2 research outputs found
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from highly concentrated n-3 fatty acid ethyl esters is incorporated into advanced atherosclerotic plaques and higher plaque EPA is associated with decreased plaque inflammation and increased stability
ObjectiveTo examine n?3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) incorporation into atherosclerotic plaques and the association with plaque inflammation and stability.Methods and resultsPatients awaiting carotid endarterectomy (n = 121) were randomised to consume control capsules or n?3 PUFA ethyl ester capsules until surgery (median 21 days). The fatty acid compositions of plasma and carotid plaque phospholipids, plaque features, and expression of inflammatory genes were determined. The proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was higher (P < 0.0001) in carotid plaque phospholipids in patients in the n?3 PUFA group. Plaques from patients in the n?3 PUFA group had fewer foam cells (P = 0.0390). There were no other differences between plaques in the two groups with regard to histological characteristics or morphology. Plaque stability was not different between the two groups. However, the EPA content of plaque phospholipids was inversely associated with plaque instability (P = 0.0209), plaque inflammation (P = 0.0108), the number of T cells in the plaque (P = 0.0097) and a summary score considering a range of plaque features (P = 0.0425). Plaques from patients who received n?3 PUFAs had significantly lower levels of mRNA for matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-7 (P = 0.0055), -9 (P = 0.0048) and -12 (P = 0.0044) and for interleukin-6 (P = 0.0395) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (P = 0.0142).ConclusionsAtherosclerotic plaques readily incorporate EPA. A higher plaque EPA content is associated with a reduced number of foam cells and T cells, less inflammation and increased stability
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Effect of sex and genotype on cardiovascular biomarker response to fish oils: the FINGEN Study
Background: The lipid-modulatory effects of high intakes of the fish-oil fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are well established and likely to contribute to cardioprotective benefits. Objectives: We aimed to determine the effect of moderate EPA and DHA intakes (< 2 g EPA + DHA/d) on the plasma fatty acid profile, lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations, lipoprotein subclass distribution, and markers of oxidative status. We also aimed to examine the effect of age, sex, and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype on the observed responses. Design: Three hundred twelve adults aged 20-70 y, who were prospectively recruited according to age, sex, and APOE genotype, completed a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. Participants consumed control oil, 0.7 g EPA + DHA/d (0.7FO), and 1.8 g EPA + DHA/d (1.8FO) capsules in random order, each for an 8-wk intervention period, separated by 12-wk washout periods. Results: In the group as a whole, 8% and 11% lower plasma triacylglycerol concentrations were evident after 0.7FO and 1.8FO, respectively (P < 0.001): significant sex x treatment (P = 0.038) and sex x genotype x treatment (P = 0.032) interactions were observed, and the greatest triacylglycerol-lowering responses (reductions of 15% and 23% after 0.7FO and 1.8FO, respectively) were evident in APOE4 men. Furthermore, lower VLDL-cholesterol (P = 0.026) and higher LDL-cholesterol (P = 0.010), HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.001), and HDL2 (P < 0.001) concentrations were evident after fish-oil intervention. Conclusions: Supplements providing EPA + DHA at doses as low as 0.7 g/d have a significant effect on the plasma lipid profile. The results of the current trial, which used a prospective recruitment approach to examine the responses in population subgroups, are indicative of a greater triacylglycerol-lowering action of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in males than in females