Omega-3 fatty acids alter lipoprotein subfraction distributions and the in vitro conversion of very low density lipoproteins to low density lipoproteins

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a fish oil concentrate (FOC) on the in vitro conversion of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) to intermediate (IDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL). Six hypertriglyceridemic patients were randomly allocated to receive either placebo (olive oil) or FOC (1 g/14 kg body weight/day) for 4 weeks in a crossover study with a 4-week washout period. The FOC provided 3 g of eicosapentaenoic + docosahexaenoic acid per 70 kg of body weight, and it lowered plasma triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol levels by 35% and 42%, respectively. Decreases in the largest particles (VLDL₁) were primarily responsible, with no effect noted in smaller VLDL particles (VLDL₂ and VLDL₃). The FOC increased LDL cholesterol levels by 25% (P < 0.06) but did not affect LDL particle size. VLDL₁ and VLDL₃ were incubated in vitro with human postheparin lipases. Although triglycerides from both types of VLDL were hydrolyzed to the same extent with both treatments, particles isolated during the FOC phase were more readily converted into IDL and LDL than were control particles. These data suggest that the marine ω3 fatty acids may enhance the propensity of VLDL to be converted to LDL, partly explaining the decreased VLDL and increased LDL levels in FOC-treated patients. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.