title: Lipoprotein subfractions and dietary intake of n-3 fatty acid: the Genetics of Coronary Artery Disease in Alaska Natives study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have compared lipoprotein composition with dietary intake.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The lipoprotein subfraction profile was evaluated in relation to diet in Alaska Eskimos at high cardiovascular risk but with a low frequency of hyperlipidemia and high intake of n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based sample (n = 1214) from the Norton Sound Region of Alaska underwent a physical examination and blood sampling. Analyses were from 977 individuals who did not have diabetes or use lipid-lowering medications and had complete dietary information (food-frequency questionnaire) and a lipoprotein subfraction profile (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for age, BMI, total energy intake, and percentage of energy from fat, the intake of n-3 fatty acids was significantly associated with fewer large VLDLs (P = 0.022 in women, P = 0.064 in men), a smaller VLDL size (P = 0.018 and P = 0.036), more large HDLs (P = 0.179 and P = 0.021), and a larger HDL size (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001). After adjustment for carbohydrate and sugar intakes, large VLDLs (P = 0.042 and 0.018) and VLDL size (P = 0.011 and 0.025) remained negatively associated with n-3 fatty acid intake in women and men, and large HDLs (P = 0.067 and 0.005) and HDL size (P = 0.001 in both) remained positively associated with n-3 fatty acid intake in women and men. In addition, large LDLs (P = 0.040 and P = 0.025) were positively associated in both sexes, and LDL size (P = 0.006) showed a positive association in women. There were no significant relations with total LDL particles in either model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietary n-3 fatty acids, independent of the reciprocal changes in carbohydrate and sugar intakes, are associated with an overall favorable lipoprotein profile in terms of cardiovascular risk. Because there are no relations with total LDL particles, the benefit may be related to cardiovascular processes other than atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Annuzzi
authors.forename: Angela A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rivellese
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Patti
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vaccaro
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Riccardi
authors.forename: Sven Oe
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Ebbesson
authors.forename: Anthony G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Comuzzie
authors.forename: Jason G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Umans
authors.forename: Barbara V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000208:ethnology*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000208:ethnology; D004930:Inuit; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL