Key result
Higher marine n-3 levels in Japanese men are linked to attenuated carotid IMT differences versus whites.
Why the study?
To examine whether marine-derived n-3 fatty acids are associated with less atherosclerosis in Japanese than Whites in the United States.
Cross-Sectional (n=868)
Yes
Effect estimate: Mean difference 22 µm (95% CI -1 to 46)
p-value: p=0.065
Captured external expert commentary on this paper, strongest first. Original sources are linked where available.
“Previous studies investigated substantially lower intake of omega-3 fatty acids than what people in Japan actually get through their diet. Our study seems to indicate that the level of marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids consumed must be higher than previously thought to impart substantial protection.”
“So what's different about the Japanese? It's unlikely to be their genetics – Japanese-Americans experience a dramatic increase in heart disease rates, so it seems to be a protective factor unique to Japanese people living in Japan. That leads us to diet.”
Clinicians should not change n-3 recommendations; leaves open whether high marine n-3 intake reduces ethnic differences in atherosclerosis.
To examine whether marine-derived n-3 fatty acids (FAs) are associated with less atherosclerosis in Japanese than Whites in the United States. Marine-derived n-3 FAs at low levels are cardioprotective through their anti-arrhythmic effect. A population-based cross-sectional study in 281 Japanese, 306 White, and 281 Japanese American men aged 40–49 was conducted to assess intima-media thickness of the carotid artery (IMT), coronary artery calcification (CAC), and serum FAs. Japanese in Japan had the lowest levels of atherosclerosis whereas Whites and Japanese Americans had similar levels. Japanese in Japan had twofold higher levels of marine-derived n-3 FAs than Whites and Japanese Americans. Japanese in Japan had significant and non-significant inverse associations of marine-derived n-3 FAs with IMT and CAC prevalence, respectively. The significant inverse association with IMT remained after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Neither Whites nor Japanese Americans had such associations. Significant differences between Japanese in Japan and Whites in multivariable-adjusted IMT (mean difference 39 μm (95% confidence interval (CI), 21 to 57), p<0.001) and CAC prevalence (mean difference 10.7% (95% CI, 2.9 to 18.4), p=0.007) became non-significant after further adjusting for marine-derived n-3 FAs (22 μm (95% CI, −1 to 46), p=0.065 and 5.0 % (95% CI, −5.3 to 15.4), p=0.341, respectively). Very high levels of marine-derived n-3 FAs have anti-atherogenic properties independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and may contribute to lower burden of atherosclerosis in Japanese in Japan, which is unlikely due to genetic factors.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Sekikawa et al. (2008) conducted a cross-sectional in Atherosclerosis (n=868). Marine-derived n-3 fatty acids vs. White and Japanese-American men was evaluated on Multivariable-adjusted IMT difference between Japanese and whites after adjusting for marine-derived n-3 fatty acids (Mean difference 22 µm, 95% CI -1 to 46, p=0.065). Higher levels of marine-derived n-3 fatty acids in Japanese men attenuated the difference in carotid IMT compared to white men to non-significance (mean difference 22 µm; 95% CI -1 to 46; P=0.065).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: