EFFICACY OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS IN LOWERING LIPOPROTEIN(A) LEVELS

Abstract number: P-S-080

Marcucci¹ R., Sofi¹ F., Cellai¹ A., Fedi¹ S., Falciani¹ M., Rogolino¹ A., Ciucciarelli¹ L., Abbate¹ R., Gensini² G., Prisco¹ D.

¹¹Surgical and Medical Critical Area, University of Florence ²²Surgical and Medical Critical Area, Don CArlo Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, Florence, Italy

How-to-cite Marcucci R, Sofi F, Cellai A, Fedi S, Falciani M, Rogolino A, Ciucciarelli L, Abbate R, Gensini G, Prisco D. EFFICACY OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS IN LOWERING LIPOPROTEIN(A) LEVELS. J Thromb Haemost 2007; 5 Supplement 2: P-S-080

Abstract

Introduction: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a unique lipoprotein particle in which the protein component consists of apolipoprotein B bound by a disulfide bond to apolipoprotein (a). Apolipoprotein (a) is closely homologous with plasminogen, so that a negative interaction with fibrinolysis is considered to be the mechanism linking increased Lp(a) levels to thrombosis. Few and inconsistent data are present on the possible therapy able to lower Lp(a). In fact, no clear effect of reduction for common major drug classes has been demonstrated. Recently, a preliminary paper indicated a possible lowering effect for omega-3 fatty acids.

Methods: Aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids (2 g/die for 3 months) on Lp(a) levels in 23 patients (14M/9F) (age: 55 (33-74) yrs) who reported to have high Lp(a) levels (>300 mg/L). These patients had either a history of venous thromboembolism (n=6) or atherothrombosis (n=17). Venous blood sampling were obtained at baseline (T0), and after 1 (T1), 2 (T2) and 3 (T3) months of therapy.

Results: Lp(a) median values resulted to be decreased after 3 months of therapy with omega-3 fatty acids [T0: 928 (461-2120) mg/L vs. T3: 745 (405-1554) mg/L] with a similar pattern shown at the intermediate measurements [T1: 859 (503-1512) mg/L; T2: 769 (385-1483);]. Delta value of decrease of Lp(a) between T0 and T4 was 141.375.6 mg/L with a mean reduction of 26.3%. Globally, Lp(a) levels decreased in 13/23 (56.5%) patients at T4. In particular, at T1, Lp(a) levels decreased in 14/23 patients (60.9%): in 10/14 this decrease persisted until the end of therapy (T4); in 4 patients Lp(a) levels returned similar to the baseline. In 3 patients omega-3 fatty acids decreased Lp(a) levels only after two months (T2).

Conclusions: These preliminary results demonstrated a possible beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids in decreasing the levels of Lp(a). Larger and controlled trials are needed to confirm this preliminary data.

To cite this abstract use the following format:

Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2007; Volume 5, Supplement 2: abstract number

Session Details

Date:	01/08/2007
Time:	00:00-00:00
Session name:	XXIst ISTH Congress
Subject:
Location:	Oxford, UK
Presentation type:
Back to top

| ISTH 2009