Small supplements of N-3 fatty acids change serum low density lipoprotein composition by decreasing phospholipid and apolipoprotein B concentrations in young adult women

In order to investigate the effect of a short-term application of marine n- 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the composition of serum very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), and high density lipop roteins (HDL), nine women aged 29 +/- 4.2 years, following a diet with a SF A/MUFA/PUFA profile of 2.4/3/1, received supplements of six capsules daily, each capsule containing 0.137 g of n-3 fatty acids (14.5 % eicosapentaenoi c acid (EPA) and 8.9 % docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) for 10 d. Food consumpti on, assessed during two 10-days periods indicates that percentage contribut ion of SFA, MUFA, and PUFA to the daily energy intake did not change throug h the fish-oil supplementation period, but the daily consumption of n-3 fat ty acids increased 2.3 times. N-3 fatty supplementation increased EPA and D HA percentages in serum phospholipids, but failed to decrease (p > 0.05) th e cholesterol and triglyceride concentration in serum LDL and HDL, although it did so in VLDL. In contrast, the lipoprotein-phospholipid and lipoprote in-protein concentrations were markedly affected, mainly in LDL and HDL (at least p < 0.01). HDL and VLDL compositions were not affected but the total mass (lipid + protein in mg/dl) concentration of these lipoproteins signif icantly decreased (p < 0.05), suggesting a lower number of these particles in circulating blood after the n-3 treatment. The LDL-cholesterol/LDL-apoli poprotein B ratio increased (p < 0.01) reflecting a probable increase in LD L size. Following fish oil supplementation, LDL particles contained a signi ficantly lower amount of phospholipids, which also suggests changes in the surface/core ratio of the average LDL. Changes in serum lipoprotein lipids did not significantly correlate with any dietary change other than the n-3 fatty acid increase. The results indicate that a 10-day application of a sm all supplement of n-3 change the LDL composition leading to less atherogeni c LDL particles with lower phospholipid and apolipoprotein (Apo) B concentr ations.