Serum Omega-6/Omega-3 Ratio and Risk Markers for Cardiovascular Disease in an Industrial Population of Delhi

Abstract

High omega-6/omega-3 ratiointake promotes development of many chronic diseases. Secondary preventionstudies though have demonstrated a decline in progression of many such diseasesafter reducing the intake, specific biochemical indices of cardiovasculardisease risk markers have not been evaluated. We have evaluated the circulatinglevels of omega-6/omega-3 ratio and its effect on cardiovascular risk markers inIndia. Present study was conducted in industrial setting where employees were randomlyselected. Data on their demographic characteristics were collected usingpre-tested questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were collected from all theparticipants. Serum wasseparated and stored at-80℃ till the time ofanalysis. Lipidswere estimated using standard kits. Fatty acids in serum were estimated by Gas chromatography. The identifiedOmega-3 fatty acid included were 18:3 (Alpha-linolenic acid), 20:5 (Eicosapentenoic acid) & 22:6(Docosahexenoic acid). Among omega-6 included were 18:2 (linoleic acid), 18:3(gamma-linolenic acid) & 20:4 (Arachidonic acid). Complete data was available for 176participants (89% males and 11% females) with mean age of 47.23 ± 6.00 years. The bmi of theparticipants was 24.88 ±3.43 Kg/m2 and waist circumferencewas 91.50 ±9.56 cm.The median of omega-6/omega-3 ratio in the study population was 36.69 (range:6.21 - 183.69). The levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, ldl-cholesteroland cholesterol/hdl ratio and apo B correlated significantly with omega-6/3 ratio. There was no correlation observed with hsCRP and LDL-particle size. Adirect relationship of omega-6/ omega-3 ratio with dyslipidemia was observed in our study.