A randomised controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia in HIV-infected males on highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Abstract

Background: Hypertriglyceridaemia is a recognised metabolic abnormality in HIV-infected people, increasing in severity in people treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). An alternative treatment for hypertriglyceridaemia in non-HIV-infected populations is omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness ofomega-3 fatty acid supplementation and placebo in lowering fasting triglyceride levels in HIV-infected patients on HAART. Method(s): A placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind trial in participants on stable HAART with fasting triglycerides of >3.5mM to 10.0 mM using 9 g of omega-3 fatty acids versus placebo (olive oil) after a 6-week lead in on dietary therapy. Result(s): Eleven patients were enrolled. The mean triglyceride level for the population decreased from 5.02 mM at baseline to 4.44mM (-11.6%) after dietary intervention and 3.37 mM (-32.9%) after the 8-week treatment period. In the omega-3 fatty acid arm of the study, triglycerides fell from 5.34 mM to 5.02 mM (-6%) after dietary intervention and to 2.30 mM (-56.9%) after the treatment period. In the placebo arm of the study, triglycerides fell from 4.77 mM to 4.05 mM (-15.1%) after dietary intervention and to 4.08 mM (-14.5%) after the treatment period. Using the random effects model, a statistically significant effect on triglycerides of omega-3 fatty acid versus placebo was found (chi2=6.04, P=0.0487). The estimated difference between groups for change in mean triglycerides over 8 weeks was-2.32 mM (95% CI-4.52,-0.12 mM). Conclusion(s): Omega-3 fatty acids are likely to be an effective treatment for hypertriglyceridaemia in HIV-infected males on HAART. © CSIRO 2006.