Effects of fish oil supplementation on apolipoprotein B100 production and lipoprotein metabolism in normolipidaemic males

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of four weeks of fish oil supplementation on apolipoprotein B100 production and lipoprotein metabolism in normolipidaemic males.

Design and subjects: Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) kinetics in ten healthy, white males, aged 22–43 y (mean 32 y) were investigated using a ¹³C-leucine technique and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry before and after fish oil supplementation.

Intervention: All subjects received 10 g (1.8 g EPA, 1.2 g DHA)/d of fish oil concentrate for four weeks.

Results: Fish oil supplementation resulted in a decrease of total plasma VLDL (mean±s.d. 1.11±0.41 vs 0.87±0.28 mmol/l, P<0.05) and triacylglycerol concentrations (0.74±0.27 vs 0.48±0.21 mmol/l, P<0.01). VLDL apoB100 pool size was decreased without alteration of the fractional synthetic rate but a significant decrease of apoB100 production (2.23±0.90 vs 1.54±0.52 mg/dl/h, P<0.02). Following fish oil supplementation plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin as well as lipoprotein and hepatic lipase activities were unchanged. Fasting plasma concentrations of non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) were decreased (0.45±0.12 vs 0.33±0.10 mmol/l, P<0.05).

Conclusions: Dietary supplementation with fish oil in healthy males results in decreased VLDL-triacylglycerol concentrations through a decrease in VLDL particle synthesis. The decrease in NEFA substrate supply also contributes.

Sponsorship: Fish oil (Maxepa^®) was supplied by Seven Seas Ltd, Hull, England, free of charge. Dr OAF Bodamer was funded by the `Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft' (Bo 1193/1-2).