Abstract
Introduction: Inflammation and inflammatory biomarkers have emerged as integral components and predictors of incident cardiovascular (CV) disease. Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA and DHA) have anti-inflammatory properties, and have been variably associated with lower blood pressure, favorable blood lipid changes, and reduced CV events. Methods and results: We examined the cross-sectional association of red blood cell (RBC) fatty acids, representative of body membrane fatty acid composition, with 10 biomarkers active in multiple inflammatory pathways in 2724 participants (mean age 66±9 years, 54% women, 8% minorities) from the Framingham Offspring and minority Omni Cohorts. After multivariable adjustment, the RBC EPA and DHA content was inversely correlated (all P≤0.001) with 8 biomarkers: urinary isoprostanes (r=-0.16); and soluble interleukin-6 (r=-0.10); C-reactive protein (r=-0.08); tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (r=-0.08); intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (r=-0.08); P-selectin (r=-0.06); lipoprotein-associated phospholipase-A2 mass (r=-0.11) and activity (r=-0.08). The correlations for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was-0.05, P=0.006 and osteoprotegerin (r=-0.06, P=0.002) were only nominally significant. Conclusion: In our large community-based study, we observed modest inverse associations between several types of inflammatory biomarkers with RBC omega-3 fatty acid levels. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 431-436 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Atherosclerosis |
Volume | 240 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Biomarkers
- Cross-sectional study
- Inflammation
- Omega-3 fatty acids
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine