The bioavailability and pharmacodynamics of different concentrations of omega-3 acid ethyl esters

Omega-3 fatty acids have a long history of use as dietary supplements and more recently for therapeutic applications as prescription pharmaceuticals. Achieving a high concentration is critical for developing convenient, practical therapeutic formulations. The objective of the study was to explore the uptake and effects of different concentrations of omega-3 acid ethyl esters. Three different omega-3 concentrations were investigated in a clinical study with 101 subjects. All participants were dosed for 14 days with 5.1g per day of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ethyl esters provided in three concentrations: 62.5%, 80% and 85% of total fatty acids. Key endpoints of the study were serum phospholipids and standard fasting lipid panels at day 14. Although administered the same quantity of omega-3 fatty acids, the patients taking the more concentrated formulations had higher levels of EPA/DHA in serum phospholipids and greater reductions in serum triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol levels. Total and non-HDL cholesterol were significantly reduced from baseline with all three formulations. In conclusion the concentration of omega-3 fatty acids of the formulations studied had independent effects on the uptake and effect outcomes during short-term administration. Very high concentrations of omega-3 acid ethyl esters (80%) appear to have higher uptake and are more potent for reducing triglycerides (TGs) and VLDL-cholesterol than formulations with lower concentrations.