Circulating Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Levels in Coronary Heart Disease: Pooled Analysis of 36 Observational Studies

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #fatty-acids-omega-3 #coronary-disease #observational-studies-as-topic #female

Circulating Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Levels in Coronary Heart Disease: Pooled Analysis of 36 Observational Studies

Xiao et al., 2024 | Nutrients | Meta Analysis

Citation

Xiao Yanan, Chen Yifang, ... Weylandt Karsten H. Circulating Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Levels in Coronary Heart Disease: Pooled Analysis of 36 Observational Studies. Nutrients. 2024-May-24;16(11). doi:10.3390/nu16111610

Abstract

UNLABELLED: Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation has shown potential benefits in the prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD); however, the impact of omega-3 fatty acid levels on CHD risk remains a subject of debate. Here, we aimed to investigate the association between n-3 PUFA levels and the risk of CHD, with particular reference to the subtypes of n-3 PUFA. METHODS: Prospective studies and retrospective case-control studies analyzing n-3 PUFA levels in CHD, published up to 30 July 2022, were selected. A random effects meta-analysis was used for pooled assessment, with relative risks (RRs) expressed as 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and standardized mean differences expressed as weight mean differences (WMDs). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were conducted to assess the impact of n-3 PUFA exposure interval on the CHD subtype variables of the study. RESULTS: We included 20 prospective studies (cohort and nested case-control) and 16 retrospective case-control studies, in which n-3 PUFAs were measured. Higher levels of n-3 PUFAs (ALA, EPA, DPA, DHA, EPA + DHA, total n-3 PUFAs) were associated with a reduced risk of CHD, with RRs (95% CI) of 0.89 (0.81, 0.98), 0.83 (0.72, 0.96); 0.80 (0.67,0.95), 0.75 (0.64, 0.87), 0.83 (0.73, 0.95), and 0.80 (0.70, 0.93), respectively, p < 0.05. CHD patients had significantly lower n-3 PUFA levels compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, a significant inverse trend was found for both fatal CHD and non-fatal CHD with n-3 PUFA (EPA + DHA) levels. Also, the link between n-3 PUFA levels in erythrocytes with total CHD was generally stronger than other lipid pools. CONCLUSIONS: n-3 PUFAs are significantly related to CHD risk, and these findings support the beneficial effects of n-3 PUFAs on CHD.

Key Findings

We included 20 prospective studies (cohort and nested case-control) and 16 retrospective case-control studies, in which n-3 PUFAs were measured. Higher levels of n-3 PUFAs (ALA, EPA, DPA, DHA, EPA + DHA, total n-3 PUFAs) were associated with a reduced risk of CHD, with RRs (95% CI) of 0.89 (0.81, 0.98), 0.83 (0.72, 0.96); 0.80 (0.67,0.95), 0.75 (0.64, 0.87), 0.83 (0.73, 0.95), and 0.80 (0.70, 0.93), respectively, p < 0.05. CHD patients had significantly lower n-3 PUFA levels compared to healthy

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 20
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Coronary Disease
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Male
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Aged
  • Risk Factors

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: omega-3

Provenance

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