Associations of serum n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids with echocardiographic measures among older adults: the Hoorn study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Lower circulating polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may induce loss of heart function. We investigated whether lower concentrations of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs were associated with less favourable echocardiographic measures and higher heart rate in older Caucasians, cross-sectionally and after 7 years of follow-up. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We used data from the Hoorn Study, a population-based cohort. Cross-sectional data were available for 621 participants and longitudinal data for 336 participants. Mean age was 68.616.8 years at baseline. We performed linear regression analyses using n-3 and n-6 PUFAs quartiles--assayed by gas liquid chromatography--with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular mass index, left atrial volume index and heart rate. RESULTS: In multivariable analyses (regression coefficient (95% confidence interval)), the lowest eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid quartiles compared with the highest quartiles were cross-sectionally associated with lower LVEF. Lower eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid concentrations were associated with higher heart rate: 3.7 b.p.m. (1.5, 6.0; P for trend CONCLUSIONS: This study found no strong evidence of longitudinal associations of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid with echocardiographic measures, however, lower concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid were associated with decreased LVEF. These results provide evidence for a potential protective role of alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid in relation to systolic function. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2013) 67, 1277-1283; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2013.167; published online 2 October 2013 Keywords: polyunsaturated fatty acids; elderly; epidemiology; echocardiography; systolic function
INTRODUCTION Over the past two decades, mortality rates from cardiovascular disease (CVD) have declined, however, survivors often develop loss of heart function in the following years. (1) Consequently, the prevalence [...]