Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with marine and botanical oils: influence on serum lipids

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients face a significantly increased mortality risk (1.5-3.0 fold) compared to the general population.
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary driver of this mortality gap, with CVD risk comparable to that in diabetes mellitus patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of borage seed oil (gamma-linolenic acid), fish oil (EPA and DHA), or a combination, in treating dyslipidemia in RA patients.
• To assess the impact of these lipid-modulating interventions on cardiovascular risk factors in RA.

Main Methods:

• An 18-month, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted.
• Patients were assigned to one of three treatment groups: borage seed oil, fish oil, or combination therapy.
• Mixed-effects models were employed to analyze changes in serum lipid profiles over time.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in lipid profile improvements were observed between the three treatment groups.
• Combined analysis revealed significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides.
• Significant increases in HDL-cholesterol and improvements in the atherogenic index were noted across all groups.
• Lipid profile improvements achieved at 9 months were sustained at the 18-month follow-up (P < 0.001 vs. baseline).

Conclusions:

• Marine and botanical oils may serve as beneficial treatments for dyslipidemia in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
• These interventions offer a potential strategy to mitigate the elevated cardiovascular disease risk associated with RA.
• The study supports the use of these oils for managing lipid profiles and improving cardiovascular health in RA populations.