title: Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Bone Turnover in Older Women.
abstract: Animal and human studies indicate that omega (n)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can influence bone health. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the effects of n-3 long chain (LC) PUFA supplementation (N-3 LCPUFA) on red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid levels and bone turnover markers in older postmenopausal women. One hundred and twenty-six postmenopausal women (mean age 75±7 years) were treated with n-3 LCPUFA (1.2 g eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]/docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]/day, n=85) or placebo (olive oil, n=41) for 6 months. All women received 315 mg calcium citrate and 1000 IU cholecalciferol. RBC DHA (weight %) increased in the n-3 LCPUFA group, compared to no change in the placebo group (P<0.001). The ratio of DHA+EPA:arachidonic acid (AA) increased by 42 % in the n-3 LCPUFA group and by 5% in the placebo group (P<0.001). Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin decreased in the n-3 LCPUFA group (P<0.05) with no between-group difference. Short-term n-3 LCPUFA supplementation increased RBC concentrations of DHA and n-3:n-6 ratios. Bone turnover decreased with n-3 LCPUF, but not statistically compared to placebo. The results point to the need for investigations with greater dosages of n-3 LCPUFA for a longer duration to understand the contribution to bone metabolism in postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Hongli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hutchins-Wiese
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kleppinger
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Annis
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Liva
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lammi-Keefe
authors.forename: Holiday
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Durham
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Feinn
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kenny
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010919:Placebos; D017698:Postmenopause
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D010919:Placebos; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid
keywords: bone turnover; fish oil; low bone mass; omega-3 fatty acids; osteoporosis; postmenopausal women