Fish Oil (n-3) Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Beneficially Affect Biliary Cholesterol Nucleation Time in Obese Women Losing Weight

Authors: Nahum Méndez-Sánchez*, Verónica González*, Patricia Aguayo*, Juan M. Sánchez*, Miguel A. Tanimoto*, Javier Elizondo and Misael Uribe

* Departments of Biomedical Research, Gastroenterology and Radiology, Medica Sur Clinic and Foundation, Mexico City, Mexico and Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, The National Institute of Nutrition, Mexico City, Mexico

To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: nmendez@medicasur.org.mx .

It has been reported that intake of (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and decreases biliary cholesterol saturation in the bile of gallstone patients. We investigated the effect of n-3 PUFA on cholesterol saturation index (CSI) and nucleation time (NT) in obese subjects who were losing weight. This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Obese women (n = 35) with a body mass index (BMI) 30 kg/m2, with no prior history of gallstones or cholecystectomy by ultrasound were first studied to ensure absence of stones or biliary sludge. The women were then assigned to a hypocaloric regimen [5.02 MJ (1200 kcal)/d] and to receive 1200 mg/d of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), 11.3 g/d of (n-3) PUFA or a placebo for 6 wk. BMI, CSI and NT were recorded at baseline and at the end of the experimental period. BMI decreased 5.75 ± 2.7%/mo (range, 1.5–12.42%/MO) during the experiment. The CSI did not change in any of the groups. Cholesterol NT decreased significantly in the UDCA and placebo groups, but not in the (n-3) PUFA group. None of the women had developed gallstones at 6 wk. These results suggest that (n-3) PUFA maintain the CSI and NT in obese women during rapid weight loss, which probably results in the prevention of cholesterol gallstone formation.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

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