title: Fish consumption, omega-3 fatty acids, and environmental contaminants in relation to low-grade inflammation and early atherosclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fish consumption and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake are shown to protect from cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, most fish contain environmental contaminants such as dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and methylmercury (MeHg) that may have adverse effects on cardiovascular health.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to elucidate the associations of fish consumption, omega-3 PUFAs, environmental contaminants with low-grade inflammation, early atherosclerosis, and traditional CVD risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Health 2000 survey participants (n=1173) represented the general Finnish population and the Fishermen study participants (n=255) represented a population with high fish consumption and high exposure to environmental contaminants. Model-adjusted geometric means and tests for linear trend were calculated for CVD risk factors by tertiles of fish consumption and serum omega-3 PUFAs, and additionally in the Fishermen study only, by tertiles of serum PCDD/F+PCB, and blood MeHg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum triglyceride decreased across omega-3 PUFA tertiles in both sexes and studies. Insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor α, and interleukin 6 decreased across omega-3 PUFA tertiles among the Health 2000 survey participants. Among the Fishermen study men, insulin resistance and arterial stiffness indicated by β-stiffness index tended to increase and the RR estimate for carotid artery plaque tended to decrease across tertiles of PCDD/F+PCB and MeHg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Previously established hypotriglyceridemic and anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 PUFAs were seen also in this study. The hypothesised favourable effect on insulin sensitivity and arterial elasticity was suggested to be counteracted by high exposure to environmental contaminants but the effect on plaque prevalence appeared not to be harmful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Neulaniementie 4, P.O. Box 95, FI-70210 Kuopio, Finland. anu.turunen@thl.fi
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Turunen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jula
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Suominen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Männistö
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marniemi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kiviranta
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tiittanen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karanko
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moilanen
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Nieminen
authors.forename: Y A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Kesäniemi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kähönen
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Verkasalo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017747:Seafood / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3