Does omega-3 PUFAs supplementation improve metabolic syndrome and related cardiovascular diseases? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

The adjuvant treatment role of ω-3 fatty acids by regulating gut microbiota positively in the acne vulgaris

Objectives:We aimed to explore the potential role of omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acids on acne vulgaris by modulating gut microbiota.Materials and Methods:We randomly divided the untreated acne patients into two groups with or without ω-3 fatty acids intervention for 12 weeks. The Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with acne model were given isotretinoin, ω-3 fatty acids or their combination respectively. Then the colonic contents samples of the drug intervention SD rats were transferred to the pseudo sterile rats with acne model. The severity of the disease was assessed by the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) score of the patients, and the swelling rate of auricle and the pathological section of the rat with acne model. The 16S rDNA gene sequencing was performed to detect the alteration of the gut microbiota.Results:ω-3 fatty acids could increase the diversity of the gut microbiota and regulate the flora structure positively both in the patients and rats, increase the abundance of butyric acid producing bacteria and GAGS score in the patients, and alleviate the inflammation and comedones of rats.Conclusion:Supplementation of ω-3 fatty acids could alleviate the inflammation of acne vulgaris by increasing the abundance of butyric acid producing bacteria.

Omega-3 fatty acids effectively mitigate high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) biomarker of inflammation in acute myocardial infarction patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Myocardial infarction (MI) is considered an inflammatory disease and among the leading causes of death globally. An essential indicator of inflammation, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), is linked with the acute MI prognosis. We aimed to examine the impact of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as an anti-inflammatory supplement on hs-CRP levels in acute MI patients. Sixty patients with acute MI participated in this randomized, placebo-controlled trial. For 30 days, patients were randomized to receive omega-3 PUFAs (2 g/day, N = 30) or placebo (N = 30) on top of guideline-directed medical therapy. An initial and endpoint measurement of hs-CRP was performed. We found that the hs-CRP levels in both omega-3 PUFAs and placebo groups remarkably decreased following 30 days of treatment (decreasing from 1.84 (2.3) and 1.3 (2.6) to 0.38 (0.54) and 0.63 (1.12) mg/dL, respectively; P < 0.001). Following the 30 days of treatment, the reducing impact of omega-3 PUFAs (↓ 1.54 (1.98) mg/dL) on hs-CRP was more robust than the placebo group (↓ 0.92 (1.57) mg/dL, P = 0.008). Furthermore, the WBC, cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels were markedly decreased in omega-3 and placebo groups after 30 days of therapy (P < 0.001 for all). However, no remarkable differences were reported in the level of these parameters after 30 days of therapy between both studied groups. Our findings showed that omega-3 PUFAs decrease hs-CRP amounts in patients with acute MI. Omega-3 PUFA supplementation may be an appropriate candidate in patients with early-stage acute MI for inhibiting inflammation.

Fatty acid composition in erythrocytes and coronary artery disease risk: a case-control study in China

Background and aims: There is limited and conflicting evidence about the association of erythrocyte fatty acids with coronary artery disease (CAD), particularly in China where the CAD rates are high. Our study aimed to explore the association between erythrocyte fatty acid composition and CAD risk in Chinese adults. Methods: Erythrocyte fatty acids of 314 CAD patients and 314 matched controls were measured by gas chromatography. Multivariable conditional logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were used to explore the odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (OR, 95% CI) and potential association between erythrocyte fatty acids and CAD risk. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze further the potential role of various erythrocyte fatty acid patterns in relation to CAD risk. Results: Significant inverse associations were observed between high levels of erythrocyte total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) [ORT3-T1 = 0.18 (0.12, 0.28)], monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) [ORT3-T1 = 0.21 (0.13, 0.32)], and the risk of CAD. Conversely, levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFAs) were positively associated with CAD risk [ORT3-T1 = 3.33 (2.18, 5.13), ORT3-T1 = 1.61 (1.06, 2.43)]. No significant association was observed between CAD risk and total trans fatty acids. Additionally, the PCA identifies four new fatty acid patterns (FAPs). The risk of CAD was significantly positively associated with FAP1 and FAP2, while being negatively correlated with FAP3 and FAP4. Conclusion: The different types of erythrocyte fatty acids may significantly alter susceptibility to CAD. Elevated levels of n-3-PUFAs and MUFAs are considered as protective biomarkers against CAD, while SFAs and n-6 PUFAs may be associated with higher CAD risk in Chinese adults. The risk of CAD was positively associated with FAP1 and FAP2, and negatively associated with FAP3 and FAP4. Combinations of erythrocyte fatty acids may be more important markers of CAD development than individual fatty acids or their subgroups.

Comparison of the effects of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids on the lipotoxicity of islets

Background

Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been reported to combat saturated fatty acid (SFA)-induced cellular damage, however, their clinical effects on patients with metabolic diseases such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia are still controversial. Since comparative studies of the effects of these two types of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) are still limited. In this study, we aimed to compare the protective effects of various UFAs on pancreatic islets under the stress of SFA-induced metabolic disorder and lipotoxicity.

Methods

Rat insulinoma cell line INS-1E were treated with palmitic acid (PA) with or without UFAs including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA), and oleic acid (OA) to determine cell viability, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and inflammatory. In vivo, male C57BL/6 mice were fed a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 w. Then the lard in HFD was partially replaced with fish oil (FO) and olive oil (OO) at low or high proportions of energy (5% or 20%) to observe the ameliorative effects of the UFA supplement.

Results

All UFAs significantly improved PA-induced cell viability impairment in INS-1E cells, and their alleviation on PA induced apoptosis, ER stress and inflammation were confirmed. Particularly, OA had better effects than EPA, DHA, and AA on attenuating cellular ER stress. In vivo, the diets with a low proportion of UFAs (5% of energy) had limited effects on HFD induced metabolic disorder, except for a slight improved intraperitoneal glucose tolerance in obese mice. However, when fed diets containing a high proportion of UFAs (20% of energy), both the FO and OO groups exhibited substantially improved glucose and lipid metabolism, such as decrease in total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and fasting blood insulin (FBI)) and improvement of insulin sensitivity evidenced by intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT). Unexpectedly, FO resulted in abnormal elevation of the liver function index aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum. Pathologically, OO attenuated HFD-induced compensatory hyperplasia of pancreatic islets, while this effect was not obvious in the FO group.

Conclusions

Both MUFAs and PUFAs can effectively protect islet β cells from SFA-induced cellular lipotoxicity. In particular, both OA in vitro and OO in vivo showed superior activities on protecting islets function and enhance insulin sensitivity, suggesting that MUFAs might have greater potential for nutritional intervention on diabetes.

Insight into the Interaction Mechanism of Vitamin D against Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis and In Silico Study

As a dietary supplement or functional food additive, vitamin D (VD) deficiency may impact extra-skeletal functions associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors. However, the precise effects and mechanisms of VD supplementation on dyslipidemia and insulin resistance in MetS subjects remain controversial. Here, we investigate potential therapeutic targets, pathways and mechanisms of VD against MetS through a comprehensive strategy including meta-analysis, network pharmacology analysis, molecular docking, dynamics simulations, and quantum chemical calculations. Our results reveal that VD supplementation significantly reduces triglyceride levels, fasting glucose, and insulin concentrations in subjects, thereby improving insulin homeostasis to some extent. We theoretically identify 14 core MetS-associated targets. Notably, VD exhibits substantial interactions with three targets (PPARγ, FABP4, and HMGCR) in the PPAR signaling pathway, indicating that VD can modulate this pathway. Van der Waals forces predominantly stabilize the complexes formed between VD and the three targets. Nonetheless, to provide valuable insights for personalized MetS management, further research is necessary to confirm our findings, emphasizing the importance of exploring genetic variability in VD response. In conclusion, our study contributes insights into the mechanisms of VD in preventing and treating MetS through dietary supplementation, promoting the development of VD-based functional foods or nutritious diets.

Association between polyunsaturated fatty acid intake and the prevalence of erectile dysfunction: A cross-sectional analysis of the NHANES 2001-2004

BACKGROUND

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have demonstrated significant therapeutic potential across a wide range of disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of PUFA intake on the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODS

The study included a total of 3730 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2004. Univariate analysis, multivariate regression analysis, subgroup analysis and machine learning were utilized to explore the relationship of variables to ED. Dose response curves were constructed to observe the linear or nonlinear relationship between PUFA intake and the prevalence of ED. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used for sensitivity analysis. Finally, the potential mechanistic link between PUFA intake and ED was explored.

RESULTS

Through univariate and multivariate regression analysis results before and after PSM and XGBoost algorithm model results, arachidonic acid (AA) was chosen as the main research object. The consumption of AA was found to be associated with a decreased prevalence of ED under the fully adjusted model [OR = 0.33 (0.20, 0.56), P < 0.001]. The interaction between AA and education was found in the subgroup analysis. Dose-response curves indicated a linear negative correlation between AA intake and the prevalence of ED. The above results were confirmed in the data analysis after 1:1 PSM. In addition, AA intake was associated with a decrease in inflammatory biomarkers and homocysteine.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that AA intake is negatively correlated with the prevalence of ED. Further, anti-inflammatory and anti-endothelial damage may play a role in this.