title: The effect of low-dose marine n-3 fatty acids on plasma levels of sCD36 in overweight subjects: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: CD36 is a scavenger receptor involved in lipid uptake and inflammation. Recently, non-cell-bound CD36 (sCD36) was identified in plasma and suggested to be a marker of lipid accumulation in the vessel wall. Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may have cardioprotective effects. This study evaluated the effect of marine n-3 PUFA on sCD36 levels in overweight subjects. Fifty overweight subjects were randomized to 1.1 g of n-3 PUFA or 2 g of olive oil daily for six weeks. Neutrophils were isolated at baseline and after six weeks of treatment while an adipose tissue biopsy was obtained at baseline. The content of n-3 PUFA in adipose tissue and neutrophils was analyzed by gas chromatography, while plasma levels of sCD36 were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After six weeks of supplement plasma sCD36 did not differ between supplements (P = 0.18). There was no significant correlation between plasma sCD36 levels and n-3 PUFA in neutrophils at baseline (r = -0.02, P = 0.88), after six weeks supplement (r = -0.03, P = 0.85) or in adipose tissue (r = 0.14, P = 0.34). This study therefore does not provide evidence for a cardioprotective effect of n-3 PUFA acting through a CD36-dependent mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg 9000, Denmark. s.venoe@rn.dk
authors.forename: Stine Krogh
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Venø
authors.forename: Michael René Skjelbo
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Søren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lundbye-Christensen
authors.forename: Erik Berg
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Aase
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Handberg
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018955:CD36 Antigens / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000069463:Olive Oil; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018955:CD36 Antigens; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils