Beneficial effects of omega-3 and vitamin E coadministration on gene expression of SIRT1 and PGC1α and serum antioxidant enzymes in patients with coronary artery disease

- The study was the first to investigate the effects of nutrients on gene expression of SIRT1 and PGC1α in humans.
- Vitamin E plus Omega 3 supplementation increased the gene expression of SIRT1 and PGC1α and improved the overall health of CAD patients.
- In fact, an increase in the expression genes can improve the overall health of CAD patients.

Background and aimSIRT1 and PGC1α are two important genes, which play critical roles in regulating oxidative stress and inflammation processes. The study aimed assess the effects of coadministration of omega-3 and vitamin E supplements on SIRT1 and PGC1α gene expression and serum levels of antioxidant enzymes in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.Methods and resultsParticipants of this randomized controlled trial included 60 CAD male patients who were categorized into three groups: Group 1 received omega-3 (4 g/day) and vitamin E placebo (OP), group 2 omega-3 (4 g/day) and vitamin E (400 IU/day; OE), and group 3 omega-3 and vitamin E placebos (PP) for 2 months. Gene expression of SIRT1 and PGC1α in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCS) was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, serum antioxidant enzyme and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were assessed at the beginning and end of the intervention. Gene expression of SIRT1 and PGC1α increased significantly in the OE group (P = 0.039 and P = 0.050, respectively). Catalase and hsCRP levels increased significantly in the OE and OP groups. However, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels did not statistically change in all groups. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) increased significantly in the OE group (P = 0.009) but not in OP and PP groups.ConclusionSupplementation of omega-3 fatty acids in combination with vitamin E may have beneficial effects on CAD patients by increasing gene expression of SIRT1 and PGC1α and improving oxidative stress and inflammation in these patients.