EFFECTS OF A NEW FISH-OIL CONCENTRATE ON PLASMA-LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTRIGLYCERIDEMIA

Objectives: The effect of a fish oil preparation, K-85, in which the o mega-3 fatty acid content was concentrated to 92% of total fat, on ser um lipid and lipoprotein concentrations was investigated in patients w ith primary hypertriglyceridaemia. Design: The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Setting: Seven centres partic ipated in the study, five secondary referral centres and two general p ractices. Subjects: Men and women aged 18-70 years with fasting serum triglyceride concentrations between 2 and 10 mmol/l and fasting serum cholesterol concentrations >5.2 mmol/l were studied. Patients with dia betes mellitus, hypothyroidism, serious illness in the previous 3 mont hs or severe concurrent illness were excluded from the study, as were drug or alcohol abusers and pregnant and lactating women. Ninety-five subjects entered the study, 79 completed the study. Interventions: Pat ients were randomized to receive K-85 2 g twice daily or corn oil 2 g twice daily for 14 weeks. Main outcome measurements: The serum concent rations of triglycerides and cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and lipoprotein (a). Fasting blood glucose and blood pressure. Result s: Serum triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol were significantly lower i n the group treated with K-85 than in the placebo group after 6, 10 an d 14 weeks (all P < 0.01) and there was a decrease in the serum trigly ceride concentration from 3.99 (2.94-9.47) to 2.87 (1.2-9.93) mmol/l ( P < 0.001) and in VLDL-cholesterol from 1.47 (0.77-3.63) to 1.12 (0.21 -3.67) mmol/l (P < 0.01) in patients receiving K-85. Serum HDL-cholest erol increased from 0.98 (0.95-1.01) to 1.11 (1.07-1.15) mmol/l (P < 0 .01) in the patients with type IV hyperlipoproteinaemia but did not ch ange in those with type IIb. Serum LDL-cholesterol, lipoprotein (a) an d fasting blood glucose were unaffected by K-85. Diastolic blood press ure decreased from 86 +/- 11 to 80 +/- 12 mmHg (P < 0.02) and was also lower than in the placebo group (P < 0.05). The corn oil placebo did not affect any of the parameters. Conclusion: K-85 is effective in low ering serum triglycerides and VLDL in patients with primary hypertrigl yceridaemia and may have utility as a triglyceride-lowering agent. Spo nsorship: This study was supported by Pronova Biocare, Oslo, Norway.