Comparison of pharmacokinetics of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in monoacylglycerol or ethyl ester in humans: a randomized controlled trial

Laurie Chevalier,Mélanie Plourde

doi:10.1038/s41430-020-00767-4

Abstract

BackgroundA diet low in omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) results in low plasma concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the two main long chain n-3 FA. n-3 FA supplements on the market are esterified in triglycerides (TG) or ethyl ester (EE); the latter is absorbed less than other esterification forms. The objective of this study was to test and compare the pharmacokinetics of n-3 FA esterified in monoacylglycerides (MAG), a predigested form, with the EE form.MethodsThis study was a randomized, double-blind, crossover, controlled, clinical trial. Ten men and ten women between 18 and 60 years old were recruited. Participants received a single oral dose of 3 g of n-3 FA esterified in EE or MAG. Eleven blood samples were collected over 24 h post-dose. Plasma total lipids were extracted, methylated, and analyzed using gas chromatography.ResultsAfter receiving the MAG form, plasma EPA and DHA peaked at a concentration 3 and 2.5 times higher, respectively, than with the EE form. When provided in MAG form, n-3 FA plasma concentration during the absorption phase was on average 3–5 times higher than in EE form. When n-3 FAs were provided esterified in MAG, their concentration 24 h post-dose was higher than in EE. Males had a lower n-3 FA plasma concentration than females when n-3 FAs were provided in EE but there was no sexe difference when provided in MAG.ConclusionsPlasma concentration of DHA and EPA was higher when provided in MAG than EE form.

Highlights

Background A diet low in omega3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) results in low plasma concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the two main long chain n-3 FA. n-3 FA supplements on the market are esterified in triglycerides (TG) or ethyl ester (EE); the latter is absorbed less than other esterification forms
The % of EPA, DHA, and EPA + DHA relative to other plasma fatty acids were on average five times higher when provided as MAG vs. EE (p < 0.0001, p = 0.001, p < 0.0001) (Fig. 2b–d)
The results show that following supplementation with the EE form, females had a plasma concentration 2.7 times higher during the absorption phase (p = 0.0111), 1.8 times higher 24-h plasma concentration (p = 0.0006) and 1.7 times higher maximum concentration (p = 0.0295) compared to males (Fig. 3a)

Summary

Introduction

Background A diet low in omega3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) results in low plasma concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the two main long chain n-3 FA. n-3 FA supplements on the market are esterified in triglycerides (TG) or ethyl ester (EE); the latter is absorbed less than other esterification forms. 3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) results in low plasma concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the two main long chain n-3 FA. N-3 FA supplements on the market are esterified in triglycerides (TG) or ethyl ester (EE); the latter is absorbed less than other esterification forms. The objective of this study was to test and compare the pharmacokinetics of n-3 FA esterified in monoacylglycerides (MAG), a predigested form, with the EE form. Dietary fat intake and the type of fat consumed changed dramatically in the last century [1]. Today’s diet contains more saturated fat, trans fat and omega-6 polyunsaturated fat and less omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic

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