Ácidos graxos ômega‐3, estado inflamatório e marcadores bioquímicos de pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico: estudo piloto

Abstract

Background

Studies have shown that omega‐3 fatty acids reduce the concentrations of eicosanoids, cytokines, chemokines, C‐reactive protein (CRP) and other inflammatory mediators.

Objective

To investigate the effects of omega‐3 fatty acids on circulating levels of inflammatory mediators and biochemical markers in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Experimental clinical study (clinical trial: NCT02524795); 49 women with SLE (ACR1982/1997) were randomized: 22 to the omega‐3 group (daily intake of 1080 mg EPA + 200 mg DHA, for 12 weeks) and 27 to the control group. The inflammatory mediators and biochemical markers at T0 and T1 in omega‐3 group were compared using Wilcoxon test. U‐Mann‐Whitney test was used to compare variations of measured variables [ΔV = pre‐treatment (T0) minus post‐treatment (T1) concentrations] between groups. p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The median (interquartile range ‐ IQR) of age was 37 (29‐48) years old, of disease duration was 7 (4‐13) years, and of SLEDAI‐2 K was 1 (0‐2). The median (IQR) of variation in CRP levels between the two groups showed a decrease in omega‐3 group while there was an increase in control group (p = 0.008). The serum concentrations of IL‐6 and IL‐10, leptin and adiponectin did not change after a 12 week treatment.

Conclusions

Supplementation with omega‐3 had no impact on serum concentrations of IL‐6, IL‐10, leptin and adiponectin in women with SLE and low disease activity. There was a significant decrease of CRP levels as well as evidence that omega‐3 may impact total and LDL‐cholesterol