The Effect of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Androgen Status in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

The anti-androgenic role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has recently been proposed. The present study aimed to systematically review clinical trials assessing the effects of n-3 PUFAs consumption on androgen status among adult females with PCOS. PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus were searched up to December 2015. Clinical investigations assessing the effect of n-3 PUFAs on adult females with PCOS were included. Mean±standard deviation of change in serum total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and dehydroepiandrostrone sulfate (DHEAS) were extracted. Eight clinical trials with 298 participants were eligible. Meta-analysis showed that n-3 PUFAs supplementation marginally reduces total testosterone (mean difference [MD]: - 0.19 nmol/l; 95% CI: - 0.39 to 0.00; p=0.054), but not SHBG (MD: 1.75 nmol/l; 95% CI: -0.51 to 4.01; p=0.129) or serum DHEAS levels (Hedes' g: -0.11 nmol/l; 95% CI: -0.29 to 0.06; p=0.19) among adult females with PCOS. Subgroup analyses showed that only before-after studies (Hedges' g: 0.15; 95% CI: -0.27 to -0.04; p=0.01) and long-term interventions (>6 weeks) (Hedges' g: -0.17; 95% CI, -0.29 to -0.05; p=0.004) had reducing effects on serum DHEAS levels. The majority of long-term trials utilized a single group design (no control group). It does not appear that n-3 PUFAs supplementation significantly affects the androgenic profile of females with PCOS; however, some before-after and long-term intervention studies show reduced DHEAS levels. Future studies incorporating double blinded placebo controlled clinical trials with long follow-up periods are warranted.

The relationship between nut consumption and lipid profile among the Iranian adult population; Isfahan Healthy Heart Program

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

The study was carried out to assess the relationship between nut consumption and lipid profile among Iranian adults.

SUBJECT/METHODS

The study was based on data from the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program across three counties in central Iran in 2007. A cross-sectional survey of 9660 randomly selected adults aged ≥ 19 years were chosen based on sex, age and settlement distributions in each community. Nutritional behaviors were assessed by validated qualitative 48-item food frequency questionnaires, which covered regular intakes of four types of nuts: walnuts, almonds, pistachios and hazelnuts. Analysis of covariance and logistic regression tests were utilized to determine odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval of hyperlipidemia according to nut consumption patterns in unadjusted and three-adjusted models.

RESULTS

The results showed a significant link between high nut consumption and lower total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and apo B/apo A ratio (P<0.05) in female subjects and lower TG, LDL-C and apoB/apoA ratio in male subjects (P<0.05). The frequency of nut consumption was inversely associated with dyslipidemia, especially for those who had consumed nuts ≥ 4 times weekly (0.67 (0.57-0.79)). After adjusting for sex, age and other potential confounders, ORs increased enormously. Except for low apo A and high LDL-C, more frequent nut consumption (4 ≤ times per week) had a significant inverse effect on other dyslipidemia risk factors in all four models.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that frequent consumption of nuts, particularly ≥ 4 times a week, may result in lower dyslipidemia occurrences and may exert cardioprotective effects.

Effect of eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and vitamin e on the blood levels of inflammatory markers, antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxidation in Iranian basketball players

BACKGROUND

Exercise can change the release of numerous cytokines and modulate their receptor systems. Dietary ω-3 lipids may decrease the levels of inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins (PGs). Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of exercise and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) supplementation, with or without vitamin E, on the blood levels of IL-2, TNF-α, catalase, glutathione reductase, and MDA in male basketball players.

METHODS

Thirty-four well-trained male basketball players were enrolled into the study. Venous blood samples were obtained from all subjects between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., after intensive endurance exercising for 2 hours, at the baseline and after intervention. Subjects received 2g EPA and/or 400 IU vitamin E or placebo depends on their groups for 6 weeks.

RESULTS

There were significant fall (paired t-test) in TNF-α in group1(P< 0.05), and in MDA in group 3 (P<0.05), whereas there were significant increase in glutathione reductase in groups1 and 3 (P< 0.05), and in MDA in group2 (P< 0.05).There were significant differences (Tukey) in glutathione reductase between groups 2 and 3 (P< 0.05), and in IL-2 between groups 1 and other groups (P< 0.01), but there were no significant differences in MDA, CAT, and TNF-α, among groups after 6 week of intervention.

CONCLUSION

Six weeks of EPA+vitamin E supplementation enhances the plasma levels of IL-2 and erythrocytes glutathione reductase, whereas it reduces TNF-α, and 6 weeks of EPA supplementation alone enhances only the serum level of MDA.