Translating plasma eicosapentaenoic acid concentrations into erythrocyte percentages of eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid during treatment with icosapent ethyl

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and pulmonary arterial hypertension: Insights and perspectives

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and progressive disorder that affects the pulmonary vasculature. Although recent developments in pharmacotherapy have extended the life expectancy of PAH patients, their 5-year survival remains unacceptably low, underscoring the need for multitarget and more comprehensive approaches to managing the disease. This should incorporate not only medical, but also lifestyle interventions, including dietary changes and the use of nutraceutical support. Among these strategies, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are emerging as promising agents able to counteract the inflammatory component of PAH. In this narrative review, we aim at analysing the preclinical evidence for the impact of n-3 PUFAs on the pathogenesis and the course of PAH. Although evidence for the role of n-3 PUFAs deficiencies in the development and progression of PAH in humans is limited, preclinical studies suggest that these dietary components may influence several aspects of the pathobiology of PAH. Further clinical research should test the efficacy of n-3 PUFAs on top of approved clinical management. These studies will provide evidence on whether n-3 PUFAs can genuinely serve as a valuable tool to enhance the efficacy of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of PAH.

Omega-3 Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) Rich Extract from the Microalga Nannochloropsis Decreases Cholesterol in Healthy Individuals: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Three-Month Supplementation Study

The aim of this trial is to assess the effect of Almega^®PL on improving the Omega-3 Index, cardio-metabolic parameters, and other biomarkers in generally healthy individuals. The benefits of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular health are primarily built upon mixtures of docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA). Highly purified EPA therapy has proven to be particularly effective in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, but less is known about the benefits of EPA-only supplementation for the general healthy population. Almega^®PL is a polar rich oil (>15%) derived from the microalga Nannochloropsis that contains EPA (>25%) with no DHA. Participants (n = 120) were given a capsule of 1 g/day of either Almega^®PL or placebo for 12 weeks. Differences in the Omega-3 Index, cardiometabolic markers, and other general health indicators were measured at the baseline, six, and 12 weeks. Compared to the placebo group, Almega^®PL supplementation significantly increased the Omega-3 Index and EPA concentration from 4.96 ± 0.90 and 0.82 ± 0.37% at the baseline to 5.75 ± 0.90 and 1.27 ± 0.36 at week 12, respectively. Very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) decreased by 25%, which resulted in a significant decrease in total cholesterol compared to the placebo. Interestingly, the decrease in VLDL was not associated with an increase in LDL, which seems to be a benefit associated with EPA-only based formulations. Collectively, these results show that Almega^®PL provides a natural EPA-only option to increase EPA and manage cholesterol levels in the general population.