The n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can reduce inflammatory markers and may therefore be useful in obesity management. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of supplementation with n-3 PUFAs on total fatty acid profile in red blood cells (RBCs), as well as biochemical and inflammatory markers, in subjects with obesity. The study consisted in a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial involving 41 subjects with obesity during a 4-month follow-up. Individuals were randomly assigned to two groups: n-3 PUFA supplementation (1.5 g fish oil) and placebo (1.5 g sunflower oil). Anthropometric, biochemical, dietetic, cytokine and total fatty acid profiles in RBCs were measured. Both groups increased their PUFA intake and DHA incorporation in RBCs. However, the placebo group showed a reduction in serum IL-8 and MCP-1 at the end of the study. A multiple linear regression model adjusted by body fat mass and sex showed that an increase in DHA in RBCs decreased the serum IL-8 levels in both study groups at the end of the study. Our results highlight the role of dietary DHA and n-3 supplementation usefulness in exerting beneficial anti-inflammatory effects.
The pathogenesis of obesity and dyslipidemia involves genetic factors, such as polymorphisms related to lipid metabolism alterations predisposing their development. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a nutrigenetic intervention on the blood lipid levels, body composition, and inflammation markers of adults with obesity and overweight. Eleven genetic variants associated with dyslipidemias in Mexicans were selected, and specific nutrigenetic recommendations for these polymorphisms were found. One hundred and one adults were recruited and assigned to follow either a standard or nutrigenetic diet for eight weeks. Anthropometric, biochemical, body composition, and inflammation markers were evaluated through standardized methods. Weighted genetic risk scores (wGRSs) were computed using the study polymorphisms. After intervention, both diets significantly decreased the anthropometric parameters and body composition (p < 0.05). Only the nutrigenetic diet group showed significant reductions in VLDL-c (p = 0.001), triglycerides (p = 0.002), TG:HDL (p = 0.002), IL-6 (p = 0.002), and TNF-α (p = 0.04). wGRSs had a high impact on the ΔTGs and ΔVLDL-c of both groups (standard diet: ΔTGs: Adj R2 = 0.69, p = 0.03; ΔVLDL-c: Adj R2 = 0.71, p = 0.02; nutrigenetic diet: ΔTGs: Adj R2 = 0.49, p = 0.03 and ΔVLDL-c: R2 = 0.29, p = 0.04). This nutrigenetic intervention improved lipid abnormalities in patients with excessive body weight. Hence, nutrigenetic strategies could be coadjuvant tools and enhance the standard dietary treatment for cardiometabolic diseases.
Introduction: Obesity is characterized by low-grade chronic inflammation, which can be modulated by lipid mediators derived from omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Obesity is a multifactorial disease, where genetic and environmental factors strongly interact to increase its development. In this context, the FADS1 gene encodes the delta-5 desaturase protein, which catalyzes the desaturation of PUFA. The rs174547 genetic variant of FADS1 has been associated with alterations in lipid metabolism, particularly with decreases in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (AA) concentrations. Objective: To analyze the effect of an n-3-supplemented diet on the fatty acid profile and composition in red blood cells (RBCs) of obese subjects carrying the rs174547 variant of the FADS1 gene. Methodology: Seventy-six subjects with obesity were divided into two groups: omega-3 (1.5 g of n-3/day) and placebo (1.5 g of sunflower oil/day). The dietary intervention consisted of a four-month follow-up. Anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary variables were evaluated monthly. The total fatty acid profile in RBC was determined using gas chromatography. The rs174547 variant was analyzed through allelic discrimination. Results: The n-3 index (O3I) increased at the end of the intervention in both groups. Subjects carrying the CC genotype showed significant differences (minor increase) in n-6, n-3, total PUFA, EPA, DHA, and the O3I in RBCs compared to TT genotype carriers in the n-3 group. Conclusions: The diet supplemented with EPA and DHA is ideal for providing the direct products that bypass the synthesis step affected by the FADS1 rs174547 variant in subjects carrying the CC genotype. The O3I confirmed an increase in n-3 fatty acids in RBCs at the end of the intervention.