Table 1.
Characteristics of study participants at baseline and 8 weeks
| Placebo (n=19) | Omega-3 (n=19) | |||||
| Baseline | 8 weeks | Change (%) | Baseline | 8 weeks | Change (%) | |
| Age (years) | 45 (33–52) | 45 (27–52) | ||||
| Weight (kg) | 91 (74–117) | 91 (74–115) | 0.0±0.4 | 91 (69–115) | 91 (68–115) | 0.1±0.5 |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 27.6 (22.0–35.1) | 27.8 (21.6–34.6) | 0.0±0.4 | 28.9 (24.6–34.6) | 28.7 (24.1–34.8) | 0.1±0.5 |
| Waist (cm) | 100 (86–116) | 99 (87–114) | 0.9±0.4 | 99 (94–121) | 99 (92–122) | −1.0±0.7 |
| Hip (cm) | 103 (93–113) | 103 (94–113) | 0.0±0.3 | 104 (94–121) | 104 (92–123) | 0.2±0.6 |
| HOMA-IR | 3.2±0.3 | 3.3±0.3 | 2.9±6.1 | 3.5±0.3 | 3.5±0.2 | 8.8±6.2 |
| Fasting plasma biochemical parameters | ||||||
| Glucose (mmol/L) | 5.4±0.1 | 5.5±0.1 | 1.9±2.0 | 5.5±0.1 | 5.7±0.1* | 4.2±2.0 |
| Insulin (mU/L) | 13.4±1.0 | 13.2±1.0 | 0.3±5.0 | 14.1±1.1 | 14.1±0.8 | 3.9±5.4 |
| NEFA (µmol/L) | 388±30 | 389±33 | 6.6±12.0 | 371±30 | 346±30 | −2.7±7.4 |
| Total cholesterol (mmol/L) | 5.6±0.2 | 5.5±0.2 | −0.2±5.5 | 5.7±0.2 | 5.6±0.2 | −0.4±3.7 |
| HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) | 1.23±0.06 | 1.24±0.05 | 0.5±2.4 | 1.02±0.04 | 1.03±0.03 | 3.5±4.2 |
| Non-HDL cholesterol (mmol/L) | 4.6±0.2 | 4.2±0.2 | −3.3±7.7 | 4.7±0.2 | 4.5±0.2 | −1.1±3.4 |
| TAG (mmol/L) | 2.2±0.2 | 2.2±0.2 | 2.8±7.7 | 2.2±0.2 | 1.7±0.2** | −18.1±6.7† |
| 3OHB (µmol/L) | 51±9 | 61±8 | 39±32 | 54±9 | 50±6 | 4±9 |
| ALT (IU/L) | 32±2 | 32±2 | 3.9±6.5 | 36±4 | 26±2** | −16.6±6.6† |
| Erythrocyte fatty acids(mol%) | ||||||
| EPA (20:5 n-3) | 1.1±0.1 | 1.1±0.1 | −1.4±3.4 | 1.0±0.1 | 2.9±0.2*** | 224±32‡‡‡ |
| DPA (22:5 n-3) | 5.7±0.2 | 5.6±0.2 | −0.8±1.3 | 5.7±0.1 | 6.0±0.2** | 4.7±1.6† |
| DHA (22:6 n-3) | 8.3±0.3 | 8.2±0.3 | −1.8±1.2 | 8.4±0.2 | 9.5±0.3*** | 12.4±1.9‡‡‡ |
Data expressed as median (min–max) or mean±SEM. Change (%) expressed as mean±SEM.
*P<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001 baseline vs 8 weeks within the group.
‡P<0.05, ‡‡p<0.01, ‡‡‡p<0.001% change in placebo vs omega-3 group.
ALT, alanine transaminase; BMI, body mass index; DHA, docosahexaenoic acid; DPA, docosapentaenoic acid; EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid; HDL, high density lipoprotein; HOMA-IR, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance; NEFA, nonesterified fatty acids; 3OHB, 3-hydroxybutyrate; TAG, triacylglycerol.