title: Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on arterial stiffness in patients with hypertension: a randomized pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Omega-3 fatty acids prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in patients with myocardial infarction or heart failure. Benefits in patients without overt CVD have not been demonstrated, though most studies did not use treatment doses (3.36 g) of omega-3 fatty acids. Arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) predicts CVD events independent of standard risk factors. However, no therapy has been shown to reduce PWV in a blood pressure-independent manner. We assessed the effects of esterified omega-3 fatty acids on PWV and serum markers of inflammation among patients with hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a prospective, randomized; double-blinded pilot study of omega-3 fatty acids among 62 patients in an urban, safety net hospital. Patients received 3.36 g of omega-3 fatty acids vs. matched placebo daily for 3-months. The principal outcome measure was change in brachial-ankle PWV. Serum inflammatory markers associated with CVD risk were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority (71 %) were of Latino ethnicity. After 3-months, mean change in arterial PWV among omega-3 and placebo groups was -97 cm/s vs. -33 cm/s respectively (p = 0.36 for difference, after multivariate adjustment for baseline age, systolic blood pressure, and serum adiponectin). Non-significant reductions in lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LpPLA2) mass and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) relative to placebo were also observed (p = 0.08, and 0.21, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-dose omega-3 fatty acids did not reduce arterial PWV or markers of inflammation among patients within a Latino-predominant population with hypertension.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT00935766 , registered July 8 2009.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, Denver Health Medical Center, 777 Bannock St., MC0960, Denver, CO, 80204, USA. mkrantz@dhha.org.|Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E 17th Pl., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. mkrantz@dhha.org.
authors.forename: Mori J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Krantz
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, Denver Health Medical Center, 777 Bannock St., MC0960, Denver, CO, 80204, USA. Edward.havranek@dhha.org.|Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E 17th Pl., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. Edward.havranek@dhha.org.
authors.forename: Edward P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Havranek
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E 17th Pl., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. Rocio.pereira@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Rocio I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Colorado Health Outcomes Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13199 E. Montview Blvd. Suite 300, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. Brenda.beaty@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Beaty
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E 17th Pl., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. Philip.Mehler@dhha.org.
authors.forename: Philip S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Mehler
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, Denver Health Medical Center, 777 Bannock St., MC0960, Denver, CO, 80204, USA. Clong@dhha.org.|Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E 17th Pl., Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. Clong@dhha.org.
authors.forename: Carlin S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Long
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3