[Effect of short-term use of omega-3-type polyunsaturated fatty acids in subjects with hypertriglyceridemia].

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on lipid profile in hypertriglyceridaemic patients.

SETTING

General practice.

DESIGN

Prospective, double blind study of 12 weeks' duration.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eight patients received fish oil (1800 mg C20: 5 omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 1200 mg C22:6 omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Nine patients received corn oil (3000 mg C18: 2 omega-6 linoleic acid daily).

RESULTS

Lipid profile analysis showed a decrease in triglyceride levels after fish oil supplementation. An unexpected and unexplained finding was the rise in total cholesterol and LDH cholesterol with corn oil supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Fish oil causes a decrease in triglyceride levels in hypertriglyceridaemic patients.