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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #203474
Title: Higher Plasma Docosahexaenoic Acid is Associated with Reduced Progression of Coronary-Artery Atherosclerosis in Women with Established Coronary Artery Disease

Author
item ERKKILA, ARJA - UNIV OF KUOPIO, FINLAND
item MATTHAN, NIRUPA - HNRCA AT TUFTS
item HERRINGTON, DAVID - WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
item Lichtenstein, Alice

Submitted to: Journal of Lipid Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2006
Publication Date: 12/1/2006
Citation: Erkkila, A.T., Matthan, N.R., Herrington, D.M., Lichtenstein, A.H. 2006. Higher Plasma Docosahexaenoic Acid is Associated with Reduced Progression of Coronary-Artery Atherosclerosis in Women with Established Coronary Artery Disease. Journal of Lipid Research. 47:2814-2819.

Interpretive Summary: Fish contains very long chain omega-3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Intake of omega-3 fatty acids or fish has been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular events and death. This association was further studied assessed in women with established coronary artery disease (CAD). The subjects were postmenopausal women (n=228) participating in the Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis trial. Quantitative coronary angiography (measure of atherosclerosis in the arteries surrounding the heart) was performed at baseline and after 3.2+/-0.6 (mean+/-SD) years. Women with plasma levels of one of the omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, above the median, compared to below, exhibited less atherosclerosis progression (worsening of the disease) as expressed by a decline in minimum coronary artery diameter (-0.04+/-0.02 mm and -0.10+/-0.02 mm, respectively, P=0.007), or increase in percent stenosis (1.34+/-0.76% and 3.75+/-0.74%, respectively, P=0.006) and had fewer new lesions [2.0 (0.5-3.5) % of measured segments (95% confidence interval)] and 4.2 (2.8-5.6)%, respectively, P=0.009] after adjustments for cardiovascular risk factors. EPA in plasma was not significantly associated with atherosclerosis progression. Consistent with higher reported fish intake, higher levels of plasma triglyceride and phospholipid DHA is associated with less progression of coronary atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women with CAD.

Technical Abstract: Fish intake, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and in some cases alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), have been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular events and death. The association between n-3 fatty acids in plasma lipids and progression of coronary-artery atherosclerosis was assessed among women with established coronary artery disease (CAD). A prospective cohort study involved postmenopausal women (n=228) participating in the Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis trial. Quantitative coronary angiography was performed at baseline and after 3.2+/-0.6 (mean+/-SD) years. Women with plasma phospholipid DHA levels above the median, compared to below, exhibited less atherosclerosis progression as expressed by decline in minimum coronary artery diameter (-0.04+/-0.02 mm and -0.10+/-0.02 mm, respectively, P=0.007), or increase in percent stenosis (1.34+/-0.76% and 3.75+/-0.74%, respectively, P=0.006) and had fewer new lesions [2.0 (0.5-3.5) % of measured segments (95% confidence interval)] and 4.2 (2.8-5.6)%, respectively, P=0.009] after adjustments for cardiovascular risk factors. Similar results were observed for DHA in the triglycerides. EPA and ALA in plasma lipids were not significantly associated with atherosclerosis progression. Consistent with higher reported fish intake, higher levels of plasma triglyceride and phospholipid DHA is associated with less progression of coronary atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women with CAD.