Reduction in homocysteine by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids after 1 year in a randomised double-blind study following an acute myocardial infarction: No effect on endothelial adhesion properties

We hypothesized that n - 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( n 3 PUFAs) as compared to corn oil administered for 1 year following an acute myocardial infarction ( MI) may reduce plasma total homocysteine ( p- tHcy), ultrasensitive C- reactive protein ( muCRP), and the adhesive properties of the endothelium, expressed as soluble E- selectin ( sE-selectin) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule- 1 ( sICAM- 1). In a prospective, randomised, double- blind study, 300 acute MI patients were allocated to highly concentrated n - 3 PUFAs ( n = 150) or corn oil ( n = 150). After 1 year on treatment there was an intergroup difference in p- tHcy in favour of the n - 3 group ( n = 118), p = 0.022. However, sE- selectin, sICAM- 1 and muCRP were unaffected by the treatment. In conclusion, reduction of p- tHcy by long- term n - 3 PUFAs treatment was not associated with demonstrable effects on markers of endothelial adhesion properties. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.