Supplementation with ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids decreases fasting insulin and hemoglobin A1c levels in healthy Mexican adults: the role of PPARγ2 P12A

Abstract

The effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contained in fish oil (FO) in glycemic control are not clear and perhaps are influenced by genetic variation in Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptor (PPAR) genes. The study aimed to analyze the effect of FO supplementation on glucose metabolism and inflammation according to PPARγ2 P12A genotypes in young Mexican adults. 191 apparently healthy, non‐smoking subjects between 18 and 40 years were included in a one‐arm study. Participants were supplemented with 2.7g/day of EPA+DHA, during six weeks. Dietary analysis, indicators for glucose metabolism, and markers for inflammation were analyzed before and after intervention. An overall increase in relative concentration of ω3 fatty acids in red blood cells (HS‐ω3 index) was observed in all subjects [2.6, (SD:±1.2), P<0.001]. Mean fasting insulin and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c%) were significantly decreased in all subjects [−0.547mlU/L,(SD:±10.29), P=0.034 and −0.07%,(SD:±0.3), P<0.001 respectively], whereas there was no change in fasting glucose, adiponectin, apelin and inflammatory markers. Subjects carrying the minor allele of PPARγ2 P12A had higher responses in the reduction of fasting insulin (−19.8%, −2.3mlU/L, ±8.4). Interestingly, in subjects with lower supplementation than 2.7g/day (~1.8g/day) reductions in fasting insulin and HbA1c% from baseline remained significant (P=0.019 and P<0.001). The observed responses in fasting insulin and HbA1c% in the Mexican population give further evidence of the importance to FO supplementation in young people as an early step towards the prevention of cardiometabolic disease.Support or Funding InformationThe study was funded by Nestec.