Effects of N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplement on inflammatory markers and insulin resistance in patients with the metabolic syndrome

Abstract

[한글]

[영문]

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supplement may be beneficial in patients with the metabolic syndrome (MS) through reduction of serum triglyceride (TG), systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. Recommendation dose of N-3 PUFA are 1 g/day for secondary prevention of myocardial infarction and 2-4 g/day for serum TG reduction. In the MS, there are few data regarding N-3 PUFA effect on the systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. Also, dose-dependent effects of N-3 PUFA on systemic inflammation and insulin resistance have never been evaluated. The goal of this study is to evaluate whether N-3 PUFA supplement may reduce systemic inflammation and insulin resistance in patients with the MS. We also investigate dose-dependent effects of N-3 PUFA on systemic inflammation and insulin resistance by comparing conventional (2 g/day) with high (4 g/day) dose of N-3 PUFA. Sixty patients with the MS were randomly enrolled in N-3 PUFA and placebo groups. Fifty-three (N-3 PUFA, N=26 and placebo, N=27) subjects completed this study. N-3 PUFA group received 2 g/day (conventional dose) for 6 weeks and 4 g/day (high dose) for another 6 weeks. We compared serum lipid and lipoprotein subclass profiles, inflammatory markers and insulin resistance between two groups. N-3 PUFA administration significantly reduced mean high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP; p = 0.01, repeated measures ANOVA) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; p = 0.03, repeated measures ANOVA) levels compared with placebo. N-3 PUFA mediated TG (p = 0.001, repeated measures ANOVA) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.000, repeated measures ANOVA) reduction were significantly related to dose-dependent effect of N-3 PUFA. However, there was no significant dose-dependent effect of N-3 PUFA on hs-CRP. In conclusion, N-3 PUFA administration in patients with the MS significantly reduced serum hs-CRP and insulin resistance compared with placebo. Especially, the improvement of insulin resistance was significantly related to dose-dependent effect of N-3 PUFA.