The effect of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on carbohydrate metabolism in northern men

Abstract

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are known for being one of the most important classes of bioactive lipids; of them, the long-chain ones, namely eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, have many positive effects on the human body. The aim of this study was to assess the carbohydrate metabolism in northern men living in the Magadan Region before and after the administration of a dietary supplement with PUFA. Material and methods. The study included 45 men (mean age 40.0±0.8 years), of whom 2 groups comparable in age and analyzed parameters were formed by random sampling. The participants of the main group (n=30) consumed PUFA (2 capsules containing 1200 mg, including 660 mg EPA and 440 mg DHA), and the control group (n=15) had no impact on the diet. Fasting venous blood was collected using a vacuum system to determine glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) using the turbidimetric immunoinhibition, glucose by the hexokinase method, insulin by the immune chemiluminescence using paramagnetic particles at the beginning (late October, 2023) and the end (mid-December, 2023) of the study, and HOMA-IR index was calculated. The daily diet was assessed using the ASPON-nutrition program (St. Petersburg) based on the results of the food diary keeping for 3 days (weekdays). Results. In men of the main group, positive changes in the carbohydrate profile were noted, associated with the intake of ω-3 PUFAs, manifested in HbA1c decrease (from 5.5±0.1 to 5.2±0.1%, p<0.05) while maintaining blood concentration of glucose and insulin and HOMA-IR at the same level. Unlike the main group, the control group experienced disadaptation in their carbohydrate metabolism as they exhibited the signs of hyperinsulinemia (increased basal fasting insulin level from 8.8±1.2 to 11.4±1.1 mIU/l, p<0.05) and insulin resistance (the increase in the HOMA-IR from 2.0±0.2 to 2.6±0.3, p<0.05), which was apparently due to the autumn-winter period of the study. Conclusion. Resulting from the data obtained, this study showed the presence of a leveling function and even an optimizing role of additional ω-3 PUFAs intake with respect to seasonal changes in the biochemical parameters of the northern residents during the crucial period of the year with its temperature curve transition through 0 °C.