DECREASE OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS MARKERS AND OXIDATIVE STRESS AFTER 1 YEAR ADMINISTRATION OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS SUPPLEMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME

Abstract

Background and Aims: To assess the impact of 1 year administration of omega-3 fatty acids supplements on oxidative stress parameters and atherosclerosis progression. Material and Methods: A total of 284 patients with metabolic syndrome, aged 61±6.7 years, without clinical evidence of atherosclerosis were allocated to 2 groups, matched by sex and age: group A (140 patients) – diet according to ESC/EASD recommendations; group B (144 patients) – the same diet + capsules of fish oil (1g eicosapentanoic acid, 1g docosahexanoic acid, 0,1g α-tocopherol acetate). Body fat (BF) was measured by bioimpedance analysis. For oxidative stress evaluation we used the FormOx systems monitor on a blood drop and for progression of atherosclerosis the intima-media thickness (IMT) at common carotid artery. Patients were evaluated at baseline, after 6 months and 1 year. Results: IMT significantly decreased in group B vs group A at 1 year (p<0.0001) and was correlated with %BF (p<0.001), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (p=0.002), leptin (p<0.001), adiponectin (p<0.05), leptin/adiponectin ratio (p<0.001) and oxidative stress (p<0.001). Conclusions: One year administrations of omega-3 PUFA enriched diet reduces cardiovascular risk of metabolic syndrome patients, resulting in a significant decrease of oxidative stress and atherosclerosis progression.