Abstract
CD36 is a scavenger receptor involved in lipid uptake and inflammation. Recently, non-cell-bound CD36 (sCD36) was identified in plasma and suggested to be a marker of lipid accumulation in the vessel wall. Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may have cardioprotective effects. This study evaluated the effect of marine n-3 PUFA on sCD36 levels in overweight subjects. Fifty overweight subjects were randomized to 1.1 g of n-3 PUFA or 2 g of olive oil daily for six weeks. Neutrophils were isolated at baseline and after six weeks of treatment while an adipose tissue biopsy was obtained at baseline. The content of n-3 PUFA in adipose tissue and neutrophils was analyzed by gas chromatography, while plasma levels of sCD36 were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After six weeks of supplement plasma sCD36 did not differ between supplements (P = 0.18). There was no significant correlation between plasma sCD36 levels and n-3 PUFA in neutrophils at baseline (r = −0.02, P = 0.88), after six weeks supplement (r = −0.03, P = 0.85) or in adipose tissue (r = 0.14, P = 0.34). This study therefore does not provide evidence for a cardioprotective effect of n-3 PUFA acting through a CD36-dependent mechanism.
Highlights
Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse association between fish consumption and morbidity or mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1,2,3,4]
There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two treatment groups except that more subjects were treated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and β-blockers in the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)
We found no effect of supplementing n-3 PUFA and no correlation between long or short-term intake of n-3 PUFA and plasma levels of sCD36, and the cardioprotective effect of n-3 PUFA seems not to be mediated through a modulation of
Summary
Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse association between fish consumption and morbidity or mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1,2,3,4]. This beneficial effect has been attributed to the content of long-chained n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in seafood other components of fish e.g. selenium, vitamins and peptides may contribute [1,3,4,5,6]. Binding of oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) to CD36 receptors leads to accumulation of cholesterol in the macrophages thereby initiating foam cell formation. A non-cell bound form of CD36 (sCD36) has been discovered in plasma [15], and sCD36 is believed to reflect tissue levels of CD36 and has been suggested to be a marker of lipid accumulation in the vessel wall [16,17]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
