title: Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein and interleukin-2 in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can alter the inflammatory response in diabetic patients. This study aimed to determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-2 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 84 subjects aged 45-85 years with at least a two-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Participants were randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. Each subject in the treatment group received three omega-3 capsules per day (eicosapentaenoic acid 1,548 mg; docosahexaenoic acid 828 mg; other omega-3 fatty acids 338 mg), while each subject in the control group received three placebo capsules (sunflower oil 2,100 mg) for a period of eight weeks. At the beginning of the study and post intervention, fasting blood samples were taken and serum concentrations of IL-2, TNF-α and CRP were assessed and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum IL-2 and TNF-α levels were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared to the controls (p < 0.01). There was no significant change in serum CRP levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (3 g/day for eight weeks) can decrease the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-2 in diabetic patients, with no change in CRP levels. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acid supplements is highly recommended to alleviate inflammation caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malekshahi Moghadam
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saedisomeolia
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Djalali
authors.forename: Abolghasem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Djazayery
authors.forename: Shabnam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pooya
authors.forename: Fereshteh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sojoudi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein