Randomization to Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Endothelial Function in COPD: The COD-Fish Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Rationale
Studies suggest a pathogenic role of endothelial dysfunction in chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation improves endothelial function in other diseases but has not been examined in COPD.
Objective
We hypothesized that n-3 PUFA supplementation would improve systemic endothelial function in COPD. We performed a pilot randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase II superiority trial (NCT00835289).
Methods
Adults with moderate and severe stable COPD (79% with emphysema on CT) were randomized to high-dose fish oil capsules or placebo daily for 6 months. The primary endpoint was percent change in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) from baseline to 6 months. Secondary endpoints included peripheral arterial tonometry, endothelial microparticles (EMPs), six-minute walk distance, respiratory symptoms, and pulmonary function.
Results
Thirty-three of forty randomized participants completed all measurements. Change in FMD after 6 months did not differ between the fish oil and placebo arms (-1.1%, 95% CI -5.0-2.9, p=0.59). CD31+ EMPs increased in the fish oil arm (0.9%, 95% CI 0.1-1.7, p=0.04). More participants in the fish oil arm reported at least a 4-point improvement in the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) compared to placebo (8 vs. 1; p=0.01). There were no significant changes in other secondary endpoints. There were four serious adverse events determined to be unrelated to the…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.
Read the paper
Related studies
- eggNOG 5.0: a hierarchical, functionally and phylogenetically annotated orthology resource based on 5090 organisms and 2502 viruses
- Online Survival Analysis Software to Assess the Prognostic Value of Biomarkers Using Transcriptomic Data in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
- OptiType: precision HLA typing from next-generation sequencing data
- Nicotinic Cholinergic System and COVID-19: In Silico Identification of an Interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and Nicotinic Receptors with Potential Therapeutic Targeting Implications
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells have three Omega class glutathione S-transferases acting as 1-Cys thiol transferases
- Hemolysis at low blood flow rates: in-vitro and in-silico evaluation of a centrifugal blood pump
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.