MODERATE INTAKE OF N-3 FATTY-ACIDS FOR 2 MONTHS HAS NO DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON GLUCOSE-METABOLISM AND COULD AMELIORATE THE LIPID PROFILE IN TYPE-2 DIABETIC MEN - RESULTS OF A CONTROLLED-STUDY

OBJECTIVE - To evaluate the effect of a moderate dose of fish oil on g lycemic control and in vivo insulin action in type 2 diabetic men with elevated plasma triacylglycerols and to determine the effect of the s ame treatment on gene expression of GLUT4, lipoprotein lipase (LPL), a nd hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in the abdominal adipose tissue. RES EARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - A total of 12 type 2 diabetic men were rand omly allocated to 2 months of 6 g daily of either fish oil or sunflowe r oil, separated by a 2-month washout interval, in a double-blind cros sover design. RESULTS - For glucose metabolism, 2 months of fish oil s upplementation compared with sunflower oil led to similar fasting plas ma insulin, glucose, and HbA(1c). Basal hepatic glucose production did not increase after fish oil. There was no difference in insulin suppr ession of hepatic glucose production nor in insulin stimulation of who le-body glucose disposal measured by the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic c lamp. Fish oil did not ameliorate the low mRNA level of GLUT4 in adipo se tissue of these patients. For lipid profile, fish oil lowered plasm a triacylglycerol more than sunflower oil (P < 0.05) and tended to inc rease the amount of mRNA of both LPL and HSL in adipose tissue. CONCLU SIONS - A moderate dose of fish oil did not lead to deleterious effect s on glycemic control or whole-body insulin sensitivity in type 2 diab etic men, with preserved triacylglycerol-lowering capacities.