title: Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of circulating omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids with lipoprotein particle concentrations and sizes: population-based cohort study with 6-year follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cross-sectional studies have suggested that serum omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are related to favorable lipoprotein particle concentrations. We explored the associations of serum n-3 and n-6 PUFAs with lipoprotein particle concentrations and sizes in a general population cohort at baseline and after 6 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cohort included 665 adults (274 men) with a 6-year follow-up. Nutritional counseling was given at baseline. Serum n-3 and n-6 PUFAs and lipoprotein particle concentrations and the mean particle sizes of VLDL, LDL, and HDL were quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for all baseline and follow-up samples at the same time. Concentrations of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs were expressed relative to total fatty acids. At baseline, n-3 PUFAs were not associated with lipoprotein particle concentrations. A weak negative association was observed for VLDL (P = 0.021) and positive for HDL (P = 0.011) particle size. n-6 PUFA was negatively associated with VLDL particle concentration and positively with LDL (P < 0.001) and HDL particle size (P < 0.001). The 6-year change in n-3 PUFA correlated positively with the change in particle size for HDL and LDL lipoproteins but negatively with VLDL particle size. An increase in 6-year levels of n-6 PUFAs was negatively correlated with the change in VLDL particle concentration and size, and positively with LDL particle size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Change in circulating levels of both n-3 and n-6 PUFAs, relative to total fatty acids, during 6 years of follow-up are associated with changes in lipoprotein particle size and concentrations at the population level.
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio 70211, Finland. pekka.mantyselka@uef.fi.
authors: Pekka
authors: P
authors: Mäntyselkä
authors: Leo
authors: L
authors: Niskanen
authors: Hannu
authors: H
authors: Kautiainen
authors: Juha
authors: J
authors: Saltevo
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Würtz
authors: Pasi
authors: P
authors: Soininen
authors: Antti J
authors: AJ
authors: Kangas
authors: Mika
authors: M
authors: Ala-Korpela
authors: Mauno
authors: M
authors: Vanhala
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL