Early-onset coronary atherosclerosis in patients with low levels of omega-3 fatty acids

Bittner DO, Göller M, Zopf Y, Achenbach S, Marwan M (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Hybrid Model Option B

Abstract

Objectives: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) can reliably predict cardiovascular events. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are thought to inhibit vascular calcification on a cellular level and in animal models, however, the correlation in humans is controversial. Methods: In symptomatic patients, CAC was quantified according to Agatstons’ method using non-contrast coronary CT. We assessed the association of EPA and DHA with early-onset coronary atherosclerosis, defined as presence of CAC above the 75th Agatston-Score (AS) percentile in sex adjusted age categories. Erythrocyte fatty acid composition was analyzed with a standardized methodology. The percentage of EPA and DHA in relation to all fatty acids present in the erythrocyte membrane is regarded the Omega-3 Index®. Results: Among 71 patients, 51 were below and 20 were above the 75th AS-percentile. No differences were seen in age, gender, cardiovascular risk factors, and relevant medication. In univariable analysis, significantly lower values for EPA (0.77%[0.63; 0.97] vs. 0.93%[0.72; 1.21]; p = 0.045), DHA (4.90%[4.12; 5.57] vs. 5.50%[4.58; 6.52]; p = 0.038) and the Omega-3 Index (5.73%[4.75; 6.35] vs. 6.22%[5.46; 7.71]; p = 0.034) were seen in patients above the 75th AS-percentile. All other fatty acids showed no significant differences. In multivariable analysis, the Omega-3 Index showed a significant inverse association with early onset of CAC (OR: 0.533 (95%CI: 0.303–0.938; p = 0.029)), independent of age, gender, statin use, and creatinine level (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Low levels of EPA and DHA (Omega-3 Index) are associated with early-onset coronary atherosclerosis. This finding needs to be validated in larger cohorts and might help understand the beneficial cardiovascular effects of omega-3 fatty acids.

Authors with CRIS profile

Markus Göller Department of Medicine 2 – Cardiology and Angiology Yurdagül Zopf Professur für Integrative Medizin mit dem Schwerpunkt Ernährungsmedizin (Stiftungsprofessur der Hector Stiftung II gGmbH) Stephan Achenbach Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin II Mohamed Marwan Department of Medicine 2 – Cardiology and Angiology

How to cite

APA:

Bittner, D.O., Göller, M., Zopf, Y., Achenbach, S., & Marwan, M. (2020). Early-onset coronary atherosclerosis in patients with low levels of omega-3 fatty acids. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-019-0551-5

MLA:

Bittner, D. O., et al. "Early-onset coronary atherosclerosis in patients with low levels of omega-3 fatty acids." European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2020).

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