Jesús Castro-Marrero1, Maria Cleofé Zaragozá2, Joan Carles Domingo3, Alba Martinez-Martinez4, José Alegre4, Clemens von Schacky5. 1. CFS/ME Unit (Lab 145 - 1st floor), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig de Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona E-08035, Spain. Electronic address: jesus.castro@vhir.org. 2. CFS/ME Unit (Lab 145 - 1st floor), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig de Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona E-08035, Spain; Clinical Research Department, Laboratorios Viñas, Barcelona, Spain. 3. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 4. CFS/ME Unit (Lab 145 - 1st floor), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig de Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona E-08035, Spain. 5. Department of Preventive Cardiology, Medizinische Klinik I, Ludwig Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; Omegametrix, Martinsried, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several studies have suggested that low levels of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are associated with cardiovascular risk, major depression, sleep problems, inflammation and other health-related issues. So far, however, erythrocyte PUFA status in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) has not been established. This study aimed to determine whether n-3 PUFA content and omega-3 index are associated with measures in CFS/ME patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PUFA levels and omega-3 index were measured in 31 Spanish CFS/ME patients using the HS-Omega-3 Index method. Demographic and clinical characteristics and self-reported outcome measures were also recorded. RESULTS: A low mean omega-3 index (5.75%) was observed in 92.6% of the sample. Omega-3 index was inversely correlated with the AA/EPA ratio (p = 0.00002) and the BMI (p = 0.0106). In contrast, the AA/EPA ratio was positively associated with the BMI (p = 0.0038). No association for FIS-40 and PSQI measures was found (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The low omega-3 index found in our CFS/ME patients may indicate increased risks for cardiovascular health, which should be further investigated. A low omega-3 index also suggests a pro-inflammatory state in these patients. Attempts should be made to increase the omega-3 index in CFS/ME patients, based on intervention trials assessing a potential therapeutic value.
BACKGROUND: Several studies have suggested that low levels of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are associated with cardiovascular risk, major depression, sleep problems, inflammation and other health-related issues. So far, however, erythrocyte PUFA status in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) has not been established. This study aimed to determine whether n-3 PUFA content and omega-3 index are associated with measures in CFS/ME patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PUFA levels and omega-3 index were measured in 31 Spanish CFS/ME patients using the HS-Omega-3 Index method. Demographic and clinical characteristics and self-reported outcome measures were also recorded. RESULTS: A low mean omega-3 index (5.75%) was observed in 92.6% of the sample. Omega-3 index was inversely correlated with the AA/EPA ratio (p = 0.00002) and the BMI (p = 0.0106). In contrast, the AA/EPA ratio was positively associated with the BMI (p = 0.0038). No association for FIS-40 and PSQI measures was found (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The low omega-3 index found in our CFS/ME patients may indicate increased risks for cardiovascular health, which should be further investigated. A low omega-3 index also suggests a pro-inflammatory state in these patients. Attempts should be made to increase the omega-3 index in CFS/ME patients, based on intervention trials assessing a potential therapeutic value.
Authors: Jesús Castro-Marrero; Maria-Cleofé Zaragozá; Irene López-Vílchez; José Luis Galmés; Begoña Cordobilla; Sara Maurel; Joan Carles Domingo; José Alegre-Martín Journal: Antioxidants (Basel) Date: 2021-06-23