HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Supplemental data Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Caslake, M. J Articles by Minihane, A. M PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Caslake, M. J Articles by Minihane, A. M Agricola Articles by Caslake, M. J Articles by Minihane, A. M

Effect of sex and genotype on cardiovascular biomarker response to fish oils: the FINGEN Study^1,2,3

¹ From the Department of Vascular Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom (MJC, LF, and CP); the Institute of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom (EAM, AS-V, ALW, FLN, and PCC); the Hugh Sinclair Human Nutrition Group, School of Chemistry, Food Biosciences and Pharmacy (BMK, CKA, JPG, CMW, and AMM), and the Quantitative Biology and Applied Statistics Section, School of Biological Sciences (ACK), University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom; and the Human Nutrition Research Centre, School of Clinical Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom (GL, PC, JS, and JCM)

Background:The lipid-modulatory effects of high intakes of the fish-oil fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are well established and likely to contribute to cardioprotective benefits.

Objectives:We aimed to determine the effect of moderate EPA and DHA intakes (<2 g EPA+DHA/d) on the plasma fatty acid profile, lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations, lipoprotein subclass distribution, and markers of oxidative status. We also aimed to examine the effect of age, sex, and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype on the observed responses.

Design:Three hundred twelve adults aged 20–70 y, who were prospectively recruited according to age, sex, and APOE genotype, completed a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. Participants consumed control oil, 0.7 g EPA+DHA/d (0.7FO), and 1.8 g EPA+DHA/d (1.8FO) capsules in random order, each for an 8-wk intervention period, separated by 12-wk washout periods.

Results:In the group as a whole, 8% and 11% lower plasma triacylglycerol concentrations were evident after 0.7FO and 1.8FO, respectively (P < 0.001): significant sex x treatment (P = 0.038) and sex x genotype x treatment (P = 0.032) interactions were observed, and the greatest triacylglycerol-lowering responses (reductions of 15% and 23% after 0.7FO and 1.8FO, respectively) were evident in APOE4 men. Furthermore, lower VLDL-cholesterol (P = 0.026) and higher LDL-cholesterol (P = 0.010), HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.001), and HDL2 (P < 0.001) concentrations were evident after fish-oil intervention.

Conclusions:Supplements providing EPA+DHA at doses as low as 0.7 g/d have a significant effect on the plasma lipid profile. The results of the current trial, which used a prospective recruitment approach to examine the responses in population subgroups, are indicative of a greater triacylglycerol-lowering action of long-chain n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in males than in females.