Role of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) on Inflammation and Lipids

This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study of the effects of EPA
and DHA on inflammation and lipid metabolism in 24 men and women with metabolic syndrome. The
study will characterize the effects of EPA alone and DHA alone, relative to each other and to
placebo, on plasma biomarkers of inflammation, inflammatory cell activation and gene
expression, and plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels.

Inclusion criteria:

- fasting plasma TG levels between 150 and 500 mg/dL

- C-reactive protein (CRP) levels ≥2 µg/mL

- at least one of the following criteria for the definition of metabolic syndrome:

- abdominal obesity (waist circumference >40 inches in men and >35 inches in
women),

- hypertension (blood pressure ≥130/≥85 mmHg or use of anti-hypertensive
medications), and

- fasting glucose ≥110 mg/dL.

Exclusion criteria:

- high-fish diets (>2 fish meals/week)

- taking fish oil supplements or supplements containing EPA or DHA

- allergy to sardines

- allergy to sunflower oil

- regular use of anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID, COX inhibitors, corticosteroids)

- anticoagulant therapy

- alcohol consumption >7 drinks/week

- uncontrolled thyroid dysfunction

- insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus

- kidney or liver disease

- smoking

- alterations in coagulation

- use of lipid altering medications