Effect of n-3 PUFA on extracellular matrix protein turnover in patients with psoriatic arthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by involvement of skin, axial and peripheral skeleton. An altered balance between extracellular matrix (ECM) formation and breakdown is a key event in PsA, and changes in ECM protein metabolites may provide insight to tissue changes. Dietary fish oils (n-3 PUFA) might affect the inflammation driven tissue turnover. The aim was to evaluate ECM metabolites in patients with PsA compared to healthy individuals and investigate the effects of n-3 PUFA. The 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of PUFA included 142 patients with PsA. Fifty-seven healthy individuals were included for comparison. This study is a sub-study investigating biomarkers of tissue remodelling as secondary outcomes. Serum samples at baseline and 24 weeks and healthy individuals were obtained, while a panel of ECM metabolites reflecting bone and soft tissue turnover were measured by ELISAs: PRO-C1, PRO-C3, PRO-C4, C1M, C3M, C4M, CTX-I and Osteocalcin (OC). C1M, PRO-C3, PRO-C4 and C4M was found to be elevated in PsA patients compared to the healthy individuals (from 56 to 792%, all p < 0.0001), where no differences were found for OC, CTX-I, PRO-C1 and C3M. PRO-C3 was increased by 7% in patients receiving n-3 PUFA after 24 weeks compared to baseline levels (p = 0.002). None of the other biomarkers was changed with n-3 PUFA treatment. This indicates that tissue turnover is increased in PsA patients compared to healthy individuals, while n-3 PUFA treatment for 24 weeks did not have an effect on tissue turnover.

Automated summary

PsA patients show elevated levels of ECM metabolites PRO-C3, PRO-C4, and C4M compared to healthy individuals, while no differences were found for OC, CTX-I, PRO-C1, and C3M. Patients receiving n-3 PUFA treatment had a 7% increase in PRO-C3 after 24 weeks. Tissue turnover is increased in PsA patients compared to healthy individuals, but n-3 PUFA treatment for 24 weeks did not have a significant effect on tissue turnover.