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The effect of marine n-3 fatty acids in different doses on plasma concentrations of Lp-PLA2 in healthy adults

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Abstract

Background

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is an emerging independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lp-PLA2 can be modified by lipid lowering drugs, but it is unknown whether diet can reduce plasma levels of Lp-PLA2.

Aim of the study

The aim of the trial was to study the effect of marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on plasma Lp-PLA2 levels in healthy subjects.

Methods

Sixty healthy subjects were randomized to a moderate dose (2 g) of n-3 PUFA, a high dose (6.6 g) of n-3 PUFA or olive oil (control) daily for 12 weeks. Plasma Lp-PLA2 was measured at baseline and after the interventions.

Results

Plasma Lp-PLA2 levels were unchanged in all three groups before and after the supplements. Neither did the results differ between groups. There was no correlation between the content of n-3 PUFA in platelets or granulocytes or plasma Lp-PLA2.

Conclusion

Marine n-3 PUFA had no effect on plasma levels of Lp-PLA2 in healthy adults and relatively young people.

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Conflict of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Funding No funding has been received.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Cardiology and Center for Cardiovascular Research, Aalborg Hospital, Århus University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark

    Maria Weinkouff Pedersen &  Erik Berg Schmidt

  2. Dept. of Internal Medicine II-Cardiology, University of Ulm, Medical Center, Ulm, Germany

    Wolfgang Koenig

  3. Dept. of Nephrology and Center for Cardiovascular Research, Aalborg Hospital, Århus University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark

    Jeppe Hagstrup Christensen

Authors
  1. Maria Weinkouff Pedersen
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  2. Wolfgang Koenig
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  3. Jeppe Hagstrup Christensen
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  4. Erik Berg Schmidt
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erik Berg Schmidt.

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Weinkouff Pedersen, M., Koenig, W., Hagstrup Christensen, J. et al. The effect of marine n-3 fatty acids in different doses on plasma concentrations of Lp-PLA2 in healthy adults. Eur J Nutr 48, 1–5 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-008-0758-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-008-0758-z

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