The benefits of ω-3 supplementation depend on adiponectin basal level and adiponectin increase after the supplementation: A randomized clinical trial
Nutrition Volume 34, February 2017, Pages 7–13 Milena Maria de Araújo Lima Barbosa
Highlights
• ω-3 improves cardiometabolic profile and increases adiponectin levels.
• ω-3 benefits depend on people's basal adiponectin levels.
• People with low basal adiponectin level demonstrate an improvement in their lipid profile.
• Those with higher baseline concentrations of adiponectin see an improvement in their oxidative profile.
• Individuals with a higher increase in adiponectin concentration show an improvement in glucose metabolism.
Objective
The aim of this study was to analyze whether ω-3 supplementation improves cardiometabolic profile in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors and to determine the effect of adiponectin levels on these changes.
Methods
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-mo clinical trial, we randomized 80 individuals of both sexes (mean age 52 y) with at least one cardiovascular risk factor (excess weight, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, or smoking) into two groups: ω-3 (supplemented with 3 g/d of fish oil containing 37% eicosapentaenoic acid and 23% docosahexaenoic acid) and placebo (3 g/d of sunflower oil containing 65% linoleic acid). At baseline and after the intervention, we evaluated serum adiponectin, leptin, lipid profile, apolipoproteins (apo), electronegative low-density lipoprotein (LDL[−]), and glucose metabolism (glucose and insulin).
Results
After supplementation, the ω-3 group showed an increase in serum adiponectin. After stratifying the ω-3 group by adiponectin concentration at baseline, participants with lower adiponectin concentration showed a higher reduction of total cholesterol, LDL, LDL/high-density lipoprotein ratio, LDL/apo B, and LDL(−). Individuals with a higher variation of adiponectin concentration after ω-3 supplementation presented with reduced blood glucose. The variation of serum adiponectin induced by ω-3 supplementation was negatively correlated with the Framingham and Adult Treatment Panel IV scores (r = −0.4 and P < 0.05 for both).
Conclusions
Adiponectin is shown as one of the mechanisms by which ω-3 improves cardiometabolic profile in persons with cardiovascular risk. Moreover, the benefit varies according to the adiponectin basal level and adiponectin variation after supplementation.