Impact of eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio on left ventricular structure in patients with diabetes

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed at investigating the relationship among the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/arachidonic acid (AA) ratio, the left ventricular (LV) structure and function in patients with diabetes.Research design and methods: Inpatients with diabetes (n = 91) were included in the study. Serum fatty acid levels (EPA, AA, and docosahexaenoic acid) and lipid profiles were measured. The LV dimension and wall thickness were measured using echocardiography.Results: The mean age was 56 ± 17 years, and 49 % were men. The average number of days per week with a fish-based diet was 4 ± 2. The mean EPA/AA ratio was 0.34 ± 0.18. Linear regression analysis identified no significant relationships between EPA/AA ratio and LV parameters. Setting the study-specific threshold value of the EPA/AA ratio group at 0.43, which indicates the highest value of EPA/AA ratio group calculated by quartiles, the higher group (EPA/AA ≥0.43) and the lower group (EPA/AA <0.43) were compared for LV parameters. Interventricular septal thickness and posterior wall thickness were significantly thinner in the higher EPA/AA ratio group than the lower group (p < 0.05, respectively). Left ventricular mass index was not significantly different between the groups. In multiple regression analysis, the association between the higher EPA/AA ratio group and LV wall thickness remained significant after adjustments for confounding variables (p = 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively).Conclusions: A higher EPA/AA ratio was associated with reduced LV wall thickness. The EPA/AA ratio may play an important role in preventing LV wall thickness in patients with diabetes.