Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplement on Serum Lipid Profile and Markers of Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder among women in reproductive age. These women are high risk for early onset of cardiovascular diseases.The aim of this study was investigating the effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplement on serum lipid profile and markers of oxidative stress including malondialdehyde and serum total antioxidant capacity in polycystic ovary syndrome patients. This double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 64 PCOS patients in year 2011. Subjects were divided randomly into two groups of omega-3 fatty acids (n=32) and placebo group (n=32). Case group were given 4 g omega-3 fatty acids daily for 8 weeks and placebo group took placebo for the same period. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements and dietary intake assessment were performed using 24-hour dietary recalls and Nutritionist software version 4 at onset and end of the study. Data were analyzed by independent T-test, paired T-test, analysis of covariance and SPSS software version 11.5. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Omega-3 fatty acids significantly decreased serum levels of total cholesterol (P<0.001), triglyceride (P=0.024), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (P<0.001) and malondialdehyde (P=0.01) and increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.018) at the end of the study compared with baseline values. Decrease in serum levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and malondialdehyde in omega-3 fatty acids group in comparison with placebo group was significant (P=0.002, P=0.003 and P=0.007, respectively). No significant differences were seen in serum total antioxidant capacity levels in two groups (p>0.05). Omega-3 fatty acids had beneficial effects on serum lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.