HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

EPA/DHA Supplements for the Circulation of Type II Diabetics

Study Abstract

Background: Recent evidence supports the protective effects of n–3 (omega-3) fatty acids (n–3 FAs), such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on vascular function.

Objective: We investigated the effects of EPA and DHA on postprandial vascular function in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Design: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover manner, 34 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus received daily either 2 g purified EPA/DHA (termed n–3 FAs) or olive oil (placebo) for 6 wk. At the end of this period, we measured macrovascular (brachial ultrasound of flow-mediated dilatation; FMD) and microvascular [laser-Doppler measurements of reactive hyperemia (RH) of the hand] function at fasting and 2, 4, and 6 h after a high-fat meal (600 kcal, 21 g protein, 41 g carbohydrates, 40 g fat).

Results: Fasting vascular function remained unchanged after n–3 FAs and placebo. Postprandial FMD decreased from fasting after placebo, with a maximum decrease (38%) at 4 h—an effect that was significantly reduced (P = 0.03 for time x treatment interaction) by n–3 FA supplementation (maximum decrease in FMD was at 4 h: 13%). RH remained unchanged after placebo, whereas it improved significantly (P = 0.04 for time x treatment interaction) after n–3 FA supplementation (maximum increase was at 2 h: 27%).

Conclusions: In subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 6 wk of supplementation with n–3 FAs reduced the postprandial decrease in macrovascular function relative to placebo. Moreover, n–3 FA supplementation improved postprandial microvascular function. These observations suggest a protective vascular effect of n–3 FAs.

Study Information

Alin Stirban, Simona Nandrean, Christian Götting, Ronald Tamler, Alexandra Pop, Monica Negrean, Thomas Gawlowski, Bernd Stratmann and Diethelm Tschoepe
Effects of n–3 fatty acids on macro- and microvascular function in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Am J Clin Nutr
2010 March
Diabetes Center, the Institute for LaboratoryTransfusion Medicine, Heart Diabetes Center, Bad Oeynhausen Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.