Erythrocyte n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Koreans: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: There is inconsistent epidemiologic evidence for an association between tissue levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the risk of type 2 diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether erythrocyte levels of n-3 PUFAs are negatively associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes and correlated with levels of glucose and HbA1c in Koreans. Methods: A total of 130 patients with type 2 diabetes and 260 age-and sex-matched controls participated in this study. Results: The risk of type 2 diabetes was negatively associated with erythrocyte levels of 22: 5n3 and 22: 6n3, which were negatively correlated with HbA1c levels after adjusting for age, sex and body mass index. Additionally, the risk of type 2 diabetes was negatively associated with erythrocyte levels of 18: 0 and 20: 4n6, but positively associated with erythrocyte levels of 16: 0, 18: 1n9, 18: 3n3, 18: 2n6, 18: 3n6, n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio, 18: 1t and 18: 2n6t, and Delta-6 desaturase (18: 3n6/18: 2n6) and.Delta-9 desaturase (18: 1n9/18: 0) activities. Conclusions: The risk of type 2 diabetes was negatively associated with erythrocyte levels of n-3 PUFA, which were negatively correlated with HbA1c levels in Koreans, suggesting that n-3 PUFAs might reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in Asians.