THE ACUTE EFFECTS OF A SINGLE VERY HIGH-DOSE OF N-3 FATTY-ACIDS ON PLASMA-LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS IN HEALTHY-SUBJECTS

Forty healthy volunteers were allocated in a double blind, randomized study to receive either 20 g of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) or 20 g of n-6 PUFA at their evening meal. The effect on plasma Lipid s and Lipoproteins of this single dose of fish oil vs. corn oil was st udied the next morning, 14 h after ingestion. Plasma triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol significantly decreased (33% ) after n-3 PUFA (P < 0.001), and significantly (P < 0.01) more than a fter intake of n-6 PUFA. The decrease in plasma triglycerides after n- 3 PUFA ingestion was more pronounced in subjects with higher baseline levels of triglycerides (P < 0.001). Total cholesterol decreased after both supplements, but did not differ between the supplements. Low den sity lipoprotein-cholesterol did not change, and high density Lipoprot ein-cholesterol significantly decreased in subjects given n-3 PUFA com pared to baseline, but not when compared to subjects receiving n-6 PUF A. In conclusion, we have shown that a single very high dose of n-3 PU FA has a pronounced hypotriglyceridemic effect, which is directly rela ted to the initial plasma level.