EFFETTI DELLA SUPPLEMENTAZIONE CON ACIDI GRASSI ω-3 (EPA + DHA) NELL'IPERTRIGLICERIDEMIA PRIMITIVA

In order to assess the overall impact of PUFA ω-3 supplementation on cardiovascular risk, the effects of such a supplementation on blood pressure, plasma lipoproteins and in vitro and in vivo LDL oxidizability have been evaluated in a group of patients with primary endogenous hypertriglyceridemia. After a period on a standard hypolipidemic diet, patients were randomly allocated to treatment with an individually-tailored diet either alone or supplemented with PUFA ω-3. PUFA ω-3 supplementation, but not diet alone, induced a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure and plasma triglycerides, but was also associated with an enhanced susceptibility of LDL to in vitro oxidation. Moreover, the anti-oxidized LDL IgG autoantibody titer rose during treatment with PUFA ω-3, thus suggesting an increased LDL oxidation actually taking place in vivo. Although the effects on blood pressure and plasma triglycerides were admittedly favourable, the findings regarding LDL oxidizability are of some concern and suggest a cautious use of PUFA ω-3 supplementation in patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia, unless associated with antioxidants.