Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Insulin Metabolism and Lipid Profiles in Gestational Diabetes: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Publisher Pubmed



Samimi M¹ ; Jamilian M² ; Asemi Z³ ; Esmaillzadeh A^{4, 5}
Source: Clinical Nutrition Published:2015

Abstract

Background & aims: We are aware of no study that examined the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on insulin metabolism and lipid profiles in gestational diabetes (GDM). This study was designed to assess the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on insulin concentrations and lipid profiles among pregnant women with GDM. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 56 women with GDM. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 1000mg omega-3 fatty acid supplements containing 180mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 120mg docosahexanoic acid (n=28) or placebo (n=28) for 6 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at study baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention to quantify biochemical variables. Results: Although omega-3 fatty acid supplementation did not led to a significant change in serum insulin levels and HOMA-IR in omega-3 fatty acid group, we found a significant difference in changes in serum insulin levels (change from baseline:-1.5±7.5 vs.+3.5±8.5μIU/mL, P=0.02) and HOMA-IR (-0.4±2.1 vs.+1.1±2.4, P=0.02) comparing the two groups. Furthermore, a significant reduction in serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels was seen after omega-3 fatty acid supplementation compared with placebo (-236.3±1541.9 vs. 898.6±2292.7ng/mL, P=0.03). Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation did not influence fasting plasma glucose, homeostatic model assessment-Beta cell function (HOMA-B), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and lipid profiles. Conclusions: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in GDM women had beneficial effects on insulin resistance, however, it did not affect plasma glucose, HOMA-B, QUICKI and lipid profiles. Clinical registration number: www.irct.ir as IRCT201312265623N16. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism.