Effects of Omega-3 Docosapentaenoic Acid on Lipids and Other Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

Study Summary

Elevated plasma triglycerides (TG) are due to an excess of TG-rich lipoproteins of several different types, most commonly of very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), but also intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL, or VLDL remnants), chylomicrons, and/or chylomicron remnants. Epidemiologic evidence that a moderate elevation in TG is often associated with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, and more recent evidence from Mendelian randomization studies has shown that elevated TG associated with genetic variants may be a causal factor for ASCVD and possibly for premature all-cause mortality.\[1-6\] Fasting plasma TG concentrations may be categorized as: normal (\< 150 mg/dL ), borderline (150-199 mg/dL), high TG (HTG, 200-499 mg/dL), and very high TG (VHTG, ≥ 500 mg/dL).\[7, 8\] Risk of acute pancreatitis is increased in VHTG patients, especially those with TG ≥ 1000 mg/dL.\[9\] For VHTG, the primary goal of therapy is to reduce TG to \< 500 mg/dL,\[10\] whereas there is no specific treatment goal for HTG nor prescription indication. However, the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA have well-established efficacy in reducing TG in the range of 150-500 when administered at doses of \> or = 3 g/d EPA+DHA (reviewed in Skulas-Ray et al. in press). Importantly, administration of omega-3 fatty acids to people with TG in this range lead to a 25% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular endpoints in the recently completed "Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with EPA Intervention Trial" (REDUCE-IT).\[11\] The results of REDUCE-IT provide compelling evidence for the use 3 g/d omega-3 fatty acid supplementation to reduce cardiovascular risk among patients with TG 150-500 mg/dL. The concentrated EPA supplement used in REDUCE-IT is just one of three long chain n-3 omega-3 fatty acids that influence lipids and lipoproteins and other aspects of cardiovascular risk. Most research has focused on the evaluation of EPA and DHA, which are the two predominant n-3 FA

Primary Outcome

Fasting blood work (triglycerides)

Interventions

• DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT Placebo
• DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT DPA enriched n-3
• DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT n-3 control