title: Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on lipoproteins in hypertriglyceridemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The treatment of hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) with ω-3 fatty acid preparations adds a novel therapy to reduce cardiovascular disease. This review examines the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid on lipoproteins and the cardioprotective effects in HTG.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The evidence that ω-3 fatty acid therapy at prescription strength is effective and safe at lowering triglyceride levels is growing. Although EPA/docosahexaenoic acid formulations did lower triglyceride levels, an increase in low-density lipoproteins was observed and outcome data were mixed. More recent trials have shown that decreased levels of low-density lipoprotein can be achieved with EPA preparations. Although the cardiovascular outcomes data are not fully available, meta-analysis of available data reports protection against vascular disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of ω-3 fatty acid treatment should be considered in patients with severe HTG as well as high-risk patients for atherosclerotic disease. Emerging data are supportive, but long-term outcome studies are still underway.
authors.affiliation: Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA.
authors.forename: Amish A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Budoff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008074:Lipoproteins; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid