The effect of n‑3 long chain fatty acids supplementation on plasma peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma and thyroid hormones in obesity

Background: peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor gamma (ppar γ) is a transcription factor, which is abundantly expressed in adipose tissue and has a direct link to adiposity. it seems that long‑chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (lc‑pufas) can regulate ppar γ expression. the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of n‑3lc pufa supplementation on plasma levels of ppar γ and thyroid hormones in obesity. materials and methods: in a randomized double‑blind controlled trial, 66 subjects with obesity were assigned to 2 groups. participants in intervention group consumed omega3 capsules contained 1000 mg n‑3 fatty acids (180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid [epa] and 120 mg of docosahexaenoic acid [dha]) and placebo group consumed placebo capsules contained paraffin twice a day for 4 wk. fasting blood samples and weight measurements were collected at the baseline and at the end of the trial. plasma ppar γ and thyroid hormones were measured by elisa. data were analyzed using a repeated measure model‑two factor for comparing two groups in two times. results: no significant changes were observed in ppar γ levels between and within the groups after supplementation (p>0.05). n‑3lc pufa supplementation significantly increased t4 levels after 4 wk (p<0.05) but t3 and tsh did not change significantly. conclusion: our study showed that n‑3lc pufas supplementation increased t4 levels. however, no significant changes in t3, tsh and ppar γ plasma levels were observed in obese adults.