Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids lower plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 levels in pre- and postmenopausal women: A randomised study

Objective: To investigate whether a supplement of 2.2 g of marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) influences plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels in pre- and postmenopausal women. Methods: Ninety-two healthy women were randomly assigned to consume 22 g marine n-3 PUFA or a control oil (thistle oil) daily for 12 weeks. Adipose tissue, a long-term marker of dietary intake of seafood was collected at baseline and blood samples were drawn at baseline and after 12 weeks of supplement intake. Results: Plasma PCSK9 levels were significantly reduced by 11.4% for premenopausal women and 9.8% for postmenopausal women after the supplement of 2.2 g of marine n-3 PUFA compared with control oil. The mean change of plasma PCSK9 levels between participants receiving marine n-3 PUFA and control oil was 16.1% for premenopausal women and 13.1% for postmenopausal women. There was, however, no correlation between baseline levels of plasma PCSK9 and the fatty acid content of marine n-3 PUFA in adipose tissue. Conclusion: This study showed that 22 g marine n-3 PUPA reduce plasma PCSK9 levels in both pre- and postmenopausal women. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.