OMEGA-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS ADMINISTRATION IMPROVES VASCULAR FUNCTION IN SUBJECTS WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME

methods: We studied the effect of a 12 weeks oral treatment with 2gr/day of omega-3 PUFAs in 29 (15 male) subjects (mean age 44±12 years) with MetS on three occasions (day0: baseline, day28 and day84). The study was carried out on two separate arms (PUFAs and placebo), according to a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over design. The diagnosis of MetS was based on the guidelines of Adult Treatment Panel III deinition. Endothelial function was evaluated by low-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured as an index of aortic stiffness and augmentation index (AIx) as a measure of arterial wave relections.