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Review
. 2011 Dec;30(6):702-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2011.08.013. Epub 2011 Sep 29.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Akintunde O Akinkuolie  1 , Julius S Ngwa, James B Meigs, Luc Djoussé
Affiliations
Review

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Akintunde O Akinkuolie et al. Clin Nutr. 2011 Dec.

Abstract

BACKGROUND &AIM: n-3 PUFA has been shown to decrease the risk of several components of the metabolic syndrome; however, the role of n-3 PUFA on glucose metabolism is not clear. Our aim was to systematically review the effect of n-3 PUFA on IS by conducting a meta-analysis of available RCTs.

Methods: We followed the guidelines of Cochrane's review of systematic interventions. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and clinicaltrials.gov from the beginning of each database until October 2010. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model to estimate a pooled SMD and the corresponding 95% CI.

Results: From 303 screened citations, 11 RCTs (n = 618) were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. In a pooled estimate, n-3 PUFA intervention had no effects on IS compared to placebo (SMD 0.08, 95% CI -0.11-0.28). Similarly, n-3 PUFA had no effects on IS in sub-group analyses (Type 2 diabetes vs. other population; QUICKI and other test subgroups). In the HOMA subgroup, n-3 PUFA was associated with a statistically significant increase in IS (SMD 0.30, CI 0.03-0.58) when compared to placebo.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis is consistent with a lack of n-3 PUFA effects on IS.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of study identification, inclusion and exclusion.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
a: Forest plot showing all included trials. b: Subgroup and Sensitivity analysis.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Funnel Plot to detect publication bias of included trials.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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MeSH terms