Poster 6: Triglyceride-Lowering Effects of EPA in Individuals with Huntington Disease

Abstract

Background In individuals with Huntington disease (HD), lipid metabolism may be abnormal, 1 and cardiovascular disease is the second most common cause of death. However, treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in those with HD has not received much attention. We therefore examined the lipid lowering effects of an omega-3 fatty acid, the ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in a recently completed HD trial. 2 Methods A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in North America to determine whether 1 gram twice daily of EPA for 6 months improves motor performance in HD patients. This post-hoc analysis examined the effects of EPA on non-fasting triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations. Results At baseline prior to randomization, triglyceride concentrations in research participants with manifest HD were higher (mean = 171 mg/dL in the EPA arm; mean = 187 mg/dL in the placebo arm) than the National Cholesterol Education Program's goal of p = 0.007) and in mean total cholesterol concentration (−9.5 mg/dL mg/dL vs. −2.5 mg/dL; p = 0.009). These lipid lowering effects were not associated with any difference between the groups in the primary motor outcome of the study, the total motor score 4 component of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale. Conclusions EPA supplementation in individuals with HD was associated with a significant reduction in triglycerides and total cholesterol but not with improved motor function. The long-term sequelae of cardiovascular risk factors in those with HD and the potential to improve prognosis with EPA or other therapies warrant further investigation.