SUPPLEMENTATION WITH OLIVE OIL RATHER THAN FISH-OIL INCREASES SMALL ARTERIAL COMPLIANCE IN DIABETIC-PATIENTS

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of dietary supplem entation with fish oil (polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids) or olive oil (monounsaturated fatty acids) on peripheral vascular compliance in diabetic human beings with incipient nephropathy. Twenty-eight patien ts with diabetes mellitus (15 men, 13 women, age: 43.8+/-14.1, diabete s duration: 11.8+/-11.8 (years+/-SD)) treated with insulin were random ized double-blinded. They were to receive daily, over a 6month period, either 6 capsules of fish oil, or 6 capsules of olive oil, in additio n to pre-existing therapy. No patients were hypertensive. The patients were examined by 24-hour blood pressure monitoring; peripheral arteri al and venous compliance (using photoplethysmography); digital vascula r resistance; albuminuria; p-fibrinogen; s-creatinine; s-cholesterol; s-HDL-cholesterol; s-triglyceride; HbA(1c); and blood glucose. Fish oi l increased fasting; blood glucose compared to olive oil (baseline;end of trial: fish oil: 8.8+/-4.5; 9.2+/-4.1, olive oil: 10.7+/-4.5; 8.6/-4.9 (mmol/l+/-SD), p<0.05). A decrease in arterial compliance was re gistered in the fish oil group; whereas an increase was registered in the olive oil group (baseline;end of trial: fish oil: 89+/-54; 68+/-35 , olive oil: 84+/-69; 108+/-42 (mu l/mmHg/100 ml+/-SD), p<0.01). No si gnificant changes between the two groups were registered among the oth er parameters. It is concluded that fish oil, in contrast to olive oil , has an unfavourable effect on peripheral arterial compliance in pati ents with diabetes mellitus as well as deteriorating their blood gluco se control.