Endocrine Abstracts

Insulin resistance, lipid imbalance and inflammatory process have deleterious effect on cardiovascular system. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) (Docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] and Eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]) are lipids that have beneficial effects. Our objective was to study the effects of n-3PUFA on anthropometric characteristics, inflammation, lipid profile and insulin resistance of the children with obesity.

Materials and methods: Thirty obese children aged 8–18 year with body mass index (BMI) >95% for their age and gender were enrolled into the study. After clinical evaluation and sample collection, patients were treated with 1250 mg of n-3 PUFA containing EPA 425 mg and DHA 325 mg, once a day for three months. Anthropometric characteristics were measured and BMI was calculated. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, CRP and lipids were measured in fasting blood samples before and after intervention. P<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Treatment with n-3 PUFA did not have any significant effect on anthropometric characteristics including BMI, waist and hip circumference and waist to hip circumference ratio. Serum CRP level changed from 2.85±1.65 mg/dl to 1.3±1.03 mg/dl which significantly showed decreased inflammation in response to n-3 PUFA administration (P<0.001). In lipid profile, blood triglyceride was changed from 117.5±70.4 mg/dl to 91.8±42.2 (P=0.01) and LDL-C from 91.3±20.6 to 81.8±20.6 (P<0.001). HDL-C was 42.76±9.2 and reached to 47.14±9.6 (P=0.05). Homeostasis model assessment (insulin resistance) (HOMA-IR) changed from 5.14±3.1 to 4.11±2.5 (P=0.04).

Conclusion: Short term administration of omega 3 fatty acids decreased insulin resistance and inflammation, changed lipid profile in better conditions but did not change anthropometric characteristics of obese children in short duration of study.