Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein and interleukin-2 in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Malekshahi Moghadam A, Saedisomeolia A, Djalali M, Djazayery A, Pooya S, Sojoudi F
Correspondence: Dr Ahmad Saedisomeolia, a _saedi@tums.ac.ir

ABSTRACT
Introduction Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can alter the inflammatory response in diabetic patients. This study aimed to determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-2 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
Methods A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 84 subjects aged 45–85 years with at least a two-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Participants were randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. Each subject in the treatment group received three omega-3 capsules per day (eicosapentaenoic acid 1,548 mg; docosahexaenoic acid 828 mg; other omega-3 fatty acids 338 mg), while each subject in the control group received three placebo capsules (sunflower oil 2,100 mg) for a period of eight weeks. At the beginning of the study and post intervention, fasting blood samples were taken and serum concentrations of IL-2, TNF-αand CRP were assessed and compared.
Results Serum IL-2 and TNF-αlevels were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared to the controls (p < 0.01). There was no significant change in serum CRP levels.
Conclusion Short-term omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (3 g/day for eight weeks) can decrease the serum levels of TNF-αand IL-2 in diabetic patients, with no change in CRP levels. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acid supplements is highly recommended to alleviate inflammation caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: CRP, diabetes mellitus type 2, IL-2, omega-3 fatty acid, TNF-α
Singapore Med J 2012; 53(9): 615–619