Marine-Derived n-3 Fatty Acids and Atherosclerosis in Japanese, Japanese-American, and White Men

Abstract

Objectives To examine whether marine-derived n-3 fatty acids (FAs) are associated with less atherosclerosis in Japanese than Whites in the United States. Background Marine-derived n-3 FAs at low levels are cardioprotective through their anti-arrhythmic effect. Methods A population-based cross-sectional study in 281 Japanese, 306 White, and 281 Japanese American men aged 40–49 was conducted to assess intima-media thickness of the carotid artery (IMT), coronary artery calcification (CAC), and serum FAs. Results Japanese in Japan had the lowest levels of atherosclerosis whereas Whites and Japanese Americans had similar levels. Japanese in Japan had twofold higher levels of marine-derived n-3 FAs than Whites and Japanese Americans. Japanese in Japan had significant and non-significant inverse associations of marine-derived n-3 FAs with IMT and CAC prevalence, respectively. The significant inverse association with IMT remained after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Neither Whites nor Japanese Americans had such associations. Significant differences between Japanese in Japan and Whites in multivariable-adjusted IMT (mean difference 39 μm (95% confidence interval (CI), 21 to 57), p<0.001) and CAC prevalence (mean difference 10.7% (95% CI, 2.9 to 18.4), p=0.007) became non-significant after further adjusting for marine-derived n-3 FAs (22 μm (95% CI, −1 to 46), p=0.065 and 5.0 % (95% CI, −5.3 to 15.4), p=0.341, respectively). Conclusions Very high levels of marine-derived n-3 FAs have anti-atherogenic properties independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and may contribute to lower burden of atherosclerosis in Japanese in Japan, which is unlikely due to genetic factors.

Drugs and lifestyle for the treatment and prevention of coronary artery disease: comparative analysis of the scientific basis

“…Similar results were obtained in two recent studies in Japan (45). The Japan Eicosapentaenoic Acid Lipid Interventions Study (JELIS), a randomized trial of 18,645 Japanese subjects that examined the effectiveness of 1.8 g eicosapentaenoic acid per day plus a statin in reducing CHD rates, and the Japan Public Health Center-Based Study (JPHC), a 10-year prospective cohort study of 41,578 middle-aged Japanese subjects that examined dietary intake of marine-derived n-3 fatty acids; both concluded that marine-derived n-3 fatty acids have protective effects against nonfatal coronary events.…”

“…Kromann and Green (44) further reported that acute MI rates in this same population were markedly lower than those in Denmark. Sekikawa et al (45) studied 281 Japanese born and living in Japan, 306 white Americans living in the USA, and 281 JapaneseAmerican men, i.e., Japanese men born and living in the USA, ages 40 to 49 years, regarding marine fatty acid consumption and atherosclerosis incidence. Japanese men had the lowest levels of atherosclerosis, whereas whites and Japanese Americans had similar levels.…”

Membrane Level of Omega-3 Docosahexaenoic Acid Is Associated with Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

“…10 The reduced atherosclerotic burden seen in Japanese subjects appears to be due to their higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids. 23 Three major (N > 6000 patients) randomized controlled trials with omega-3 fatty acids have shown significant reductions in either total mortality 24,25 or major adverse cardiac events. 26 Hence, higher tissue levels of omega-3 fatty acids are cardioprotective.…”

Improvement in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease severity is associated with a reduction in carotid intima-media thickness progression

“…docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (Omacor/Lovaza 4 g/day) versus placebo in subjects with a high level of erythrocyte DHA enrichment. 7 Furthermore, studies from other groups have shown a positive association between high dietary intake of n-3 PUFAs and less carotid atherosclerotic plaque burden, 8 as well as a plaque-stabilizing effect on carotid atheroma and improved arterial elasticity with n-3 PUFA treatment. 9,10 The aims of this prespecified substudy of the WELCOME (Wessex Evaluation of fatty Liver and Cardiovascular markers in NAFLD with OMacor thErapy) trial 11 were: (i) to investigate the effects of high-dose n-3 PUFA treatment over 18 months on carotid IMT progression in NAFLD subjects and (ii) to describe associations between changes in markers of NAFLD disease severity (both in terms of simple steatosis and steatohepatitis) and carotid IMT progression over that time period.…”