Effect of omega-3 PUFA on carotid IMT and hemostasis in hypertriglyceridemic patients: a longitudinal pilot study in primary prevention

Objective: to measure carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT), IMT texture, lipids, platelet function and haemostatic variables during omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) treatment. Methods: 64 hypertriglyceridemic patients were administered omega-3 PUFA or placebo for 2 years. C-IMT and IMT texture were assessed by B-mode ultrasound. Lipids, platelet function and haemostatic variables were determined by validated methods. Results: Compliance to the treatment was documented by plasma fatty acid composition. During treatment a fall of triglyceride levels, concomitant to a rise of HDL-C and LDL-C level, was observed in the group on active treatment. Platelet function, but not FVIIc and fibrinogen levels, was significantly reduced by omega-3 PUFA. Over 2 years, C-IMT increased significantly with respect to baseline in placebo but not in the treated group. In addition, C-IMT texture was significantly affected by omega-3 PUFA. Treatment effect, however, did not reach the statistical significance neither in terms of IMT changes nor in terms of IMT texture. Conclusion: Our results are suggestive of a beneficial effect of omega-3 PUFA on IMT progression and IMT texture that deserve to be more deeply investigated in a larger sample of patients. Nevertheless the pilot nature of this study, the beneficial effect of omega-3 PUFA on platelet function , triglycerides and HDL-C is clearly highlighted.