n-3 fatty acids do not lead to an increased diabetic risk in patients with hyperlipidemia and abnormal glucose tolerance

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the possible worsening of glycemic control after a moderate daily intake of n-3 fatty acid ethyl esters in patients with hypertriglyceridemia with and without glucose intolerance or diabetes. A total of 935 patients of both sexes in 63 Italian clinical centers were selected; 55% had either impaired glucose tolerance or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). They received for 2 mo either 1 g n-3 ethyl esters three times a day or a corresponding placebo, followed by 4 mo of either 1 g n-3 ethyl esters twice a day or placebo. In addition to the complete lipid and lipoprotein evaluation, patients with impaired glucose tolerance also underwent an oral-glucose-tolerance test; in patients with NIDDM, serum insulin and glycated hemoglobin (Hb A(1c)) concentrations were determined. Plasma triacylglycerol concentrations decreased significantly up to 21.53% at 6 mo compared with baseline (decreased 15% compared with placebo), with a tendency toward a progressive reduction with time. There was no evidence for a different response in patients with either NIDDM or impaired glucose tolerance. Among NIDDM patients, the triacylglycerol reduction was greater in those with high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol less than or equal to 0.91 mmol/L. There was no alteration in the major glycemic indexes: fasting glucose, Hb A(1c), insulinemia, and oral glucose tolerance in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or NIDDM after treatment with n-3 ethyl esters. Treatment with a moderate daily dose of n-3 ethyl esters over a prolonged period of time significantly reduced triacylglycerol concentrations without any worsening of glucose tolerance in patients with hypertriglyceridemia with and without impaired glycemic regulation.