Omega-3 FAs Research Articles

ω‐3 Fatty Acids Infusions as Adjuvant Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

The present study investigated the efficacy and safety of parenteral omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FA) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in 23 patients with moderate to severe RA. Patients received either 0.2 g of fish oil emulsion/kg (active) or 0.9% saline (placebo) infusion intravenously for 14 consecutive days, followed by 20 weeks of 0.05 g of fish oil/kg (active) or paraffin wax (placebo) ingested orally as capsules. A decrease in swollen and tender joint counts was the primary efficacy measure. At baseline, both swollen and tender joint counts were not significantly different between patients in the treatment and placebo groups. Twenty patients completed the infusion portion of the study, and 13 completed the oral portion. Swollen joint count was significantly lower in the omega-3 FA group compared with the placebo group after 1 week of infusion (P = .002) as well as after 2 weeks of infusion (P = .046). Tender joint count also tended to be lower in the omega-3 FA group, although this did not reach statistical significance. Both swollen and tender joint counts were significantly lower in the omega-3 FA group compared with the placebo group during and at the end of oral treatment. Our pilot study indicates that parenteral omega-3 FAs are well tolerated and improve clinical symptoms of RA. Subsequent oral administration of omega-3 FAs may prolong the beneficial effects of the infusion therapy. These results warrant validation in larger multicenter studies.

The effect of omega-3 FAs on tumour angiogenesis and their therapeutic potential

Omega-3 fatty acid (omega-3 FA) consumption has long been associated with a lower incidence of colon, breast and prostate cancers in many human populations. Human trials have demonstrated omega-3 FA to have profound anti-inflammatory effects in those with cancer. In vitro and small animal studies have yielded a strong body of evidence establishing omega-3 FA as having anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic effects. This review explores the evidence and the mechanisms by which omega-3 FA may act as angiogenesis inhibitors and identifies opportunities for original research trialling omega-3 FAs as anti-cancer agents in humans. The conclusions drawn from this review suggest that omega-3 FAs in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found principally in oily fish have potent anti-angiogenic effects inhibiting production of many important angiogenic mediators namely; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), Platelet-Derived Endothelial Cell Growth Factor (PDECGF), cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2), prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2), nitric oxide, Nuclear Factor Kappa Beta (NFKB), matrix metalloproteinases and beta-catenin.

Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease risk: do we understand the relationship?

There is a large body of evidence documenting the effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids with the first double bond at the third position from methyl-terminal (so called omega-3 fatty acids (FAs)) on different components of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, it may seem the more answers on the topic we learn, the more questions remain to be elucidated. There are three levels of evidence documenting the impact of fish omega-3 FAs on CVD risk. Epidemiological data have shown unequivocally the increased intake of fish is associated with lower CVD morbidity and mortality. Numerous experimental studies have shown (almost always) positive effects of omega-3 FAs on lipoprotein metabolism, coagulation and platelet function, endothelial function, arterial stiffness etc. Most importantly, there are a few prospective clinical endpoint trials (DART, JELIS, GISSI Prevenzione and GISSI-HF) that have examined the impact of omega-3 FAs supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes in different patient populations. Recent meta-analyses of these and other clinical studies have yielded somewhat conflicting results. In this review we will summarize current evidence of omega-3 FAs effects on cardiovascular risk focusing on new data from recent clinical trials as well as possible practical implications for clinical practice.

154: Beneficial Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on in Sirolimus/Everolimus-Induced Hypertriglyceridemia in Heart Transplant Recipients

Hyperlipidemia is an important complication after organ transplantation and may contribute to the development of posttransplant accelerated coronary artery disease. Immunosuppressive therapy, especially mTOR inhibitors sirolimus and everolimus, induce a considerable increase in LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride plasma levels. Omega-3 fatty acids exert cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects supporting a therapeutic role in cardiovascular conditions. Several studies show marked lowering of triglycerides by omega-3 FAs; effects on sirolimus / everolimus induced hypertriglyceridemia are unclear.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with chronic epilepsy: A randomized trial

Animal studies and a preliminary clinical observation suggest that nutritional supplementation with long chain omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FAs) may be useful in the nonpharmacological treatment of patients with epilepsy. Omega-3 FAs increase seizure thresholds, and lower inflammatory mediators, which are increased in patients with epilepsy. In this first randomized, placebo-controlled parallel group trial of omega-3 FA supplementation with 1g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 0.7g docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) daily, 57 patients completed a 12-week double-blind phase. Seizure frequency was reduced over the first 6 weeks of treatment in the supplement group, but this effect was not sustained. The supplementation produced a significant increase in EPA and DHA concentrations and a reciprocal fall in arachidonic and linoleic acid concentrations. No change in serum AED concentrations was detected. Further studies are required to examine different omega-3 FA preparations, different doses, longer treatment duration, and larger sample sizes.

HIV disease: Working Group Report of the First World Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.

HIV disease: Working Group Report of the First World Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.

DOCOSAHEXANOIC ACID AND ω-3 FATTY ACIDS IN DEPRESSION

Geographic areas where consumption of DHA is high are associated with decreased rates of depression. DHA deficiency states, such as alcoholism and the postpartum period, also are linked with depression. Individuals with major depression have marked depletions in omega-3 FAs (especially DHA) in erythrocyte phospholipids compared with controls. These data suggest that DHA may be associated with depression, and the limited data available on supplementation with DHA or other omega-3 FAs seem to support the hypothesis that DHA may have psychotropic effects. Overall, the use of EFAs is promising, particularly in view of the many illnesses potentially treatable with these substances; however, larger, carefully designed studies are needed to establish whether DHA is an effective and safe antidepressant, mood stabilizer, or antipsychotic. A few preliminary trials of DHA are in progress, but no studies comparing DHA against placebo or against an established antidepressant have been carried out. Studies to address this issue are being developed at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Studies likely will require escalating doses of DHA, eventually reaching high levels so as to ensure that patients will avoid a potentially ineffective subclinical dose. Careful monitoring of dietary intake among subjects also will necessary because a high intake of omega-3-rich foods may confound results. Finally, large-scale, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials comparing the efficacy and safety of DHA against standard antidepressants are required before psychiatrists can recommend DHA therapy as effective and safe for the treatment of depression and other mood disorders. Given the popularity of self-medication by patients who already are taking marketed antidepressants, studies examining the use of DHA as an augmentor to standard antidepressants may answer whether DHA can occupy a niche as an augmenting agent for patients who have made a partial response or have not responded to conventional antidepressants. Considering that natural medications generally seem best for treating mild to moderate illness, the role of DHA as a therapy for minor and subsyndromal depression also should be considered. It is hoped that studies of these types will help to clarify some of the knowledge gaps outlined in this article.

Dietary supplement of omega-3 fatty acids has no effect on acute collagen-induced thrombus formation in flowing native blood.

We have studied the effect of a daily supplement of 2.4 omega-3 fatty acids (omega 3 FAs) to 16 healthy men on acute collagen-induced thrombus formation in flowing non-anticoagulated blood. The supplement was formulated as Triomar capsules, containing 60% omega-3 FAs with an eicosapentaenoic/docosahexaenoic acid ratio of 3/2. A parallel-plate perfusion chamber device was used to study thrombus formation prior to and after 3 months of omega-3 FAs supplement. The wall shear rates at the thrombogenic surface were 650, 2,600 and 10,500 s-1, which are typical for small arteries, slightly stenosed arteries and severely stenosed arteries, respectively. For the latter situation a parallel-plate perfusion chamber with an eccentric stenosis occluding 80% of the cross-sectional area of the blood flow channel was used. The dietary supplement of omega-3 FAs did not cause significant changes in platelet adhesion to collagen or in thrombus volume. However, fibrin deposition was reduced by 34% (P < 0.03) at the highest shear condition (stenosis). Plasma fibrinogen was reduced by 18% (P < 0.0006). Changes in serum concentration of triglycerides, total-cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol were not significant. Our data suggest that a moderate intake of omega-3 FAs provides virtually no protection against acute platelet-dependent thrombus formation, irrespective of the shear conditions. However, the significant reduction in plasma levels of fibrinogen following dietary supplementation of omega-3 FAs may be important, since high levels of fibrinogen is associated with cardiovascular disease and thrombosis.

Omega-3 fatty acids in hypertriglyceridemic patients: triglycerides vs methyl esters

The purpose of this study was to compare the relative effects of omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FAs) in the triglyceride (TG) and methly ester (ME) forms in a crossover design in patients with type IV hyperlipidemia. Eight male patients were given 18 vegetable-oil capsules (control); 18 capsules of a TG rich in omega-3 FAs (omega-3 TG); and 11 capsules containing omega-3-FA MEs (omega-3 ME). One supplement was given during each of three 6-wk periods. Equivalent amounts of omega-3 FAs (6.8 g/d) were provided by each of the omega-3 treatments. Plasma cholesterol (C) levels were unchanged during the two omega-3 phases whereas plasma TG levels fell by 44% during both. Low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels rose significantly with both omega-3-FA treatments, as did apolipoprotein B levels. When taken in either the TG or ME forms, omega-3 FAs are equally effective hypotriglyceridemic agents but they may raise LDL-C levels.