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Omega-3 fatty acids and lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 in healthy older adult males and females

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Abstract

Purpose

Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a novel inflammatory factor that has been independently associated with stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Omega-3 fats have been implicated in reducing inflammation associated with CVD. The aim of this study was to determine if an 8-week isocaloric diet supplemented with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) in the form of fish oil or α-linolenic acid (ALA) in the form of flaxseed oil would alter Lp-PLA2 among healthy adults ages 50 years and older.

Methods

Fifty-nine healthy adults (~75% female, average age 61 years) were randomized to one of three groups with equal amounts of total fat intake. All capsules contained ~1 g of fat. The control group (n = 19) consumed olive oil capsules (~11 g/day); the ALA group (n = 20) consumed flaxseed oil capsules (~11 g/day) and the EPA/DHA group (n = 20) consumed fish oil capsules (~2 g/day + 9 g/day of olive oil). Fasting blood samples were obtained before and after the 8-week intervention for determination of Lp-PLA2 mass and activity as well as lipid values.

Results

We did not find any significant changes in Lp-PLA2 mass or activity after the intervention in any of the groups; however, change in oxidized LDL was associated with change in Lp-PLA2 mass (r = 0.37, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Supplementing the diet with omega-3 fatty acids for 8-weeks did not influence Lp-PLA2 activity or mass among older adults; altering oxidized LDL may be necessary to see changes in Lp-PLA2 levels.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Experiment Station at Colorado State University. We would like to thank Robert Wolfert and diaDexus, Inc. for their support in performing the Lp-PLA2 assays.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Performance Clinical/Research Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, 220 Moby, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA

    T. L. Nelson & M. S. Hickey

  2. Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    T. L. Nelson & J. E. Hokanson

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  1. T. L. Nelson
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  2. J. E. Hokanson
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  3. M. S. Hickey
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Correspondence to T. L. Nelson.

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Nelson, T.L., Hokanson, J.E. & Hickey, M.S. Omega-3 fatty acids and lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 in healthy older adult males and females. Eur J Nutr 50, 185–193 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-010-0126-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-010-0126-7

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