Metabolic syndrome, especially its component related to dyslipidemia, is related to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is a disease with a significant global prevalence. Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids emerged as a complementary therapeutic possibility for dyslipidemia, but its benefits are questioned. This paper aims at evaluating the effects of fish oil supplementation in rats with hypercholesterolemia induced by hypercholesterolemic diet (HD). The study design is based on an experimental model in which the animals were randomly divided into 3 groups: G1 (standard commercial feed + saline solution); G2 (hypercholesterolemic diet + saline solution) and G3 (hypercholesterolemic diet + fish oil) over a period of 16 weeks. Metabolic control parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated according to standardized methodologies. The G3 group showed significantly lower values of plasma concentrations of TG, and hepatic myeloperoxidase as well as higher erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity (p < 0.05). Regarding histopathological analysis, there was lipid accumulation in the liver of animals from group G2; meanwhile, hepatocytes reorganization and expressive reduction of lipid vacuoles and hepatic TG content was observed in group G3. This study demonstrated how fish oil supplementation reduced the plasma concentration and hepatic content of triglycerides, as well as liver tissue damage in histopathological analysis.

In the present study, the effects of cryolipolysis on one and multiple body areas, assessing body composition, lipid profile and peroxidation and inflammatory markers were investigated. Twenty-five women aged between 20 and 59 years were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) control, (2) cryolipolysis on the abdomen and (3) cryolipolysis on the abdomen + flanks. Anthropometric measurements, bioimpedance and ultrasound were performed, as well serum lipid profile, lipid peroxidation markers (malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and Interleukin-1β) were determined. In addition, food consumption and physical activity level were evaluated. Data were obtained at 0, 10 and 30 days (t0, t10 and t30) after cryolipolysis. Cryolipolysis did not change anthropometric measurements, body composition or lipid profile. Interestingly, the abdomen + flanks group had significantly increased plasma myeloperoxidase activity at t0, t10 and t30, and increased malondialdehyde levels at t0 and t10 when compared to the other groups. Furthermore, there were no differences between macronutrient intake and total energy value, physical activity level, malondialdehyde and interleukin-1β at t30. Cryolipolysis did not change body composition, lipid profile or inflammatory markers investigated. On the other hand, when used on the abdomen and flanks, it produced an increase in lipid peroxidation markers, malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase.

Atherosclerosis is a cardiovascular disease associated with abnormalities of vascular functions. The consumption of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids can be considered a strategy to reduce clinical events related to atherosclerosis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of supplementation with 310 mg of ω-3 PUFAs (2:1 eicosapentaenoic/docosahexaenoic acids) for 56 days on rats with hypercholesterolemia induced by a diet containing cholesterol (0.1%), cholic acid (0.5%), and egg yolk. Serum biochemical parameters were determined by the enzymatic colorimetric method. Assessment of vascular effects was performed by analysis of histological sections of the heart and aortic arch stained with hematoxylin and eosin and vascular reactivity of the aorta artery. We observed that treatment with ω-3 PUFAs did not promote alterations in lipid profile. On the other hand, we documented a favorable reduction in liver biomarkers, as well as contributions to the preservation of heart and aortic arch morphologies. Interestingly, the vascular reactivity of rat thoracic aortic preparations was improved after treatment with ω-3 PUFAs, with a decrease in hyperreactivity to phenylephrine and increased vasorelaxation promoted by acetylcholine. Our findings suggest that the supplementation of hypercholesterolemic rats with ω-3 PUFAs promoted improvement in liver and vascular endothelial function as well as preserving heart and aortic tissue, reinforcing the early health benefits of ω-3 PUFAs in the development of atherosclerotic plaque and further related events.

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Objective: To evaluate the effects of omega-3 supplementation on endothelial dysfunction in humans, considering the lipid profile, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. Methods: The search for the articles was carried out on the bases PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane and Web of Science, following the recommendations for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis of PRISMA. This study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database. After the process of searching and applying the inclusion criteria, 17 articles were selected. Results: The most pronounced effect of omega-3 supplementation was on reductions in triglycerides, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6, pulse wave velocity and increased dilation mediated by the flow of the brachial artery. There were no significant changes in oxidative stress biomarkers and overall nutritional status. Final considerations: Evidence of benefits of omega-3 in improving dyslipidemia, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction; new intervention research is needed to better elucidate the role of this nutrient in the studied parameters, in addition to establishing effective doses, composition and intervention time for application in clinical practice.