POLYUNSATURATED N-3 FATTY-ACIDS AND LIPOPROTEIN PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES IN PRIMARY HYPERTRIGLYCERIDEMIA

The effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on lipoprotein levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) size, and plasma phospholipid fatty acids were examined in 17 hypertriglyceridemic patients. Plasma triglycerides levels fell by 31%, and both cholesterol and triglycerides in the very low-density lipoprotein fraction were reduced after 8 weeks of n-3 fatty acid supplementation (2.5 g/day). LDL cholesterol tended to rise while no variations were observed in HDL cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) levels. Apolipoprotein A-II and C-III concentrations were significantly reduced by n-3 fatty acids. LDL size (measured by gradient gel electrophoresis) was smaller than normal and remained unmodified by n-3 fatty acid supplementation. Large HDL, but not small HDL, cholesterol levels increased significantly. Both with and without n-3 fatty acid supplementation, LDL size was not related to n-3, oleic, and linoleic fatty acid content in plasma phospholipids, but was always related to plasma triglyceride levels. n-3 fatty acids reduce triglycerides in humans without affecting LDL size despite significant changes in phospholipid fatty acid composition