Omega-3 fatty acids and lipoprotein associated phospholipase A(2) in healthy older adult males and females.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine if an 8-week diet supplemented with flaxseed oil (ALA) would alter Lp-PLA(2) levels, an inflammatory marker linked to cardiovascular disease, in healthy adults aged 50+.
Results Summary
The study found no significant changes in Lp-PLA(2) mass or activity after flaxseed oil supplementation, though changes in oxidized LDL were associated with Lp-PLA(2) mass.
Population
Healthy adults aged 50+ (~75% female, average age 61 years).
Effective Dosage
~11 g/day of flaxseed oil capsules.
Duration
8 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8-week isocaloric diet supplemented with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) in the form of fish oil | no change | Lp-PLA(2) activity or mass | healthy adults ages 50 years and older | no significant changes | did not influence | #1 |
8-week isocaloric diet supplemented with α-linolenic acid (ALA) in the form of flaxseed oil | no change | Lp-PLA(2) activity or mass | healthy adults ages 50 years and older | no significant changes | did not influence | #2 |
control group consuming olive oil capsules | no change | Lp-PLA(2) mass or activity | healthy adults ages 50 years and older | no significant changes | did not find any significant changes | #3 |
- | neutral | Lp-PLA(2) mass | - | r = 0.37, p < 0.01 | was associated with | #4 |
omega-3 fatty acids | no change | Lp-PLA(2) activity or mass | older adults | - | did not influence | #5 |
PURPOSE: Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) 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-PLA(2) 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-PLA(2) mass and activity as well as lipid values. RESULTS: We did not find any significant changes in Lp-PLA(2) mass or activity after the intervention in any of the groups; however, change in oxidized LDL was associated with change in Lp-PLA(2) mass (r = 0.37, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Supplementing the diet with omega-3 fatty acids for 8-weeks did not influence Lp-PLA(2) activity or mass among older adults; altering oxidized LDL may be necessary to see changes in Lp-PLA(2) levels.