Effect of n-3 fatty acids on carotid atherosclerosis and hemostasis in hypertriglyceridemic patients: a double blind pilot study in primary prevention

Objective: A double-blind pilot study was designed to address the impact of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA) on atherosclerosis, thrombosis and vascular status in hypertriglyceridemic patients. Carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT), texture of intima-media complex (T-IMC), lipids, platelet function and hemostatic variables were evaluated in 64 hypertriglyceridemic patients receiving placebo or n-3PUFA supplementation (6 g/day) for 2 years. Methods and Results: C-IMT and T-IMC were assessed by B-mode ultrasound. Lipids, platelet function and hemostatic variables were determined by validated methods. A fall of triglyceride levels, concomitant to a rise of HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, was observed in the active treated group. Platelet function, but not FVIIc and fibrinogen levels, was significantly reduced by n-3PUFA. C-IMT increased significantly with respect to baseline in placebo, but not in n-3PUFA group. T-IMC was significantly affected by n-3PUFA. Treatment effect did not reach the statistical significance neither in terms of IMT changes nor in terms of T-IMC. Conclusion: Results are suggestive of a beneficial effect of n-3PUFA on IMT progression and T-IMC that deserves to be investigated in a larger patient sample. Nevertheless the small scale of this study, the beneficial effect of n-3PUFA on platelet function, triglycerides and HDL-C is clearly highlighted.