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Effects of marine n-3 fatty acid supplementation on lipoprotein subclasses measured by nuclear magnetic resonance in subjects with type II diabetes

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 62, pages 419–429 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To measure effects of fish oil supplements on lipoprotein subclasses by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in subjects with type II diabetes and relate them to insulin sensitivity.

Design:

Two-armed, parallel, placebo-controlled, randomized.

Subjects:

Normotriglyceridemic subjects with type II diabetes without insulin treatment were given either fish oil (n=12, median intake 5.9 g/day total n-3 fatty acids (FA) (1.8 g 20:5n-3, 3.0 g 22:6n-3)) or corn oil (n=14, 8.5 g/day 18:2n-6 FA).

Methods:

Size and concentration of lipoproteins subclasses were measured by NMR, insulin sensitivity by hyperinsulinemic, isoglycemic clamps.

Results:

After 9 weeks, there were differences between those treated with fish and corn oil with respect to very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) size (median −15 vs +0.6%, P=0.001), particle concentrations of large VLDL (−99 vs −4.1%, P=0.041) and small high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (−12 vs +10%, P=0.051). Compared with corn oil fish oil tended to increase HDL size and small low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration (P=0.063 and 0.068, respectively, for differences between groups). There was no effect on oxidized LDL. Insulin sensitivity (glucose utilization) decreased in the fish oil group compared with the corn oil group (P=0.049). The decrease in insulin sensitivity did not correlate with the effects on lipoprotein subclasses.

Conclusions:

A high intake of n-3 FA exerts effects on several lipoprotein subclasses without obvious influence from changes in insulin sensitivity.

Sponsorship:

Norwegian Foundation for Health and Rehabilitation, Peter Möller AS, Novo Nordisk, Abbot Norge AS, The Norwegian Diabetes Association.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the subjects who participated in the study. We also thank Ingrid Hals Jørgensen for assistance with oxidized LDL analyses, and the medical and secretarial staff at the Division of Endocrinology and the staff at the Department of Medical Biochemistry, St Olavs Hospital for help in various ways.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    I L Mostad & V Grill

  2. Department of Clinical Service, Division of Clinical Nutrition, St Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway

    I L Mostad

  3. Department of Medical Biochemistry, St Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway

    K S Bjerve

  4. Unit for Applied Clinical Research, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    S Lydersen

  5. Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, St Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway

    V Grill

Authors
  1. I L Mostad
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  2. K S Bjerve
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  3. S Lydersen
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  4. V Grill
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to I L Mostad.

Additional information

Contributors: VG initiated and designed the study together with ILM. VG took part in data analyses and paper writing. ILM was responsible for and participated in all aspects of the study including planning and designing, preparing samples for NMR analyses, performing clamps as well as the major part of paper writing. SL and ILM carried out the statistical analyses. KSB was responsible for evaluating many of the laboratory analyses and advising on study design and participating in paper writing. None of the contributors had a conflict of interest.

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Mostad, I., Bjerve, K., Lydersen, S. et al. Effects of marine n-3 fatty acid supplementation on lipoprotein subclasses measured by nuclear magnetic resonance in subjects with type II diabetes. Eur J Clin Nutr 62, 419–429 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602703

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602703

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