Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid on Endothelial Function
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2017-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Background
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disease in which the level of bad
cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) is increased, leading to an increase in coronary heart disease
even if adequately treated with cholesterol lowering medication (statins). Polyunsaturated
fatty acids (PUFA) including omega-3 is known to affect the risk for coronary disease,
however its effect on patients with FH is not known.
The purpose of the study is to assess the effect of PUFA on patients with FH, with regard to
inflammation measured in the blood and the effect on the blood vessels'ability to relax
(endothelial function) by means of tonometry.
Hypothesis
Treatment with 4 grams of PUFA a day for 4 months will lead to an improvement in the
endothelial function, and the treatment will also lead to a decrease in in several markers of
inflammation and in lipids in the blood.