Influence of fish oil on blood lipids in coronary artery disease

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#aged #coronary-disease #docosahexaenoic-acids #double-blind-method #eicosapentaenoic-acid

Influence of fish oil on blood lipids in coronary artery disease

Nikkilä et al., 1991 | Eur J Clin Nutr | Rct

Citation

Nikkilä M. Influence of fish oil on blood lipids in coronary artery disease. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1991-Apr;45(4):209-13

Abstract

The low incidence of coronary artery disease in Greenland Eskimos may be due to their intake of seafood with a high content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids which may have a hypolipidaemic effect. Results of previous studies have been controversial, depending on the dosage of fish oil and the phenotypic cause of the hyperlipoproteinaemia. In this placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over study, patients (n = 32) with coronary artery disease and dyslipidaemia received firstly 2.4 g eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids. Thereafter in the open study the same study group received 3.6 g EPA/DHA. Fish oil had no significant effect on serum cholesterol or high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Low doses of fish oil (2.4 g EPA/DHA) reduced serum triglyceride level significantly (P less than 0.05) and more significantly (P less than 0.01) with 3.6 g EPA/DHA. The results indicated that the therapeutic effect of n-3 fatty acids as hypolipidaemic agents is greatest in patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia (greater than 3.00 mmol/l).

Key Findings

The results indicated that the therapeutic effect of n-3 fatty acids as hypolipidaemic agents is greatest in patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia (greater than 3.00 mmol/l).

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population severe hypertriglyceridaemia
Sample Size 32
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Aged
  • Coronary Disease
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipidemias
  • Inuit
  • Lipids
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Vertical: omega-3-cardiovascular

Provenance

  • PMID: 1831755
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09