Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation, Vascular Function and Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Young Adults

Methods and Results-—Healthy volunteers (n=328), aged 18 to 37 years, were randomly assigned to 1.6 g DHA/day (from a microalgae source) together with 2.4 g/day carrier oil (index group) or to 4.0 g/day olive oil (control) (both given in eight 500-mg capsules/day for 16 weeks). Flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery (primary outcome) was measured before and after the intervention (n=268) using high-resolution vascular ultrasound. FMD was the same in both groups at randomization (mean, SD; 0.27, 0.1 mm), but postintervention was higher in the control group (0.29, 0.1 mm) compared with the DHA-supplemented group (0.26, 0.1 mm; mean difference 0.03 mm; 95% CI 0.005 to 0.06 mm; P=0.02). Of other outcomes, only triglyceride (mean difference 28%, 95% CI 40% to 15%; P<0.0001) and very low-density lipoprotein concentrations were significant lower in DHA-supplemented individuals compared with controls. Conclusions-—DHA supplementation did not improve endothelial function in healthy, young adults. Nevertheless, lower triglyceride concentrations with DHA supplementation was consistent with previous reports and could have benefits for the prevention of CVD. Clinical Trial Registration Information-—URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com/ Unique identifier: ISRCTN no: 19987575. (J Am Heart Assoc. 2013;2:e000283 doi: 10.1161/JAHA.113.000283)