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Enhanced increase of omega-3 index in response to long-term n-3 fatty acid supplementation from triacylglycerides versus ethyl esters

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 65, pages 247–254 (2011)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background:

There is a debate currently about whether different chemical forms of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are absorbed in an identical way. The objective of this study was to investigate the response of the omega-3 index, the percentage of EPA+DHA in red blood cell membranes, to supplementation with two different omega-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) formulations in humans.

Design:

The study was conducted as a double-blinded placebo-controlled trial. A total of 150 volunteers was randomly assigned to one of the three groups: (1) fish oil concentrate with EPA+DHA (1.01 g+0.67 g) given as reesterified triacylglycerides (rTAG group); (2) corn oil (placebo group) or (3) fish oil concentrate with EPA+DHA (1.01 g+0.67 g) given as ethyl ester (EE group). Volunteers consumed four gelatine-coated soft capsules daily over a period of six months. The omega-3 index was determined at baseline (t0) after three months (t3) and at the end of the intervention period (t6).

Results:

The omega-3 index increased significantly in both groups treated with n-3 FAs from baseline to t3 and t6 (P<0.001). The omega-3 index increased to a greater extent in the rTAG group than in the EE group (t3: 186 versus 161% (P<0.001); t6: 197 versus 171% (P<0.01)).

Conclusion:

A six-month supplementation of identical doses of EPA+DHA led to a faster and higher increase in the omega-3 index when consumed as triacylglycerides than when consumed as ethyl esters.

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Acknowledgements

Gratuitous supply of the study supplements from Dr Loges+Co. GmbH, Winsen, Germany is gratefully acknowledged. We specially thank Heike Kohrs for her technical assistance in the laboratory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Am Kleinen Felde 30, Hannover, Germany

    J Neubronner, J P Schuchardt, G Kressel & A Hahn

  2. 1. Medizinische Abteilung, Asklepios Klinik St. Georg, Haus O, Lohmühlenstraße 5, Hamburg, Germany

    M Merkel

  3. Preventive Cardiology, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik Innenstadt, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Ziemssenstr. 1, München, Germany

    C von Schacky

Authors
  1. J Neubronner
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  2. J P Schuchardt
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  4. M Merkel
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  5. C von Schacky
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  6. A Hahn
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Correspondence to J Neubronner.

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Competing interests

C von Schacky received a speaker's honoraria from Solvay, and grant support from Sanofi-Aventis and Smartfish. He founded Omegametrix, a company offering FA analyses. A Hahn and JP Schuchardt worked as consultants for companies, which also produce and merchandise FA supplements. The authors are solely responsible for the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data; as well as preparation of the manuscript.

Additional information

The study supplements used in this study were a gift from Dr Loges+Co. GmbH, Winsen, Germany.

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Neubronner, J., Schuchardt, J., Kressel, G. et al. Enhanced increase of omega-3 index in response to long-term n-3 fatty acid supplementation from triacylglycerides versus ethyl esters. Eur J Clin Nutr 65, 247–254 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2010.239

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Keywords

  • n-3 fatty acids
  • triacylglycerides
  • ethyl esters
  • omega-3 index
  • eicosapentaenoic acid
  • docosahexaenoic acid

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