Self-reported dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with adipose tissue markers and glucose metabolism in apparently healthy subjects

Abstract

Background

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and resistin are associated with dysfunctional adipose tissue (AT)-related metabolic complications. The role of dietary eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids in this relationship is unknown.

Aim

To investigate the association of EPA and DHA with PAI-1 and resistin, as well as the role of this association on the glucose metabolism of apparently healthy subjects.

Subjects and methods

Thirty-six healthy individuals were included. Validated food frequency questionnaires were used to analyse dietary habits. Inflammatory and glucose metabolism markers were quantified. Subcutaneous AT samples were obtained, and adipocyte number, area, and macrophage content were assessed.

Results

In 36 subjects aged 56 ± 8 years and with a body mass index of 26 ± 4 kg/m², _logEPA, and _logDHA showed significant association with _logresistin and a marginal association with PAI-1. Adipocyte number, area, and _lognumber of macrophages per adipocyte significantly correlated with PAI-1 but not with _logresistin. Although _logEPA and _logDHA were independently associated with _loginsulin, _loginsulin resistance, and C-Peptide, the addition of _logresistin, but not of PAI-1, into the multivariable model, abolished the associations.

Conclusions

EPA and DHA could modulate glucose metabolism across AT functional states. Our data indicate that this association is independent of other metabolic risk factors.

Keywords:

• Eicosapentaenoic fatty acid
• docosahexaenoic fatty acid
• resistin
• plasminogen activator inhibitor 1
• adipose tissue

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Erik Alejandro Torre-Anaya for the adipose tissue biopsies analysis support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was partially supported by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología [grant number: A1-S41077 to ITV] and the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez [protocol identification number: 17-1040 to JGJR]. The funding sources had no involvement in the manuscript.