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

Abstract 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 2.2 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 2.2 g marine n-3 PUFA reduce plasma PCSK9 levels in both pre- and postmenopausal women.