Changes in Serum Levels of FABP4 and HsCRP after Administration of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Separately or + Vitamin E in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Inflammatory markers of A-FABP and HsCRP play an important role in progression of cardiovascular disease. Anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet aggregation effects of omega-3 fatty acids are known. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of omega-3 and omega-3+ vitamin E supplements on serum levels of these inflammatory markers.

This double-blind parallel trial was performed in 62 patients with coronary artery disease in Tehran Heart Center. Patients were divided into three groups to receive omega-3 fatty acids, omega-3+ vitamin E supplements, and placebo (oral paraffin) for 8 weeks. At the beginning of the study and end of week eight the serum levels of A-FABP and HsCRP were measured and the ratio of adiponectin to A-FAPP was calculated. Nutrition data were analyzed using Nutritionist IV and data analysis was done using SPSS V18.

At the end of the trial, serum level of FABP4 decreased significantly in the groups that received Omega-3 fatty acids+ vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids (P= 0.02 and P= 0.04, respectively) and its value was similar between the three groups (P= 0.34). The ratio of adiponectin to FABP4 (P= 0.009) and serum HsCRP (P = 0.002) were found to be different between the three groups.

According to this study, using omega-3 fatty acids+ vitamin E reduces the level of HsCRP and increases the ratio of adiponectin to FABP4 without any effect on the levels of FABP4. Consequently, this regimen will reduce inflammatory parameters and improve the complications of coronary artery disease.