Dai Perrard XY, et al. – This study assessed the changes in monocyte phenotypes subsequent to treatments with n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] plus docosapentaenoic acid [DPA] [MAT9001] versus EPA ethyl esters [EPA–EE]) in individuals with hypertriglyceridemia. As a consequence of MAT9001 treatment, fasting nile red staining for lipids in classical and intermediate monocytes was found to be attenuated. Furthermore, MAT9001 and EPA–EE could potentially provide prophylaxis against atherosclerosis via improving fasting and postprandial monocyte phenotypes.

Methods

• Researchers recruited individuals with triglycerides 200–400 mg/dL.
• They randomized subjects to receive 2 treatments for 14 days each: MAT9001 and EPA-EE, at 4 g/day.
• At 2 days before the start of, and on the last day of, each treatment, nile red staining for lipids and phenotypes of each monocyte subset were examined by flow cytometry after an overnight fast and postprandially after a high-fat meal.

Results

• Findings demonstrated that treatment with MAT9001 or EPA-EE reduced fasting triglyceride levels and decreased proportions of intermediate monocytes.
• Researchers observed that only MAT9001 decreased postprandial blood triglyceride levels, lowered fasting nile red levels, suggesting less lipid in classical and intermediate monocytes, and reduced postprandial CD11c levels on nonclassical monocytes.
• Data also reported that MAT9001 and EPA-EE each reduced fasting and postprandial CD11c and CD36 levels on classical and intermediate monocytes and postprandial CCR5 levels on intermediate and nonclassical monocytes, with no significant differences between the two treatments.