Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Biomarkers of Inflammation Linked to Cardiovascular Disease in Aging Adults: Secondary Analysis
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Date
2023-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Purpose and Background: Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death worldwide. Recent studies provide evidence that targeting specific inflammatory biomarkers such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with anti-inflammatory therapies may help prevent CVD. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory actions, but their cardiovascular-specific effects remain unclear. This study's purpose was to compare plasma levels of six inflammatory biomarkers of CVD between adults consuming EPA+DHA supplements versus placebo.
Conceptual Framework: The physiological theory that EPA+DHA moderate inflammation supported the study design.
Method: Select data from an ongoing randomized clinical trial testing effects of EPA+DHA supplementation (2.8 g/d) versus placebo on wound healing in older adults were analyzed to determine group differences in plasma levels of IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D over 12 weeks for the first 22 participants [EPA+DHA Group (n = 10); Placebo Group (n = 12)]. Due to the small sample size, bootstrapping was used to construct 95% confidence intervals to compare the 12-week change in biomarker levels between and within groups.
Results: On average, participants were aged 65.0 years (SD = 9.78); the majority were male (54.5%) and White (50.0%). No significant differences in sociodemographic data between groups emerged. While no significant differences in the mean 12-week change in levels of IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, VEGF-A, or VEGF-C between or within groups were detected, the mean 12-week change in levels of VEGF-D was significantly lower in the EPA+DHA Group versus Placebo Group, 95% CI [-2060.39, -19.1].
Conclusions: EPA+DHA therapy may be effective in reducing levels of VEGF-D, a potent angiogenic cytokine shown to independently predict all-cause mortality in patients with suspected or confirmed CVD. Studies have also shown that down-regulating VEGF-D reduces triglyceride and cholesterol production. Additional nursing research testing EPA+DHA effects on VEGF-D and other inflammatory factors is warranted in larger samples of people at risk for CVD. Cost-effective, safe therapies to reduce inflammation and cholesterol earlier in life may help prevent CVD.
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Keywords
Cardiovascular disease, omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, DHA, biomarkers, older adults