Effects of n-3 fatty acids in subjects with type 2 diabetes: reduction of insulin sensitivity and time-dependent alteration from carbohydrate to fat oxidation [Erratum: 2007 June, v. 85, no. 6, p. 1668.]

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 84; no. 3; pp. 540 - 550
• Main Authors: Mostad, Ingrid L, Bjerve, Kristian S, Bjorgaas, Marit R, Lydersen, Stian, Grill, Valdemar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD American Society for Nutrition 01.09.2006; American Society for Clinical Nutrition; American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; at-risk population; Biological and medical sciences; blood glucose; Blood Glucose - drug effects; Blood Glucose - metabolism; carbohydrate metabolism; Carbohydrate Metabolism - drug effects; Carbohydrate Metabolism - physiology; Carbohydrates; clinical trials; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - drug therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; diet therapy; diet-related diseases; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated - metabolism; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; energy metabolism; fat intake; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - administration & dosage; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fish Oils; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glucose Clamp Technique; Hemostasis - drug effects; human diseases; Humans; hypertriglyceridemia; Insulin; Insulin - blood; Insulin Resistance; insulin secretion; lipid metabolism; long term effects; Male; metabolic diseases; Middle Aged; noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; nutrient utilization; Oils & fats; omega-3 fatty acids; Oxidation; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxygen Consumption; Phospholipids - blood; physiological response; risk groups; Time Factors; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Endocrinopathy; Type 2 diabetes; Human; Pancreatic hormone; Energy metabolism; Secretion; Insulin sensitivity; fat oxidation; Alteration; carbohydrate oxidation; Lipids; Metabolic diseases; insulin secretion; n-3 fatty acids; Fatty acids; Fish oil; Insulin; Sensitivity; Indirect calorimetry; Fat; Carbohydrate; Oxidation
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/84.3.540

BACKGROUND: Effects of fish oil supplements on metabolic variables are insufficiently clarified in type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate short-term (1 wk) and longer-term (9 wk) effects of n-3 fatty acids. DESIGN: Twenty-six subjects with type 2 diabetes without hypertriacylglycerolemia participated in a double-blind controlled study. Median intake in the intervention group was 17.6 mL fish oil/d (1.8 g 20:5n-3, 3.0 g 22:6n-3, and 5.9 g total n-3 fatty acids). The control group received 17.8 mL corn oil/d (8.5 g 18:2n-6). RESULTS: Plasma phospholipid 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 increased, whereas 18:2n-6 decreased, in the fish oil group compared with the corn oil group after 1 wk. The two n-3 fatty acids also increased in adipose tissue biopsy samples taken after 9 wk in the fish oil group. Glucose concentrations (home-monitored) were [almost equal to]1 mmol/L higher in the fish oil group than in the corn oil group at the end of the intervention (P = 0.035). Glucose utilization measured by using an isoglycemic clamp was lowered in the fish oil group compared with that in the corn oil group at the end of the intervention (P = 0.049), whereas glucagon-stimulated C-peptide tended to increase (P = 0.078). The fish oil group utilized less fat for oxidation after 1 wk, with a change to more fat and less carbohydrate oxidation after 9 wk (P = 0.040), than did the corn oil group. CONCLUSION: A high intake of fish oil moderately increases blood glucose and decreases insulin sensitivity in persons with type 2 diabetes without hypertriacylglycerolemia and alters carbohydrate and fat utilization in a time-dependent manner.