High physiological omega-3 fatty acid supplementation affects muscle fatty acid composition and glucose and insulin homeostasis in obese adolescents

Obese adolescents have high concentrations of saturated fatty acids and low omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (lcufas) in plasma phospholipids. we aimed to investigate effects of omega-3 lcpufa supplementation to obese adolescents on skeletal muscle lipids and glucose and insulin homeostasis. twenty-five obese adolescents (14-17 years old,14 females) completed a randomized double-blind crossover study supplying capsules containing either 1.2 g omega-3 lcpufas or placebo,for 3 months each with a six-week washout period. fasting blood glucose,insulin,leptin,adiponectin,and lipids were measured. intravenous glucose tolerance test (ivgtt) and euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp were performed,and skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained at the end of each period. the concentrations of epa,dha,and total omega-3 pufa in muscle phospholipids increased in both sexes. in the females,omega-3 lcpufa supplementation improved glucose tolerance by 39% (p = 0.04) and restored insulin concentration by 34% (p = 0.02) during ivgtt. insulin sensitivity improved 17% (p = 0.07). in males,none of these parameters was influenced by omega-3 supplementation. thus,three months of supplementation of omega-3 lcpufa improved glucose and insulin homeostasis in obese girls without influencing body weight. © 2012 frida dangardt et al.