TY - JOUR
T1 - Increases in erythrocyte DHA are not associated with increases in LDL-cholesterol
T2 - Cooper center longitudinal study
AU - Harris, William S.
AU - Leonard, David
AU - Radford, Nina B.
AU - Barlow, Carolyn E.
AU - Steele, Morgan R.
AU - Farrell, Stephen W.
AU - Pavlovic, Andjelka
AU - Willis, Benjamin L.
AU - DeFina, Laura F.
N1 - Funding Information:
We thank Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH, for establishing the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study, the Cooper Clinic physicians and staff for collecting clinical data, and The Cooper Institute for maintaining the database.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 National Lipid Association
Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/1/1
Y1 - 2021/1/1
N2 - Background: The effects of fish oil products containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on LDL-C levels are controversial. Objective: To determine if changes in erythrocyte DHA are associated with changes in LDL-C levels. Methods: In this prospective observational study, erythrocyte DHA levels and LDL-C levels were measured in 9253 individuals who presented for at least two examinations at a medical clinic. Changes in DHA levels and the reported use of omega-3 dietary supplements were correlated with changes in LDL-C in multi-variable adjusted models including the use of LDL-C-lowering drugs. Results: Mean (standard deviation) age at baseline was 52.6 (10.6) years, and the time between exams averaged 1.9 (1.4) years. As a group, erythrocyte DHA increased from 5.0% (1.3) to 5.3% (1.3) (p < 0.001), and LDL-C was not significantly changed (109 (33) to 108 (33) mg/dL, p = 0.875). However, in multivariable-adjusted models of within-participant changes, a 1% increase in erythrocyte DHA was associated with a 1.9 mg/dL reduction in LDL-C (95% confidence interval (1.6, 2.2), p < 0.001). Similar relationships were seen with changes in erythrocyte EPA and EPA + DHA. In adjusted analyses, an increased use of omega-3 supplements was associated with a significant increase in erythrocyte DHA and a decrease in LDL-C in both users and non-users of lipid-lowering drugs. Conclusions: In a predominantly male, normolipidemic, middle-aged cohort, increases in erythrocyte DHA were associated with decreases in LDL-C, and initiating fish oil supplement use did not increase LDL-C. These findings may serve to reassure individuals who, in adopting a more heart-healthy lifestyle, want to increase their omega-3 fatty acid intake.
AB - Background: The effects of fish oil products containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on LDL-C levels are controversial. Objective: To determine if changes in erythrocyte DHA are associated with changes in LDL-C levels. Methods: In this prospective observational study, erythrocyte DHA levels and LDL-C levels were measured in 9253 individuals who presented for at least two examinations at a medical clinic. Changes in DHA levels and the reported use of omega-3 dietary supplements were correlated with changes in LDL-C in multi-variable adjusted models including the use of LDL-C-lowering drugs. Results: Mean (standard deviation) age at baseline was 52.6 (10.6) years, and the time between exams averaged 1.9 (1.4) years. As a group, erythrocyte DHA increased from 5.0% (1.3) to 5.3% (1.3) (p < 0.001), and LDL-C was not significantly changed (109 (33) to 108 (33) mg/dL, p = 0.875). However, in multivariable-adjusted models of within-participant changes, a 1% increase in erythrocyte DHA was associated with a 1.9 mg/dL reduction in LDL-C (95% confidence interval (1.6, 2.2), p < 0.001). Similar relationships were seen with changes in erythrocyte EPA and EPA + DHA. In adjusted analyses, an increased use of omega-3 supplements was associated with a significant increase in erythrocyte DHA and a decrease in LDL-C in both users and non-users of lipid-lowering drugs. Conclusions: In a predominantly male, normolipidemic, middle-aged cohort, increases in erythrocyte DHA were associated with decreases in LDL-C, and initiating fish oil supplement use did not increase LDL-C. These findings may serve to reassure individuals who, in adopting a more heart-healthy lifestyle, want to increase their omega-3 fatty acid intake.
KW - Cardiovascular disease
KW - Docosapentaenoic acid
KW - Eicosapentaenoic acid
KW - Low density lipoprotein
KW - Omega-3 fatty acids
KW - Prospective cohort study
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jacl.2020.11.011
DO - 10.1016/j.jacl.2020.11.011
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85097664936
VL - 15
SP - 212
EP - 217
JO - Journal of Clinical Lipidology
JF - Journal of Clinical Lipidology
SN - 1933-2874
IS - 1
ER -