Omega-3 Fatty Acids, the Omega-3 Index, and Atherosclerosis

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00886704
• Recruitment Status: Completed
• First Posted: April 23, 2009
• Results First Posted: September 26, 2011
• Last Update Posted: October 7, 2011
• Sponsor: Ludwig-Maximilians - University of Munich
• Information provided by: Ludwig-Maximilians - University of Munich

Study Description

Brief Summary:

An increase in intake of omega-3 fatty acids should increase the Omega-3 Index. Current evidence indicates that this may lead to a reduction in risk for sudden cardiac death and atherosclerotic diseases like myocardial infarction. The aim of the study is to investigate, how supplementing a convenience drink with omega-3 fatty acids influences the Omega-3 Index, as compared to an unsupplemented matching convenience drink. Palatability and safety of the drink are also to be assessed.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Atherosclerosis	Dietary Supplement: 500 mg eicosapentaenoic (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acids (DHA); Dietary Supplement: Control convenience drink	Not Applicable

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Actual Enrollment: 50 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Official Title: Influence of Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids in a Convenience Drink (Smartfish) on the Omega-3 Index in Patients With Atherosclerotic Disease
• Study Start Date: April 2009
• Actual Primary Completion Date: August 2009
• Actual Study Completion Date: September 2009

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Active Comparator: Convenience drink with EPA and DHA; Daily consumption of 200 ml convenience drink, containing 0.5 g EPA and DHA (Omega-3 Fatty Acids)	Dietary Supplement: 500 mg eicosapentaenoic (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acids (DHA); Composition of active convenience drink (smartfish): 200 ml drink, enriched with 940 mg omega-3 fatty acids, of which 200 mg are EPA, 300 mg DHA and 100 mg DPA, slightly carbonized.. Energy content 486 kJ (116 kcal), protein 0.6 g, Carbohydrates 22 g, total fat 4 g, of which 0.6 g saturated fatty acids, 1.8 g monounsaturates, 1.4 g polyunsaturates. Vitamin D 0.85 ug. Control convenience drink: as above, containing about 1 g Omega-6 fatty acids from e.g. corn oil.
Placebo Comparator: Convenience drink without EPA and DHA; Daily consumption of 200 ml convenience drink, not containing 0.5 g EPA and DHA (Omega-3 Fatty Acids), but containing 1.0 g of Omega-6 Fatty Acids (e.g. corn oil)	Dietary Supplement: 500 mg eicosapentaenoic (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acids (DHA); Composition of active convenience drink (smartfish): 200 ml drink, enriched with 940 mg omega-3 fatty acids, of which 200 mg are EPA, 300 mg DHA and 100 mg DPA, slightly carbonized.. Energy content 486 kJ (116 kcal), protein 0.6 g, Carbohydrates 22 g, total fat 4 g, of which 0.6 g saturated fatty acids, 1.8 g monounsaturates, 1.4 g polyunsaturates. Vitamin D 0.85 ug. Control convenience drink: as above, containing about 1 g Omega-6 fatty acids from e.g. corn oil.; Dietary Supplement: Control convenience drink; Control convenience drink: as above, containing about 1 g Omega-6 fatty acids from e.g. corn oil.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Omega-3 Index [ Time Frame: after eight weeks of intervention ]
   Percentage of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in total red cell fatty acids, as determined with a standardized analytical procedure, i.e. the HS-Omega-3 Index. Currently, the target range for the HS-Omega-3 Index has been suggested to be between 8% and 11%. Cardiovascular risk increases at levels below 8%, whereas levels above 11% do not seem to confer further benefit. Values of the HS-Omega-3 Index have been found between 1.5% and 20%.

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. Palatability [ Time Frame: at 8 weeks ]
   Palatability assessed as number on a visual analogue scale from 0 - 10, with 0 being the worst and 10 being the best possible outcome

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 30 Years to 75 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects must meet the current guideline criteria for atherosclerosis, like coronary, peripheral or carotid artery disease, like previous myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome, coronary revascularization (operation or transluminally), or positive angiography or ultrasound.
2. Age: 30 - 75 years
3. Low Omega-3 Index (<5%)
4. Subjects must have adequate fluency in German or English to complete baseline and follow-up interviews.
5. Stable intake of food containing EPA+DHA before and during study
6. Subjects must be able and willing to give written informed consent, and to comply with study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects for whom the intake of omega-3 fatty acids is mandatory according to recent treatment guidelines or who take omega-3 fatty acids supplements on a regular basis.
2. Patients consuming >2 portions of fatty fish / week
3. Patients with serious bleeding disorder. Use of platelet inhibitors or anticoagulation with a target INR of 2.0 - 3.0 is not an exclusion criterion.
4. Subjects with any acute and life-threatening condition, such as collapse and shock, acute myocardial infarction (last three months), stroke, embolism.
5. Subjects with significant medical co-morbidity, seriously limiting life expectancy or insulin-treated diabetes mellitis or a BMI>30
6. Allergy/intolerance or history of hypersensitivity to components of study intervention, like lactose.
7. Pregnant subjects - due to any possible teratogenic effects of study nutrition on the fetus - and breastfeeding subjects. In addition, women of childbearing potential who will not practice a medically accepted method of contraception will be excluded.
8. Subjects who, in the investigator's judgement, will not likely be able to comply with the study protocol or with known drug- or alcohol abuse/dependence in the past 2 years.
9. Use of any investigational agents within 30 days prior to t0

Contacts and Locations

Locations

Germany

Preventive Cardiology

Munich, Germany, 80336

Sponsors and Collaborators

Ludwig-Maximilians - University of Munich

Investigators

• Principal Investigator: Clemens von Schacky, MD; Ludwig-Maximilians - University of Munich

More Information

Publications of Results:

Kohler A, Bittner D, Low A, von Schacky C. Effects of a convenience drink fortified with n-3 fatty acids on the n-3 index. Br J Nutr. 2010 Sep;104(5):729-36. doi: 10.1017/S0007114510001054. Epub 2010 Apr 27.

• Responsible Party: Clemens von Schacky, Preventive Cardiology, University of Munich
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00886704
• Other Study ID Numbers: 477-08
• First Posted: April 23, 2009
• Results First Posted: September 26, 2011
• Last Update Posted: October 7, 2011
• Last Verified: July 2009

Keywords provided by Ludwig-Maximilians - University of Munich:

Omega-3 fatty acids; dietary supplementation; atherosclerosis

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Atherosclerosis; Arteriosclerosis; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases