Fish oil supplementation results in decreased hypertriglyceridemia in patients with psoriasis undergoing etretinate or acitretin therapy

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Management of Hypertriglyceridemia: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association

Hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides 200-499 mg/dL) is relatively common in the United States, whereas more severe triglyceride elevations (very high triglycerides, ≥500 mg/dL) are far less frequently observed. Both are becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States and elsewhere, likely driven in large part by growing rates of obesity and diabetes mellitus. In a 2002 American Heart Association scientific statement, the omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were recommended (at a dose of 2-4 g/d) for reducing triglycerides in patients with elevated triglycerides. Since 2002, prescription agents containing EPA+DHA or EPA alone have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating very high triglycerides; these agents are also widely used for hypertriglyceridemia. The purpose of this advisory is to summarize the lipid and lipoprotein effects resulting from pharmacological doses of n-3 FAs (>3 g/d total EPA+DHA) on the basis of new scientific data and availability of n-3 FA agents. In treatment of very high triglycerides with 4 g/d, EPA+DHA agents reduce triglycerides by ≥30% with concurrent increases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, whereas EPA-only did not raise low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in very high triglycerides. When used to treat hypertriglyceridemia, n-3 FAs with EPA+DHA or with EPA-only appear roughly comparable for triglyceride lowering and do not increase low-density lipoprotein cholesterol when used as monotherapy or in combination with a statin. In the largest trials of 4 g/d prescription n-3 FA, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B were modestly decreased, indicating reductions in total atherogenic lipoproteins. The use of n-3 FA (4 g/d) for improving atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in patients with hypertriglyceridemia is supported by a 25% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With EPA Intervention Trial), a randomized placebo-controlled trial of EPA-only in high-risk patients treated with a statin. The results of a trial of 4 g/d prescription EPA+DHA in hypertriglyceridemia are anticipated in 2020. We conclude that prescription n-3 FAs (EPA+DHA or EPA-only) at a dose of 4 g/d (>3 g/d total EPA+DHA) are an effective and safe option for reducing triglycerides as monotherapy or as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering agents.

Diet in dermatology: Part II. Melanoma, chronic urticaria, and psoriasis

The roles of dietary factors in aggravating, preventing, or treating skin diseases are common questions encountered in dermatology practice. Part II of this two-part series reviews dietary modifications that can potentially be utilized in the management of melanoma, chronic urticaria, and psoriasis patients. Specifically, we examine the effect of alcohol consumption and supplementation with vitamins D and E, polyunsaturated fatty acids, selenium, green tea, resveratrol, and lycopene on melanoma risk. The relationships between chronic urticaria symptoms and dietary pseudoallergens, gluten, and vitamin D are analyzed. We explore weight loss, reduced alcohol consumption, and gluten avoidance as means of reducing psoriasis-associated morbidity, as well as the possible utility of supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids, folic acid, vitamin D, and antioxidants. With proper knowledge of the role of diet in these cutaneous disease processes, dermatologists can better answer patient inquiries and consider implementation of dietary modifications as adjuncts to other treatments and preventative measures.

Increased serum level of N-terminal Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide as a possible biomarker of cardiovascular risk in psoriatic patients

BACKGROUND

Apparently, these days psoriasis is regarded as a systemic disease with frequent cardiovascular comorbidities, such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, valvular defects etc., which may lead to reduced lifespan or even sudden death. Therefore, it is important that biomarkers helpful in early detection or prediction of cardiovascular complications as well as their prevention should be identified. Even though the N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a well-known cardiovascular predictor in cardiovascular (CV) patients and in the general population, its usefulness in detection of CV comorbidities in psoriatic patients is still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine whether the N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration was increased in psoriatic patients.

METHODS

The study included 73 psoriatic patients and 45 age-matched healthy individuals. The serum NT pro-BNP concentration as well as lipid profile parameters were assessed in the study and control groups. Correlations between patients' clinical data, their serum NT-proBNP and lipid concentrations were calculated.

RESULTS

The serum concentration of NT-proBNP was significantly higher in psoriatic patients (109.22 ± 172.59 pg/mL) in comparison with controls (35.82 ± 22.90 pg/mL) (P = 0.000054). In 28 (38.36%) psoriatic patients the lipid profile was within normal limits, whereas in 45 (61.64%) psoriatic patients triglyceride and/or total cholesterol were increased. Moreover, in both psoriatic groups, i.e. normo- and hyperlipidaemic, NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly higher compared to normo- and hyperlipidaemic controls, P = 0.02 and P = 0.001 respectively. A positive correlation was found between the NT-proBNP concentration and duration of psoriasis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings confirmed higher NT-proBNP concentrations in psoriatic patients, which could be a useful biomarker of CV disease in both normo- and hyperlipidaemic groups.

Lipid disturbances in psoriasis: an update

Psoriasis is a common disease with the population prevalence ranging from 2% to 3%. Its prevalence in the population is affected by genetic, environmental, viral, infectious, immunological, biochemical, endocrinological, and psychological factors, as well as alcohol and drug abuse. In the recent years, psoriasis has been recognised as a systemic disease associated with numerous multiorgan abnormalities and complications. Dyslipidemia is one of comorbidities in psoriatic patients. Lipid metabolism studies in psoriasis have been started at the beginning of the 20th century and are concentrated on skin surface lipids, stratum corneum lipids and epidermal phospholipids, serum lipids, dermal low-density lipoproteins in the psoriatic skin, lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and correlations between inflammatory parameters, lipid parameters and clinical symptoms of the disease. On the basis of the literature data, psoriasis can be described as an immunometabolic disease.

Fish oil and fenofibrate for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia in HIV-infected subjects on antiretroviral therapy: results of ACTG A5186

INTRODUCTION

Fish oil has been shown to reduce serum triglyceride (TG) concentrations. In HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy, high TG concentrations likely contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. AIDS Clinical Trials Group A5186 examined the safety and efficacy of fish oil plus fenofibrate in subjects not achieving serum TG levels < or =200 mg/dL with either agent alone.

METHODS

One hundred subjects on highly active antiretroviral therapy with serum TG concentrations > or =400 mg/dL and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol < or =160 mg/dL were randomized to 3 g of fish oil twice daily or 160 mg of fenofibrate daily for 8 weeks. Subjects with a fasting TG level >200 mg/dL at week 8 received a combination of fish oil and fenofibrate in the same doses from week 10 to week 18.

RESULTS

Median baseline TG was 662 mg/dL in the fish oil group and 694 mg/dL in the fenofibrate group (P = not significant). Fish oil reduced TG levels by a median of 283 mg/dL (46%), fenofibrate reduced them by 367 mg/dL (58%), and combination therapy reduced them by 65.5%. Combination therapy achieved TG levels of < or =200 mg/dL in 22.7% subjects. Fish oil had no measurable effect on immunologic parameters or the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir.

CONCLUSIONS

Fish oil was safe when administered alone or combined with fenofibrate and significantly reduced TG levels in HIV-infected subjects with hypertriglyceridemia.

Randomized study of the safety and efficacy of fish oil (omega-3 fatty acid) supplementation with dietary and exercise counseling for the treatment of antiretroviral therapy-associated hypertriglyceridemia

BACKGROUND

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils) reduce fasting serum triglyceride levels and cardiovascular disease risk in individuals without HIV infection. Whether omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can reduce hypertriglyceridemia associated with antiretroviral therapy is not known.

METHODS

We conducted an open-label, randomized trial that enrolled 52 patients receiving > or =3 active antiretrovirals who had fasting triglyceride levels of >200 mg/dL and were randomized to receive nutritionist-administered dietary and exercise counseling with or without fish oil supplementation for 16 weeks.

RESULTS

Patients assigned to receive fish oil experienced a 25% mean decline in fasting triglyceride levels at week 4 (95% CI, -34.6% to -15.7% change), compared with a 2.8% mean increase among patients assigned to receive counseling alone (95% CI, -17.5% to +23.1% change) (P=.007). By week 16, the mean reduction in triglyceride levels in the fish oil arm remained significant, at 19.5% (95% CI, -34.9% to -4.0% change), whereas the mean decrease in the diet and exercise only arm was 5.7% (95% CI, -24.6% to +13.2% change); however, the difference between study arms was no longer statistically significant (P=.12). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels had increased by 15.6% (95% CI, +4.8% to +26.4% change) at week 4 and by 22.4% (95% CI, +7.91% to +36.8% change) at week 16 in the fish oil arm but did not change in the diet and exercise only group. Fish oil was well tolerated; only 1 patient experienced treatment-limiting toxicity. Patients assigned to receive fish oil experienced a 25% mean decline in fasting triglyceride levels at week 4 (95% CI, -34.6% to -15.7% change), compared with a 2.8% mean increase in patients assigned to receive counseling alone (95% CI, -17.5% to 23.1% change) (P=.007). By week 16, the mean reduction in triglyceride levels in the fish oil arm remained significant, at 19.5% (95% CI, -34.9% to -4.0% change), whereas the mean decrease in the diet and exercise only arm was 5.7% (95% CI, -24.6% to 13.2% change); however, the difference between study arms was no longer statistically significant (P=.12). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels had increased by 15.6% (95% CI, 4.8%-26.4% change) at week 4 and by 22.4% (95% CI, 7.91%-36.8% change) at week 16 in the fish oil arm but did not change in the diet and exercise only group. Fish oil was well tolerated; only 1 patient experienced treatment-limiting toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids in combination with dietary and exercise counseling was well tolerated and reduced fasting triglyceride levels in patients receiving antiretrovirals. To what extent the increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels observed in patients assigned this intervention is attributable to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and whether this increase attenuates any benefit in lowering triglyceride levels is unclear. Given these results, further investigation of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia in HIV-infected patients is warranted.

A comparison of the effectiveness of soy protein isolate and fish oil for reducing the severity of retinoid-induced hypertriglyceridemia

The effectiveness of soy protein isolate (SPI) to reduce the severity of retinoid-induced hypertriglyceridemia has been demonstrated in the rat, but not in human subjects. Because fish oil has been demonstrated to be effective at lowering serum triglyceride concentration in human subjects undergoing retinoid therapy, a study was conducted to compare the ability of SPI with that of fish oil to reduce the severity of retinoid-induced hypertriglyceridemia in the rat. Male Fischer 344 rats, n=8/group, were fed one of four isonitrogenous, isoenergetic diets, consisting of a control diet containing 24% casein +20% corn oil (C), and three 13-cis retinoic acid (13cRA)-supplemented diets containing 24% casein +20% corn oil (R), 24% SPI +20% corn oil (SR), and 24% casein +15% fish oil and 5% corn oil (FR). There was no effect of diet on food intake or final body weight. Serum triglyceride concentration for group R was higher (P<0.001) than for groups C, SR, and FR (7.20 vs. 2.50, 2.84, and 2.02 mmol/L, respectively); values for groups SR and FR did not differ for this parameter. The serum concentration of 13cRA for group R did not differ from that for groups SR and FR. Thus, SPI was as effective as fish oil in reducing the severity of retinoid-induced hypertriglyceridemia in an animal model, suggesting that it may be effective for this purpose in human subjects.

Diet and dermatology. The role of dietary manipulation in the prevention and treatment of cutaneous disorders

The role of dietary manipulation and vitamins in the prevention and treatment of certain skin diseases is reviewed. Manipulation of nutrition by either diet restriction or supplementation can effect cutaneous disorders such as skin cancer, wound healing, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and dermatitis herpetiformis.

Acitretin. A review of its pharmacology and therapeutic use

Acitretin (etretin), a second generation monoaromatic retinoid for use in the treatment of severe psoriasis and other dermatoses, is the major active metabolite of etretinate and possesses a similar therapeutic index; i.e. a similar ratio of clinical efficacy to adverse effects. When used alone at a maintenance dosage of 30 to 50mg daily, acitretin is effective in the treatment of psoriasis, causing a reduction in the severity of scaling, erythema and induration. Efficacy appears to be further enhanced by combination with psoralen-ultraviolet A photochemotherapy (PUVA) or ultraviolet B irradiation (UVB). These combinations reduce the time to lesion clearance and reduce the total radiation dose, improving overall safety. Comparative studies have confirmed the equivalence of acitretin and etrtinate with regard to efficacy and toxicity. Adverse reactions are dose-related and generally typical of hypervitaminosis A. Alopecia and mucocutaneous symptoms such as cheilitis and drying of the mucous membranes are particularly prevalent. Hypertriglyceridaemia and elevation of cholesterol levels also occur. Examination of the pharmacokinetic profile of acitretin reveals its main advantage over etretinate. Acitretin is less lipophilic than etretinate, and its lack of sequestration into 'deep' fatty storage sites is reflected in a comparatively short terminal elimination half-life of 50 to 60 hours, compared with 120 days for etretinate. Due to its teratogenic potential, acitretin is strictly contraindicated in women of childbearing potential unless effective contraceptive measures are employed. Etretinate has been identified in plasma samples of some patients treated with acitretin. Thus, acetretin has an established place in the treatment of keratinising disorders, although its use in women of child-bearing potential must be accompanied by effective contraceptive measures, with a further 2-year contraceptive period after therapy completion.

Uptake of the aromatic retinoids Ro 10-9359 (etretinate) and Ro 10-1670 (acitretin), its main metabolite, delivered to cultured human fibroblasts by serum proteins. Lack of evidence for perturbation of LDL catabolism

Etretinate or acitretin are efficiently delivered to cultured human fibroblasts in the presence of low density lipoproteins, high density lipoproteins or human serum albumin. In contrast to acitretin, delivery of etretinate to fibroblasts is more efficiently achieved with human serum albumin than with lipoproteins. The uptake of etretinate and acitretin via low density lipoproteins delivery, does not take place via the low density lipoprotein-receptor endocytotic pathway but mostly through a passive exchange with the plasma membrane. However, in contrast to acitretin, the exchange of etretinate seems to occur alter binding of etretinate-loaded low density lipoproteins to the apolipoprotein B receptors. No differences are observed in binding, internalization and degradation of native, etretinate-loaded low density lipoproteins and acitretin-loaded low density lipoproteins, suggesting that the presence of these retinoids in low density lipoproteins does not alter their processing by the cells. Furthermore, the presence of these retinoids in the cells does not notably affect, under our experimental conditions, the catabolism of native low density lipoproteins.

In vitro interactions of the aromatic retinoids Ro 10-9359 (etretinate) and Ro 10-1670 (acitretin), its main metabolite, with human serum lipoproteins and albumin

Serum lipoproteins are good carriers for the aromatic retinoid Ro 10-9359 (etretinate) and to a lesser extent for its main metabolite in human Ro 10-1670 (acitretin). Up to about 200 and 130 etretinate molecules and 200 and 70 acitretin molecules can bind to one LDL and one HDL, respectively. In contrast human serum albumin only binds about 10 etretinate or 30 acitretin molecules. In whole human serum loaded with the retinoids, lipoproteins carry approx. 67% of total etretinate or approx. 37% of total acitretin. In the particular case of etretinate, low density lipoproteins account for about 30% of the lipoprotein-carried etretinate.

The role of fish oil in psoriasis. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of fish oil and topical corticosteroid therapy in psoriasis

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, patients received 10 fish or olive oil capsules three times daily for the whole study in addition to applying betamethasone diproprionate to their psoriatic plaques for the first 3 weeks. Most patients gradually worsened upon discontinuation of corticosteroids. Using survival analysis methods, no significant difference was found between the fish and olive oil groups. The authors attempt to put the role of fish oil in the therapy of psoriasis into perspective and discuss the efficacy of fish oil when used alone versus in combination therapy.

The vascular effects of omega-3 fatty acids

Much has been learned in the past two decades about the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on human biology. These distinctive fatty acids are derived principally from marine sources such as fish and fish oil. They are rapidly incorporated into cell membranes after their ingestion in the diet and subsequently may alter a myriad of cellular functions. For example, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid may inhibit the synthesis of several prostaglandins and leukotrienes, as well as reduce the cellular production of cytokines or growth factors such as interleukin-1 or platelet-derived growth factor. Some of these functional changes found after fish-oil ingestion may have therapeutic implications in the treatment of human disease. Studies are now underway to investigate the effect of fish-oil preparations or more-purified omega-3 fatty acids on arterial injury, thrombosis or atherosclerosis, as well as to study their effects in certain inflammatory or cutaneous disorders, such as psoriasis. This paper will review the current body of research on marine oils and will focus specifically on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in vascular biology and associated disease states. The potential toxicity of these fatty acids will be discussed, as well as current indications (or lack of them) for their therapeutic use in humans.