title: Omega-3 PUFAs improved endothelial function and arterial stiffness with a parallel antiinflammatory effect in adults with metabolic syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with adverse cardiovascular events, and impaired vascular function. In this study we evaluated the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) supplementation on vascular function, inflammatory and fibrinolytic process in subjects with MetS.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied the effect of a 12 weeks oral treatment with 2 g/day of omega-3 PUFAs in 29 (15 male) subjects (mean age 44 ± 12 years) with MetS on three occasions (day0: baseline, day 28 and day 84). The study was carried out on two separate arms (PUFAs and placebo), according to a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over design. The diagnosis of MetS was based on the guidelines of Adult Treatment Panel III definition. Endothelial function was evaluated by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured as an index of aortic stiffness. Serum levels of interleukin-6(IL-6) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) were measured by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with PUFAs resulted in a significant improvement from day 0 to 28 and 84 in FMD and PWV (p < 0.001 for all). Nevertheless, treatment with placebo resulted in no significant changes in FMD (p = 0.63) and PWV (p = 0.17). Moreover, PUFAs treatment, compared to placebo, decreased IL-6 levels (p = 0.03) and increased PAI-1 levels (p = 0.03). Finally, treatment with PUFAs resulted in a significant decrease in fasting triglyceride levels from day 0 to 28 and 84 (p < 0.001) and in serum total cholesterol levels (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In subjects with MetS, treatment with omega-3 PUFAs improved endothelial function and arterial stiffness with a parallel antiinflammatory effect.
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Department, University of Athens Medical School, "Hippokration" Hospital, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: drtousoulis@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tousoulis
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Department, University of Athens Medical School, "Hippokration" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Aris
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Plastiras
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Department, University of Athens Medical School, "Hippokration" Hospital, Athens, Greece; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Gerasimos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siasos
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Department, University of Athens Medical School, "Hippokration" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oikonomou
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Department, University of Athens Medical School, "Hippokration" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Aleksis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verveniotis
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Department, University of Athens Medical School, "Hippokration" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kokkou
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Department, University of Athens Medical School, "Hippokration" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maniatis
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Department, University of Athens Medical School, "Hippokration" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gouliopoulos
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Department, University of Athens Medical School, "Hippokration" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Antigoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miliou
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Department, University of Athens Medical School, "Hippokration" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Thodoris
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Paraskevopoulos
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Department, University of Athens Medical School, "Hippokration" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Christodoulos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology; D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism*; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008055:Lipids; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; C051321:SERPINE1 protein, human; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Arterial stiffness; Endothelial dysfunction; Endothelium; Fibrinolysis; Inflammation; Metabolic syndrome; Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids