TY - JOUR
T1 - Pilot study of combined therapy with ω-3 fatty acids and niacin in atherogenic dyslipidemia
AU - Isley, William L.
AU - Miles, John M.
AU - Harris, William S.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by grants from the American Heart Association (Heartland Affiliate), the University of Missouri Research Board, and the Saint Luke’s Hospital Foundation for Research and Education.
Copyright:
Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2007/7
Y1 - 2007/7
N2 - Background: Niacin and ω-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FA) are both nutrients that reduce serum triglyceride and raise high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels when used at pharmacological doses. The possibility that these two agents, given in combination, might have additive effects on these lipid parameters has not been examined previously. In addition, the combination might prevent the rise in low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C levels frequently seen with ω-3 FA treatment. Objective: To determine the effect of therapy of niacin and ω-3 FA alone and in combination versus placebo on lipid parameters in subjects with atherogenic dyslipidemia. Methods: In a pilot parallel group study, we studied 29 patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia who were assigned to either dual placebo (n = 7), ω-3 FA (3.4 g/d; n = 8), crystalline niacin (3 g/d; n = 7), or the combination (n = 7) for 12 weeks. Fasting lipid profiles were assessed before and after treatment. Results: Changes in serum triglyceride levels from baseline were 10%, -2%, -17%, and -52%, respectively, while HDL-C concentrations rose by 4%, 10%, 18%, and 33%, respectively. Both of these results were statistically significantly different for combination therapy compared to changes with placebo and ω-3 FA monotherapy (analysis of variance with Tukey's post-hoc test). No statistically significant changes were seen for LDL-C. Addition of ω-FA to niacin had no effect on niacin-induced flushing. Conclusion: From this small pilot study, we conclude that combined therapy with niacin and ω-3 FA has beneficial effects on triglyceride and HDL-C levels, and use of these two agents in combination prevents the ω-3 FA-induced rise in LDL-C. Larger studies of this combination therapy are clearly warranted in patient populations with atherogenic dyslipidemia to assess not only lipid effects, but also potential coronary heart disease benefits.
AB - Background: Niacin and ω-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FA) are both nutrients that reduce serum triglyceride and raise high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels when used at pharmacological doses. The possibility that these two agents, given in combination, might have additive effects on these lipid parameters has not been examined previously. In addition, the combination might prevent the rise in low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C levels frequently seen with ω-3 FA treatment. Objective: To determine the effect of therapy of niacin and ω-3 FA alone and in combination versus placebo on lipid parameters in subjects with atherogenic dyslipidemia. Methods: In a pilot parallel group study, we studied 29 patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia who were assigned to either dual placebo (n = 7), ω-3 FA (3.4 g/d; n = 8), crystalline niacin (3 g/d; n = 7), or the combination (n = 7) for 12 weeks. Fasting lipid profiles were assessed before and after treatment. Results: Changes in serum triglyceride levels from baseline were 10%, -2%, -17%, and -52%, respectively, while HDL-C concentrations rose by 4%, 10%, 18%, and 33%, respectively. Both of these results were statistically significantly different for combination therapy compared to changes with placebo and ω-3 FA monotherapy (analysis of variance with Tukey's post-hoc test). No statistically significant changes were seen for LDL-C. Addition of ω-FA to niacin had no effect on niacin-induced flushing. Conclusion: From this small pilot study, we conclude that combined therapy with niacin and ω-3 FA has beneficial effects on triglyceride and HDL-C levels, and use of these two agents in combination prevents the ω-3 FA-induced rise in LDL-C. Larger studies of this combination therapy are clearly warranted in patient populations with atherogenic dyslipidemia to assess not only lipid effects, but also potential coronary heart disease benefits.
KW - Fish oils
KW - Flushing reaction
KW - HDL-cholesterol
KW - LDL subfractions
KW - LDL-cholesterol
KW - Lipoproteins
KW - Nicotinic acid
KW - Triglyceride
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jacl.2007.05.002
DO - 10.1016/j.jacl.2007.05.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 21291683
AN - SCOPUS:34447297296
SN - 1933-2874
VL - 1
SP - 211
EP - 217
JO - Journal of Clinical Lipidology
JF - Journal of Clinical Lipidology
IS - 3
ER -