Role of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) on Inflammation and Lipids
Role of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) on Inflammation and Lipids
The objective of this study is to provide critical information regarding both common and
 distinctive roles of EPA and DHA in systemic inflammation and lipid metabolism.
This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study of the effects of EPA
 and DHA on inflammation and lipid metabolism in 24 men and women with metabolic syndrome. The
 study will characterize the effects of EPA alone and DHA alone, relative to each other and to
 placebo, on plasma biomarkers of inflammation, inflammatory cell activation and gene
 expression, and plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels.
Inclusion criteria:

 -  fasting plasma TG levels between 150 and 500 mg/dL

 -  C-reactive protein (CRP) levels ≥2 µg/mL

 -  at least one of the following criteria for the definition of metabolic syndrome:

 -  abdominal obesity (waist circumference >40 inches in men and >35 inches in
 women),

 -  hypertension (blood pressure ≥130/≥85 mmHg or use of anti-hypertensive
 medications), and

 -  fasting glucose ≥110 mg/dL.

 Exclusion criteria:

 -  high-fish diets (>2 fish meals/week)

 -  taking fish oil supplements or supplements containing EPA or DHA

 -  allergy to sardines

 -  allergy to sunflower oil

 -  regular use of anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID, COX inhibitors, corticosteroids)

 -  anticoagulant therapy

 -  alcohol consumption >7 drinks/week

 -  uncontrolled thyroid dysfunction

 -  insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus

 -  kidney or liver disease

 -  smoking

 -  alterations in coagulation

 -  use of lipid altering medications