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Transcriptomic Profile of Adipose Tissue Following n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) Supplementation

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: LC n-3 PUFA (fish oil) Supplement
Registration Number
NCT01195155
Lead Sponsor
The Adelaide and Meath Hospital
Brief Summary

Adipose tissue is a central organ involved in mediating metabolic health, and so the investigation of treatments which improve adipose tissue function is warranted. LC n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) have been shown to exert positive effects on adipose tissue gene expression in previous studies. However this has not been investigated in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a population shown to display a degree of adipose tissue dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of LC n-3 PUFA supplementation on gene expression profiles of women with PCOS.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
10
Inclusion Criteria
  • Had a positive diagnosis of PCOS as defined according to the NIH criteria as chronic oligomenorrhoea (< 9 menstrual cycles per year) and clinical and/or biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenism, in the absence of other disorders causing the same phenotype. Clinical criteria included hirsutism with a Ferriman-Galwey score greater than 9, acne or male pattern alopecia; biochemical criteria included total-testosterone, androstenedione or dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) greater than the laboratory reference range.
  • Were between the ages of 18 and 40
Exclusion Criteria
  • Were under 18 years or greater than 40 years old,
  • Were non-Caucasian
  • Were pregnant, lactating or trying to conceive
  • Had a body mass index (BMI) <18kg/m2 or >50kg/m2
  • Had a recent illness or any chronic illness likely to influence results
  • Were taking any medications likely to influence the results including hormonal contraception, antihypertensives, lipid lowering medications, antiplatelet agents, anti-inflammatory agents
  • Were taking nutritional supplements
  • Consumed greater than 2 portions of oily fish per week

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
LC n-3 PUFALC n-3 PUFA (fish oil) SupplementSupplementation with 4 x 1g fish oil capsules (Seven Seas, Ireland) containing 1.9g combined EPA and DHA daily for 6 weeks.
Placebo (olive oil) supplementLC n-3 PUFA (fish oil) Supplement4 x 1g olive oil capsules (Millas Inc) were given daily for 6 weeks.
Wash out periodLC n-3 PUFA (fish oil) SupplementA 6 week wash out period separated the LC n-3 PUFA and the Placebo (olive oil) arms. During this period the subjects took no supplements. This arm was designed to minimise a cross-over effect.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Gene expression profiling subcutaneous adipose tissue of young women with PCOS following LC n-3 PUFA supplementation versus controlFollowing 6 weeks of LC n-3 PUFA supplementation versus 6 weeks olive oil placebo supplementation

Gene expression profiles were assessed by mircoarray analysis from samples of subcutaneous adipose tissue obtained from subjects following LC n-3 PUFA and placebo supplementation. Single gene changes and pathway analyses will be conducted to assess potential differences between PCOS and control samples.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Assessment of biomarkers of hormonal and metabolic health in young women with PCOS following LC n-3 PUFA supplementation versus placeboFollowing 6 weeks of LC n-3 PUFA supplementation versus 6 weeks olive oil placebo supplementation

Key biomarkers of metabolic health (plasma lipid profile, inflammatory markers and adipokines) and androgenic hormonal profile (testosterone, androstenedione, DHEAS) were assessed by measuring circulating concentrations in plasma.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Nutrigenomics Group, University College Dublin

🇮🇪

Dublin, Leinster, Ireland

The Adelaide and Meath Hosptial

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Dublin, Leinster, Ireland

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