Omega-3 fatty acids, inflammatory status and biochemical markers of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a pilot study

Background

Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduce the concentrations of eicosanoids, cytokines, chemokines, C-reactive protein (CRP) and other inflammatory mediators.

Objective

To investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on circulating levels of inflammatory mediators and biochemical markers in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Experimental clinical study (clinical trial: NCT02524795); 49 women with SLE (ACR1982/1997) were randomized: 22 to the omega-3 group (daily intake of 1080 mg EPA + 200 mg DHA, for 12 weeks) and 27 to the control group. The inflammatory mediators and biochemical markers at T0 and T1 in omega-3 group were compared using Wilcoxon test. U-Mann–Whitney test was used to compare variations of measured variables [ΔV = pre-treatment (T0) − post-treatment (T1) concentrations] between groups. p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The median (interquartile range – IQR) of age was 37 (29–48) years old, of disease duration was 7 (4–13) years, and of SLEDAI-2K was 1 (0–2). The median (IQR) of variation in CRP levels between the two groups showed a decrease in omega-3 group while there was an increase in control group (p = 0.008). The serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10, leptin and adiponectin did not change after a 12 week treatment.

Conclusions

Supplementation with omega-3 had no impact on serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-10, leptin and adiponectin in women with SLE and low disease activity. There was a significant decrease of CRP levels as well as evidence that omega-3 may impact total and LDL-cholesterol.