichtuniversity.nl
authors.forename: M C E
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bragt
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Mensink
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D011345:Fenofibrate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood*; D047493:PPAR alpha / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C111835:CCL2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019040:E-Selectin; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D047493:PPAR alpha; D014280:Triglycerides; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D011345:Fenofibrate