The effects of ω-3 fatty acids on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 39243880 · doi:10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2024.106887
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) searched Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase up to July 30, 2023. The study evaluated the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals, and heterogeneity was assessed with the I² statistic.
What was found
Across 23 trials comprising 1,523 participants: - TNF-α significantly decreased with omega-3 supplementation (SMD: -1.62, 95% CI: -2.89 to -0.35, P = 0.013). - Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) significantly increased (SMD: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.33 to 1.52, P = 0.002). - No overall significant effects were found for malondialdehyde, C-reactive protein (CRP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), or interleukin-6. - Subgroup analysis showed a significant decrease in CRP and an increase in SOD in studies with durations of less than 12 weeks.
Why it matters
This meta-analysis demonstrates that omega-3 supplementation improves select inflammatory and antioxidant markers (TNF-α and TAC) in type 2 diabetes, but does not broadly alter classic systemic markers like CRP or IL-6 across overall trials.
Limits
The abstract does not provide specific details on omega-3 formulations (EPA/DHA ratios), exact dosages, or baseline patient characteristics. Subgroup benefits for CRP and SOD were limited to short-duration studies (<12 weeks), and hard clinical endpoints were not assessed.
Cited by
- supports Scientific evidence demonstrates that omega-3 supplementation exerts anti-inflammatory effects.