EFFECT OF OMEGA-3-FATTY-ACID ON PLASMA-LIPIDS, CHOLESTEROL AND LIPOPROTEIN FATTY-ACID CONTENT IN NIDDM PATIENTS

This study was conducted to examine the effect of omega 3 fatty acid s upplementation on plasma lipid, cholesterol and lipoprotein fatty acid content of non-insulin-dependent diabetic individuals consuming a hig her (0.65, n = 10) or lower (0.44, n = 18) ratio of dietary polyunsatu rated to saturated fatty acid (P/S). The participants were initially g iven an olive oil supplement (placebo) equivalent to 35 mg of 18:1 . k g body weight(-1). day(-1) for 3 months. This was followed by two omeg a 3 supplement periods in a randomized crossover. In these 3-month per iods, participants were given a linseed oil supplement equivalent to 3 5 mg of 18:3 omega 3 . kg body weight(-1). day(-1) or a fish oil suppl ement equivalent to 35 mg of 20:5 omega 3+22:6 omega 3 . kg body weigh t(-1). day(-1). At the end of each supplement period, a blood sample w as drawn from each participant for lipid, lipoprotein, insulin, glucag on and C-peptide analyses. At the end of each 3-month period a 7-day d ietary record was completed to calculate dietary fat intake and P/S ra tio. Results indicate that fish oil significantly reduced plasma triac ylglycerol level (p<0.05) and increased 20:5 omega 3 and 22:6 omega 3 content of all lipoprotein lipid classes. Linolenic acid supplementati on had no effect on plasma triacylglycerol level, but it increased 18: 3 omega 3 content of lipoprotein cholesterol ester fractions (p<0.05). A slight increase in 20:5 omega 3, but not 22:6 omega 3, content was noted in lipoprotein lipid classes as a result of 18:3 omega 3 supplem entation. LDL and HDL cholesterol, insulin, glucagon and C-peptide lev els were not affected by either omega 3 supplement. It is concluded th at a modest intake of omega 3 fatty acids, such as could be obtained f rom consuming fish regularly, will reduce plasma triglyceride level wi thout affecting LDL or HDL cholesterol levels.