Title
Controversies in the Use of Omega-3 Fatty Acids to Prevent Atherosclerosis
Date Issued
01 July 2022
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
review
Author(s)
Alfaddagh A.
Kazzi B.
Zghyer F.
Marvel F.A.
Blumenthal R.S.
Sharma G.
Martin S.S.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Publisher(s)
Current Medicine Group
Abstract
Purpose of Review: We discuss current controversies in the clinical use of omega-3 fatty acids (FA), primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and examine discrepancies between recent trials. Furthermore, we discuss potential side effects reported in these studies and the role of mixed omega-3 FA dietary supplements and concerns about their use. Recent Findings: REDUCE-IT showed that addition of icosapent ethyl, a highly purified form of EPA, can reduce risk of cardiovascular events among statin-treated individuals with high triglycerides. Additional supportive evidence for EPA has come from other trials and meta-analyses of omega-3 FA therapy. In contrast, trials of mixed EPA/DHA products have consistently failed to improve cardiovascular outcomes. Discrepancies in results reported in RCTs could be explained by differences in omega-3 FA products, dosing, study populations, and study designs including the placebo control formulation. Evidence obtained from highly purified forms should not be extrapolated to other mixed formulations, including “over-the-counter” omega-3 supplements. Summary: Targeting TG-rich lipoproteins represents a new frontier for mitigating ASCVD risk. Clinical and basic research evidence suggests that the use of omega-3 FA, specifically EPA, appears to slow atherosclerosis by reducing triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and/or inflammation, therefore addressing residual risk of clinical ASCVD.
Start page
571
End page
581
Volume
24
Issue
7
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Sistema cardiaco, Sistema cardiovascular
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85129326349
PubMed ID
Source
Current Atherosclerosis Reports
ISSN of the container
15233804
Sponsor(s)
Dr. Martin also reports personal fees from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Esperion, 89bio, Sanofi-Aventis, Novo Nordisk, iHealth, Novartis, and DalCor; non-financial support from Apple and iHealth; grants and non-financial support from Google; and grants from Maryland Innovation Initiative, American Heart Association, Aetna Foundation, PJ Schafer Memorial Fund, David and June Trone Family Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and FH Foundation, outside the submitted work.
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus