The effect of low-dose marine n-3 fatty acids on the biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory 5-lipoxygenase pathway metabolites in overweight subjects: A randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Prostaglandins, leukotrienes and essential fatty acids Vol. 87; no. 1; pp. 43 - 48
• Main Authors: Nielsen, M.S., Gammelmark, A., Madsen, T., Obel, T., Aardestrup, I., Schmidt, E.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2012
• Subjects: 5-Lipoxygenase; Advanced Basic Science; Aged; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - administration & dosage; Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase - metabolism; Cardiotonic Agents - administration & dosage; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Double-Blind Method; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - analogs & derivatives; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - biosynthesis; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - administration & dosage; Female; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids - biosynthesis; Leukotriene B4 - analogs & derivatives; Leukotriene B4 - biosynthesis; Leukotrienes; Male; Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Neutrophils - metabolism; Obesity, Abdominal - drug therapy; Obesity, Abdominal - pathology; Overweight - drug therapy; Overweight - pathology; Treatment Outcome; Leukotrienes; Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; 5-Lipoxygenase
• ISSN: 0952-3278; 1532-2823; 1532-2823
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2012.05.009

Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have a variety of anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluated the effect of n-3 PUFA in a low, but recommended cardioprotective dosage on the formation of 5-lipoxygenase pathway metabolites in overweight subjects. Fifty subjects were randomized to 1.1g of n-3 PUFA or olive oil for 6 weeks. Leukotriene B4 formation decreased by 14% in the n-3 PUFA group which proved to be significant within the group (p=0.005) but not between groups (p=0.25). The formation of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) did not differ significantly between the groups. In the n-3 PUFA group, both 5-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic (5-HEPE) acid and leukotriene B5 increased significantly compared to the control group (p<0.001). In conclusion, we did not observe any significant net anti-inflammatory effect on the 5-lipoxygenase pathway from a daily supplement of 1.1g marine n-3 PUFA for 6 weeks.