Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Increase Plasma Adiponectin to Leptin Ratio in Stable Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggests a cardioprotective role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). However, the exact mechanisms underlying the effects of omega-3 PUFA in humans have not yet been fully clarified. PURPOSE: We sought to evaluate omega-3 PUFA-mediated effects on adipokines in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We conducted a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, in which adiponectin, leptin and resistin were determined at baseline, 3–5 days and 30 days during administration of omega-3 PUFA 1 g/day (n = 20) or placebo (n = 28). RESULTS: As compared to controls administration of omega-3 PUFA resulted in increase of adiponectin by 13.4 % (P < 0.0001), reduction of leptin by 22 % (P < 0.0001) and increase of adiponectin to leptin (A/L) ratio by 45.5 % (P < 0.0001) at 30 days, but not at 3–5 days. Compared with placebo adiponectin was 12.7 % higher (P = 0.0042), leptin was 16.7 % lower (P < 0.0001) and A/L ratio was 33.3 % higher (P < 0.0001) in the omega-3 PUFA group at 30 days. Resistin decreased similarly in both groups after 1 month, without intergroup differences (P = 0.32). The multivariate model showed that the independent predictors of changes in adiponectin at 1 month (P < 0.001) were: omega-3 PUFA treatment, baseline platelet count, total cholesterol and those in leptin (P < 0.0001) were: omega-3 PUFA treatment and waist circumference. Independent predictors of A/L ratio changes (P < 0.0001) were: assigned treatment, current smoking and hyperlipidemia. CONCLUSIONS: In high risk stable coronary patients after PCI omega-3 PUFA supplementation improves adipokine profile in circulating blood. This might be a novel, favourable mechanism of omega-3 PUFA action. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10557-013-6457-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.