NCT01241474

Effect of Fish Oil on Insulin Sensitivity

Chronic Long-chain n-3 PUFA Supplement and Insulin Action in Human Subjects With Impaired Glucose Regulation

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 34 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Aberdeen · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 40 Years – 69 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a prolonged (9 month) high (6g/d) of marine oil improves insulin sensitivity and glucose control in subjects with impaired glucose regulation.

Detailed description

The incidence of Type 2 diabetes is related both to age and obesity. The disease impacts on quality of life and treatments represent a major health cost. Prevention or delayed onset of the disease remains a key target. Animal studies have shown that provision of high amounts of fish oil in the diet improves insulin sensitivity but human trials have proved equivocal. Recent dose-response trials in animals have shown the improved insulin sensitivity only occurs when the proportion of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, exceeds 14% of the total phospholipid fraction within tissue cell membranes. To achieve such values in humans would require a high dose of n-3 PUFA supplied over a prolonged period of time. This is tested within the current study where a daily dose of 6 g day of fish oil (containing a total of 3g docosahexaenoic acid plus eicosapentaenoic acid) is supplied for 9 months. As well as improving control of glycemia increased insulin sensitivity may also enhance protein metabolism and reduce the impact of frailty in older subjects.

Conditions

• Metabolic Syndrome X
• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
• Sarcopenia

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	EPAX 6000 (marine omega 3 EPA/DHA fatty acid concentrates	6 x 1g capsules per day of marine oil (contains 3g/d docosahexaenoic acid plus eicosapentaenoic acid) for a 9 month period
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Maize (corn) oil	6 x 1g capsules per day for 9 months

Timeline

• Start date: 2009-02-01
• Primary completion: 2012-06-01
• Completion: 2012-06-01
• First posted: 2010-11-16
• Last updated: 2012-08-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United Kingdom