Abstract
Targeting kinases linked to insulin resistance (IR) and inflammation may help in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in its early stages. This study aimed to determine whether DHA-rich fish oil supplementation reduces glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3), which is linked to both IR and AD. Baseline and post-intervention plasma samples from 58 adults with abdominal obesity (Age: 51.7 ± 1.7 years, BMI: 31.9 ± 0.8 kg/m2) were analysed for outcome measures. Participants were allocated to 2 g DHA-rich fish oil capsules (860 mg DHA + 120 mg EPA) (n = 31) or placebo capsules (n = 27) per day for 12 weeks. Compared to placebo, DHA-rich fish oil significantly reduced GSK-3β by −2.3 ± 0.3 ng/mL. An inverse correlation (p < 0.05) was found between baseline insulin and IR and their changes following intervention only in participants with C-reactive protein levels higher than 2.4 mg/L. DHA-rich fish oil reduces GSK-3 and IR, suggesting a potential role of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn-3PUFA) in ameliorating AD risk.
Highlights
Obesity is a major global epidemic [1]
The results in the present study indicate a narrow window for optimal efficacy of LCn-3PUFA on measures of insulin resistance (IR) when hyperinsulinemia and high inflammation are present before the onset of diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich fish oil supplementation significantly reduced the GSK-3β levels in individuals with obesity, a key kinase that is linked to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and AD
Summary
It predisposes to an array of risk factors such as insulin resistance (IR) and chronic low-grade inflammation and poses a risk to several non-communicable chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease [2], leading to increased morbidity and mortality amongst adults. The vascular effects of obesity may have a role in the development of a rapidly expanding disease in the elderly population, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) [3]. The mechanisms are not precise, the detrimental impact of obesity on cognitive function may be, at least in part, due to vascular defects like IR and chronic low-grade inflammation, impaired insulin metabolism or insulin resistance [4]. There are multiple risk factors for AD, including age, obesity, chronic inflammation, genetics and insulin resistance [3]. A prospective study of >10,000 participants examining the association between body mass index (BMI) and dementia over 36 years reported that
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