The Effects of Vitamin E and Omega-3 PUFAs on Endothelial Function among Adolescents with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract EN

Aim.

The present study aims to explore the effects of vitamin E and omega-3 on endothelial function indicators among adolescents with metabolic syndrome.

Method.

In a randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled trial, 90 young individuals, aged 10 to 18 years, with metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned to receive either vitamin E tablets (400 IU/day) or omega-3 tablets (2.4 gr/day) or placebo.

For assessing endothelial functional state, the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured by ELISA test.

Results.

The use of omega-3 supplementation for eight weeks led to significant increase in serum HDL level compared with the group treated with vitamin E or placebo group.

In this regard, no significant correlations were found between the change in VEGF and baseline levels of other markers including anthropometric indices and serum lipids.

Omega-3 could significantly reduce VEGF with the presence of other baseline variables (Beta=-12.55; P=0.012).

Conclusion.

The administration of omega-3 can effectively improve endothelial function in adolescents with metabolic syndrome by reducing the level of serum VEGF, as a major index for atherosclerosis progression and endothelial destabilization.

Omega-3 can be proposed as a VEGF antagonist for improving endothelial function in metabolic syndrome.

The clinical implications of our findings should be assessed in future studies.