Hyperlipidemias: Paschos G

Rallidis LS, Paschos G, Papaioannou ML, Liakos GK, Panagiotakos DB, Anastasiadis G, Zampelas A. · Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Nikea, Piraeus, Greece. · Atherosclerosis. · Pubmed #15135261 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Leukocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration, the critical pathogenic components in the development of atherosclerotic lesions, are largely mediated by cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs). We examined whether dietary supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) affects the levels of soluble forms of CAMs in dyslipidaemic patients. METHODS: We recruited 90 male dyslipidaemic patients (mean age=51+/-8 years) following a typical Greek diet. They were randomly assigned either to 15 ml of linseed oil (rich in ALA) per day (n=60) or to 15 ml of safflower oil (rich in linoleic acid [LA, 18:2n-6]) per day (n=30). The ratio of n-6:n-3 in linseed oil supplemented group was 1.3:1 and in safflower oil supplemented group 13.2:1. Dietary intervention lasted for 12 weeks. Blood lipids, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) were measured. RESULTS: Dietary supplementation with ALA significantly decreased sVCAM-1 levels (median decrease 18.7% [577.5 ng/ml versus 487 ng/ml, P=0.0001]). In the LA supplemented group, sVCAM-1 was also significantly decreased but to a lesser extent (median decrease 10.6% [550.5 ng/ml versus 496 ng/ml, P=0.0001]). After controlling for smoking habits, no significant difference was observed in the reduction of sVCAM-1 levels between the two treatment arms (P=0.205). The decrease of sVCAM-1 was independent of lipid changes in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with ALA for 12 weeks significantly decreases sVCAM-1 levels in dyslipidaemic patients. This effect presents a potential mechanism for the beneficial effect of plant n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the prevention of coronary artery disease. In addition, dietary supplementation with LA significantly decreases sVCAM-1 levels, an effect which requires further investigation.

Rallidis LS, Paschos G, Liakos GK, Velissaridou AH, Anastasiadis G, Zampelas A. · Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Nikea, Piraeus, Greece. · Atherosclerosis. · Pubmed #12818406 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. We examined whether dietary supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) affects the levels of inflammatory markers in dyslipidaemic patients. METHODS: We recruited 76 male dyslipidaemic patients (mean age=51+/-8 years) following a typical Greek diet. They were randomly assigned either to 15 ml of linseed oil (rich in ALA) per day (n=50) or to 15 ml of safflower oil (rich in linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6)) per day (n=26). The ratio of n-6:n-3 in linseed oil supplemented group was 1.3:1 and in safflower oil supplemented group 13.2:1. Dietary intervention lasted for 3 months. Blood lipids and C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were determined prior and after intervention. CRP and SAA were measured by nephelometry and IL-6 by immunoassay. RESULTS: Dietary supplementation with ALA decreased significantly CRP, SAA and IL-6 levels. The median decrease of CRP was 38% (1.24 vs. 0.93 mg/l, P=0.0008), of SAA 23.1% (3.24 vs. 2.39 mg/l, P=0.0001) and of IL-6 10.5% (2.18 vs. 1.7 pg/ml, P=0.01). The decrease of inflammatory markers was independent of lipid changes. Dietary supplementation with LA did not affect significantly CRP, SAA and IL-6 concentrations but decreased cholesterol levels. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with ALA for 3 months decreases significantly CRP, SAA and IL-6 levels in dyslipidaemic patients. This anti-inflammatory effect may provide a possible additional mechanism for the beneficial effect of plant n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease.