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An inverse relationship between plasma n-3 fatty acids and C-reactive protein in healthy individuals

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 63, pages 1154–1156 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a marker of low-grade sustained inflammation. Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The aim of this study was to investigate whether plasma n-3 fatty acid concentration is related to hs-CRP concentration. A total of 124 free-living adults, were divided into tertiles of plasma hs-CRP (<1.0, 1.0–3.0 and >3.0 mg/l). Body composition and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Hs-CRP was analysed using immunoassays and fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography. Plasma hs-CRP concentration was negatively correlated with total n-3 fatty acids (P=0.05), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; P=0.002) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; P=0.01). The highest hs-CRP tertile (>3.0 mg/l) had significantly lower concentrations of total n-3 fatty acids, EPA and DPA, when compared with the other tertiles (P<0.05). This study provides evidence that in healthy individuals, plasma n-3 fatty acid concentration is inversely related to hs-CRP concentration, a surrogate marker of CVD risk.

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Acknowledgements

Statement of authorship: All authors contributed to the development of the protocol and were involved in the writing of the article. MAM analysed the data and wrote the article. All authors read and approved the final article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutraceuticals Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia

    M A Micallef, I A Munro & M L Garg

  2. Hunter Medical Research Institute, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia

    M L Garg

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  1. M A Micallef
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  2. I A Munro
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  3. M L Garg
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Correspondence to M L Garg.

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Micallef, M., Munro, I. & Garg, M. An inverse relationship between plasma n-3 fatty acids and C-reactive protein in healthy individuals. Eur J Clin Nutr 63, 1154–1156 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2009.20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2009.20

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