Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Serum polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition reflects dietary intake and is related to risks for cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesized that serum n-3 PUFA composition, especially including long-chain n-3 PUFA such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is associated with inflammatory status, which is related to increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We investigated the relationship between serum PUFA composition and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in a cross-sectional study among 1,102 healthy men and women aged 40-74 years who reside in Kobe City. Multiple linear regression models that predict hs-CRP level were prepared to confirm the contribution of serum total n-3 PUFA, long-chain n-3 PUFA, EPA and DHA compositions after adjusting for other PUFAs and atherosclerotic risk factors. RESULTS: The serum n-3 PUFA, particularly long-chain n-3 PUFA, compositions were inversely associated with the hs-CRP levels. The standardized regression coefficient was -0.089 (p < 0.01) for total n-3 PUFA, -0.091 (p < 0.01) for long-chain n-3 PUFA, -0.071 (p = 0.03) for EPA, and -0.068 (p = 0.04) for DHA. The n-6 PUFA compositions were also inversely associated with the hs-CRP levels (-0.169 [p < 0.01] for total n-6 PUFA and -0.159 [p < 0.01] for linoleic acid). CONCLUSIONS: The serum n-3 PUFA compositions were inversely related with the hs-CRP levels, similar associations were also observed in n-6 PUFA compositions. Our results suggest that dietary PUFA intake was inversely associated with attenuated inflammation in healthy Japanese population.