Effects of duration of treatment and dosage of eicosapentaenoic acid and stearidonic acid on red blood cell eicosapentaenoic acid content

• Published in: Prostaglandins, leukotrienes and essential fatty acids Vol. 86; no. 1; pp. 51 - 59
• Main Authors: Krul, E.S, Lemke, S.L, Mukherjea, R, Taylor, M.L, Goldstein, D.A, Su, H, Liu, P, Lawless, A, Harris, W.S, Maki, K.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Advanced Basic Science; Biological and medical sciences; Capsules; Diarrhea - chemically induced; Dosage-response; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Eicosapentaenoic acid; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - administration & dosage; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - adverse effects; Eicosapentaenoic Acid - pharmacokinetics; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Erythrocyte Membrane - metabolism; Erythrocytes - metabolism; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - administration & dosage; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - adverse effects; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - pharmacokinetics; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nausea - chemically induced; Omega-3 fatty acids; RBC; Single-Blind Method; Stearidonic acid; Time Factors; Vertebrates: endocrinology; RBC; Eicosapentaenoic acid; Dosage-response; Stearidonic acid; Omega-3 fatty acids; Polyunsaturated fatty acid; Red blood cell; Lipids; Duration; n-3 fatty acid; Fatty acids; Blood cell; Treatment; Unsaturated fatty acid
• ISSN: 0952-3278; 1532-2823
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2011.10.005

Abstract Objective The purpose of this randomized, controlled, parallel group study was to characterize the relationships between dosages of stearidonic acid (SDA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and incorporation of EPA into red blood cell (RBC) membranes over time. Methods Healthy subjects ( n =131) received capsules with placebo (safflower oil), SDA (0.43, 1.3, 2.6, or 5.2 g/d) or EPA (0.44, 1.3, or 2.7 g/d) for 12 weeks. RBC fatty acids were analyzed biweekly. Results RBC %EPA increased in all EPA and SDA groups ( p <0.02 vs. control) except the 0.43 g/d SDA group ( p =0.187). For theoretical intakes of EPA of 0.25, 0.5, and 0.89 g/d, the amounts of SDA needed to achieve equivalent RBC EPA enrichment were 0.61, 1.89, and 5.32 g/d (conversion efficiencies of 41%, 26%, and 17%), respectively. Conclusions SDA increased RBC %EPA in a dosage and time-dependent manner at intakes as low as 1.3 g/d.