Role of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) on Inflammation and Lipids

Role of EPA and DHA in Fish Oil on Inflammation and Lipoprotein Metabolism

The objective of this study is to provide critical information regarding both common and distinctive roles of EPA and DHA in systemic inflammation and lipid metabolism.

This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study of the effects of EPA and DHA on inflammation and lipid metabolism in 24 men and women with metabolic syndrome. The study will characterize the effects of EPA alone and DHA alone, relative to each other and to placebo, on plasma biomarkers of inflammation, inflammatory cell activation and gene expression, and plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels.

Inclusion criteria:

• fasting plasma TG levels between 150 and 500 mg/dL

• C-reactive protein (CRP) levels ≥2 µg/mL

• at least one of the following criteria for the definition of metabolic syndrome:

  • abdominal obesity (waist circumference >40 inches in men and >35 inches in women),
  • hypertension (blood pressure ≥130/≥85 mmHg or use of anti-hypertensive medications), and
  • fasting glucose ≥110 mg/dL.

Exclusion criteria:

• high-fish diets (>2 fish meals/week)
• taking fish oil supplements or supplements containing EPA or DHA
• allergy to sardines
• allergy to sunflower oil
• regular use of anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID, COX inhibitors, corticosteroids)
• anticoagulant therapy
• alcohol consumption >7 drinks/week
• uncontrolled thyroid dysfunction
• insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus
• kidney or liver disease
• smoking
• alterations in coagulation
• use of lipid altering medications