Long-term Treatment of N-3 PUFAS on Plasma Lipoprotein Levels and Fatty Acid Composition of Total Serum and Erythrocyte Lipids in Hypertriglyceridemic Patients
Supanee Putadechakum, DSc*, Vichai Tanphaichitr, MD, PhD, FACP, FRACP** Preeya Leelahagul, DSc*, Varapat Pakpeankitvatana, DSc***, Thitima Surapisitchart, BS*, Surat Komindr, MD**
Affiliation : * Department of Research Center, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University ** Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University *** Department of food chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University
The low incidence of coronary heart disease in Greenland Eskimos and Japanese fishermen who
have high consumption of fish and seafood has called the attention in the role of eicosapentaenoic (EPA =
20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic (DHA = 22:6n-3) acids, the major n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)
in fish oils, in reducing cardiovascular risk. N-3 PUFAs may reduce serum lipids by promoting fatty acid
oxidation and decrease VLDL producing from the liver, depress tissue arachidonate synthesis and alter the
composition and tissue PUFAs.
Plasma lipoprotein and fatty acid composition of total serum and erythrocyte lipids in 9
hypertriglyceridemic patients consisting of 4 males and 5 females aged 39-72 yr who attended the Nutrition
Clinic, Ramathibodi Hospital were investigated. The study period consisted of 4 wks of dietary advice only
followed by 48 wks of dietary advice with a daily intake of 6 g of fish oil capsules (FOC). Six grams of FOC
provided 1080 mg of 20:5n-3 and 720 mg of 22:6n-3.Their plasma triglyceride (TG) levels at wk 0, 12, 24, 36,
48 were 356.7, 230.1, 209.7, 192.9, 227.4 mg/dL and M-particle (equivalent to very low density lipoprotein,
VLDL) were 484.4, 354.8, 383.1, 349.7, 453.2 mg/dL respectively that decreased significantly, whereas their
plasma low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels at the same periods were 139.4, 164.9, 171.0,
157.1, 158.3 mg/dL that increased significantly. Serum and erythrocyte 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 in these sub-
jects were significantly higher than those at wk 0 throughout the study. These findings indicate the
bioavailability of 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 in TG lowering effect of FOC. Fatty acids from fish oil have a remark-
able effect on the synthesis and clearance of TG-rich lipoproteins, especially VLDL and chylomicrons.
Though daily treatment with 6 g of FOC has a striking effect in increasing plasma LDL-C levels.
Keywords : Fish oil capsules, Plasma lipoprotein, EPA, DHA, PUFAs, Hypertriglyceridemic patients
