Abstract
Obese adolescents have high concentrations of saturated fatty acids and low omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCUFAs) in plasma phospholipids. We aimed to investigate effects of omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation to obese adolescents on skeletal muscle lipids and glucose and insulin homeostasis. Twenty-five obese adolescents (14–17 years old, 14 females) completed a randomized double-blind crossover study supplying capsules containing either 1.2 g omega-3 LCPUFAs or placebo, for 3 months each with a six-week washout period. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, and lipids were measured. Intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp were performed, and skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained at the end of each period. The concentrations of EPA, DHA, and total omega-3 PUFA in muscle phospholipids increased in both sexes. In the females, omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation improved glucose tolerance by 39% (P = 0.04) and restored insulin concentration by 34% (P = 0.02) during IVGTT. Insulin sensitivity improved 17% (P = 0.07). In males, none of these parameters was influenced by omega-3 supplementation. Thus, three months of supplementation of omega-3 LCPUFA improved glucose and insulin homeostasis in obese girls without influencing body weight.
Highlights
The prevalence of childhood obesity continues to increase [1], and obesity-related adverse conditions, such as high blood pressure, increased left ventricular mass, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, are being seen in children with increasing frequency [2, 3]
The omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation did not change the first-phase insulin secretion during Intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) (ΔAUC0−10 min) or glucose disposal rate (GDR) obtained from euglycemichyperinsulinemic clamp
This study shows that omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation in a high physiological dose of 1.2 g/day for 3 months improved glucose and insulin homeostasis in obese girls without concomitant weight reduction
Summary
The prevalence of childhood obesity continues to increase [1], and obesity-related adverse conditions, such as high blood pressure, increased left ventricular mass, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, are being seen in children with increasing frequency [2, 3]. The association of obesity with type 2 diabetes has been recognized for decades, and the major basis for this link is the characteristic association of obesity to insulin resistance. It has been shown recently that obese children, with their prevailing risk profile, have lower serum levels of the essential fatty acids (FAs) of the omega-3 series than age-matched lean controls [4, 5]. Omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in overweight adults [12]
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