Effects of n-3 fatty acid supplements on glycemic traits in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.
To investigate the effects of n-3 fatty acid supplements, both marine and plant-based, on glycemic traits in Chinese type 2 diabetes patients.



In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 185 recruited Chinese type 2 diabetes patients were randomized to either fish oil (FO, n = 63), flaxseed oil (FSO, n = 61), or corn oil group (served as control group, n = 61) for 180 days. The patients were asked to take corresponding oil capsules (four capsules/day), which totally provided 2 g/day of eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid in FO group and 2.5 g/day of alpha-linolenic acid in FSO group. No group × time interaction was observed for homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, fasting insulin, or glucose. Significant group × time interaction (P = 0.035) was observed for glycated hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c), with HbA1c decreased in FO group compared with corn oil group (P = 0.037). We also found significant group × time interactions for lipid traits, including LDL cholesterol (P = 0.043), total cholesterol (P = 0.021), total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (P = 0.009), and triacylglycerol (P = 0.003), with the lipid profiles improved in FO group. No significant effects of FSO on glycemic traits or blood lipids were observed.



Marine n-3 PUFA supplements may improve glycemic control and lipid profiles among Chinese type 2 diabetic patients.
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.|Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK.
Ju-Sheng
JS
Zheng
Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan Puai Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Mei
M
Lin
Second Provincial People's Hospital of Gansu, Lanzhou, China.
Ling
L
Fang
Department of Endocrinology, Changshan People's Hospital, Changshan, China.
Ying
Y
Yu
Department of Endocrinology, Changshan People's Hospital, Changshan, China.
Liping
L
Yuan
Second Provincial People's Hospital of Gansu, Lanzhou, China.
Yongxin
Y
Jin
Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan Puai Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Jueping
J
Feng
College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
Ling
L
Wang
Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan Puai Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Hong
H
Yang
Second Provincial People's Hospital of Gansu, Lanzhou, China.
Weiyu
W
Chen
Second Provincial People's Hospital of Gansu, Lanzhou, China.
Dandan
D
Li
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Jun
J
Tang
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Wenwen
W
Cai
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Meiqi
M
Shi
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Zihao
Z
Li
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Fenglei
F
Wang
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. duoli@zju.edu.cn.
Duo
D
Li
D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003314:Corn Oil / Q000494:pharmacology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008043:Linseed Oil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D003314:Corn Oil; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008043:Linseed Oil
Randomized controlled trial; Type 2 diabetes; n-3 Fatty acids