Effects of Prescription Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters on Fasting Lipid Profile in Subjects With Primary Hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

This double-blind, randomized crossover study investigated the effects of 6 weeks of treatment with prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters (POM3, 4 g/day) versus placebo (soy oil) on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and other aspects of the fasting lipid profile in 31 men and women with primary, isolated hypercholesterolemia (LDL-C 130-220 mg/dL and triglycerides less than 150 mg/dL while free of lipid-altering therapies). Mean ± standard error of the mean baseline concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were 229 ± 3, 146 ± 3, 60 ± 2, 23 ± 2, and 113 ± 8 mg/dL, respectively. POM3 produced a modest increase from baseline in LDL-C (3.4%) versus the placebo response (-0.7%, P = 0.010). Significant changes (P < 0.05) for POM3 (placebo-corrected) were observed for very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-18.8%), triglycerides (-18.7%), and HDL-C (3.3%). Nuclear magnetic resonance-determined very-low-density lipoprotein particle concentration and size and HDL particle concentration decreased significantly more with POM3 versus placebo, whereas LDL and HDL particle sizes increased significantly more with POM3 versus placebo. Total cholesterol, non-HDL-C, apolipoproteins A1 and B, and LDL particle concentration responses did not differ between treatments. These results did not confirm the hypothesis that POM3 treatment would lower LDL-C in primary, isolated hypercholesterolemia. Effects on other variables were consistent with prior results in mixed dyslipidemia.

Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid ethyl esters differentially enhance B-cell activity in murine obesity

“…The general public is increasingly consuming n-3 PUFA supplements of varying composition and intake of these fatty acids may impact their humoral immunity ( 5,46 ). The preclinical data show that EPA and DHA are not biologically equivalent and may have potential benefi ts for boosting IgM and IgA levels in select clinical populations.…”

“…The ethyl esters of OA, EPA, or DHA accounted for 2% of total energy. This corresponded to levels of EPA and DHA that are achievable with dietary supplementation and used in clinical trials ( 5,17 ). Supplementary Table I shows the composition of the diets.…”

“…Here we tested the effects of EPA and DHA ethyl esters because they are used in clinical trials and for the treatment of elevated triglycerides ( 5 ). Elucidating the differences between EPA and DHA is of significance given that numerous studies at the preclinical and clinical levels, focused mostly on infl ammation, have relied on fi sh oils (e.g., menhaden, tuna oil) and prescription ethyl ester supplements (Lovaza) that are mixtures of EPA and DHA, or more recently just one n-3 PUFA (Vascepa) ( 5,33 ). This contributes toward confl icting results in the fi eld because the individual activity of EPA compared with DHA is much less studied.…”

n-3 PUFAs enhance the frequency of murine B-cell subsets and restore the impairment of antibody production to a T-independent antigen in obesity

“…The dose of n-3 PUFAs corresponded to the equivalent of pharmacological levels in humans ( ‫ف‬ 4-5 g of n-3 PUFAs per day), which is used in clinical trials and in the treatment of elevated triglycerides ( 5,22 ). Both of the high-fat diets were 45% of total kilocalories from fat, which is an adequate representation of high-fat consumption in humans in the Western population ( 23 ).…”

Effects of the Switching From High-Purity Eicosapentaenoic Acid to Combination of Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid on Metabolic Parameters: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study

“…In the double-blind, randomized crossover study which investigated the effects of 6-week treatment with n-3 FA esters (4 g/day) on serum lipids [9], n-3 FA induced a modest increase from baseline in LDL-C (3.4%), a significant decrease in VLDL (-18.8%), TG (-18.7%), and a significant increase in HDL-C (3.3%). However, in Japan EPA lipid intervention study (JELIS) which used hp-EPA [10], TC, LDL-C and TG significantly decreased by 19%, 25% and 9%, respectively, and only small increase in HDL-C was observed.…”