Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein and interleukin-2 in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein and interleukin-2 in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
Year: 2012
Authors: Moghadam, A.M Saedisomeolia, A. Djalali, M. Djazayery, A. Pooya, S. Sojoudi, F.
Publication Name: Singapore Med J.
Publication Details: Volume 53; Issue 9; Pages 615-619.
Abstract:
Consumption of omega 3 fatty acids can alter the inflammatory response in diabetic patients. This study aimed to determine the effects of omega 3 fatty acid supplementation on the serum levels of C reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL) 2 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. A randomised, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted on 84 subjects aged 45 to 85 years with at least a two year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Participants were randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. Each subject in the treatment group received three omega 3 capsules per day (eicosapentaenoic acid 1,548 mg; docosahexaenoic acid 828 mg; other omega 3 fatty acids 338 mg), while each subject in the control group received three placebo capsules (sunflower oil 2,100 mg) for a period of eight weeks. At the beginning of the study and post intervention, fasting blood samples were taken and serum concentrations of IL2, TNFα and CRP were assessed and compared.
Serum IL2 and TNFα levels were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared to the controls (p less than 0.01). There was no significant change in serum CRP levels. Short-term omega3 fatty acid supplementation (3 g per day for eight weeks) can decrease the serum levels of TNFα and IL2 in diabetic patients, with no change in CRP levels. Consumption of omega3 fatty acid supplements is highly recommended to alleviate inflammation caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus. (Authors abstract)
Strong correlations between enhanced inflammatory biomarkers, including C reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)2 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and the occurrence of diabetes mellitus have been reported. Immunologic studies have shown the inhibitory effects of omega 3 fatty acids on the production of different cytokines by immune cells. Investigations have been carried out to confirm reducing the effect of omega 3 fatty acids on inflammatory biomarkers among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, but the findings have not been consistent. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the potential effects of eight weeks of omega 3 fatty acid supplementation on the serum levels of CRP, IL2 and TNFα in Iranian type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Here omega 3 fatty acid supplementation decreased the serum concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers, including TNFα and IL2. A decrease in the serum CRP levels, although not statistically significant, was shown. In this study, a smaller sample size (n of 42) and difference in participant age from other studies may explain the reason for the decreased CRP levels due to omega3 fatty acids in other research. In conclusion, based on this short-term study conducted on 84 diabetic patients, no definite conclusions can be drawn with regard to the effectiveness and safety of long term omega 3 fatty acid administration. The effects of omega3 supplements on other inflammatory biomarkers in diabetic patients should be further investigated. (Editors comments)
