Moderate doses of EPA and DHA from re-esterified triacylglycerols but not from ethyl-esters lower fasting serum triacylglycerols in statin-treated dyslipidemic subjects: Results from a six month randomized controlled trial

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2011 Dec;85(6):381-6. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2011.07.006. Epub 2011 Aug 20.

Abstract

Recently, in a supplementation study over six months, it has been demonstrated that re-esterified omega-3 fatty acid triacylglycerols (n3-FA-rTAGs) led to a higher increase in omega-3-index compared to identical doses of n3-FA ethyl-esters (n3-FA-EEs), suggesting a better long-term bioavailability. The aim of this study was to examine whether differences occur between the two forms in affecting fasting serum lipid levels. 150 dyslipidemic statin-treated participants were randomized to corn oil as a placebo or fish oil either as rTAG or EE in identical doses (1.01g EPA+0.67g DHA). No changes in total cholesterol, HDL or LDL levels were observed. In the rTAG-group, but not in the EE-group, fasting serum TAG levels were significantly reduced from baseline after three and six months. There was no significant difference between the two n3-FA-groups. However, serum TAG levels were significantly lowered after six months in the rTAG-group compared to the placebo-group in contrast to the EE-group.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Biological Availability
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / pharmacokinetics
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Dyslipidemias / drug therapy*
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / pharmacokinetics
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Compliance
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triglycerides / blood*

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Triglycerides
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid