EPICO: (Study for the Pro-resolution of Chronic Inflammation in Obesity. Original Acronym From Spanish)

Dietary Intervention Supplemented With PUFA Omega-3 Fatty Acids on the Pro-resolving Capacity in Subjects With Obesity.

Omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA have long been acknowledged for their capacity to counteract inflammatory responses in the human body. Understanding the impact of the dietary intake of these fatty acids along with others (such as ARA) involved in inflammation is essential for prevention and treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases as it is obesity and its comorbidities.

The role that the EPA and DHA play in the inflammatory processes can be understood by studying the capacity of certain immune cells and their genetic background to respond under the constant exposure to an adjusted diet in omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids in individuals with obesity.

A total of 80 subjetcs will be invited to be enrolled in a nutrigenomics/nutrigenetics study approaching the properties of a dietary plan (mild calorie restriction and adjusted at an omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids ratio of 4:1, and supplemented with fish oil rich in EPA and DHA or placebo).

This double blind, randomized, parallel clinical trial will consist in a 12-week intervention with recurrent visits every 4 weeks. Subjects will be required to follow the dietary plan provided in a recipee book produced and edited by our research group along with a capsule in every major meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for 12 weeks. In every visit, all subects will undergo a body composition analysis as well as blood tests that include: total cell count, glucose and lipid homeostasis, serum inflammatory markers, DNA extraction for genetic tests (SNPs involved in inflammation), isolation and ex vivo stimulation of neutrophils, determination of and isolation of PBMCs for further analysis of gene expression and protein abundance.

This study proposes three distinct but closely related approaches for reaching a further understanding of the actions of EPA and DHA intake:

1. Through the conversion of EPA and DHA to specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) such as resolvins (E and D) determined by an ex vivo assay
2. Through the study of the involved enzyme coding-genes in the previously mentioned conversion
3. Through the study of the activation of specific membrane receptors (FFAR4)

All these approaches will have in common the correlation with serum inflammatory markers (TNF alpha, MCP1, IL-6, and IL-10).

Once the project is finished, the research strategies for new studies will be improved. In the same way, the application of the knowledge generated in it will be encouraged towards the health care of patients with obesity who could attend our service on future occasions. Finally, we would disseminate the knowledge generated in our institutional community, which would increase the impact of the project.

In summary, the impact is divided into the following points:

• Identification of genetic markers relevant to the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities
• Bases for new strategies aimed at reducing chronic low-grade inflammation inherent in obesity
• Useful information on gene-nutrient interaction for the public and private sector in the field of genetic testing
• Study population benefited from the results of the intervention and the information of their genetic and biochemical profiles Data from this study would strengthen the inflammatory knowledge of obesity comorbidities from distinct standpoints

Inclusion Criteria:

• 25-59 years of age, both sexes
• Subjects who agree to participate in the study and all signed informed consent
• BMI 30 kg/m2 - 39.9 kg/m2
• Waist circumference >88 cm for females; >102 cm for males

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently consuming any of the following drugs: NSAIDS, anticoagulants, hypoglycemic, oR hypolipemic drugs
• Diagnosed autoimmune diseases
• Diagnosed cancer
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Allergy to chia, linseed or fish oil
• Subjects who wish to abandon the study