Abstract
Purpose: :
NAT–2 is a double–masked, randomised, parallel, comparative study of oral supplementation with DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) versus placebo in the prevention of exudative age related macular degeneration. Here, our purpose is to compare circulating lipids profile in NAT–2 patients at baseline, with that found in French control individuals.
Methods: :
Patients from the NAT–2 study were included if they had exudative AMD in one eye and any type of drusen in the study eye. Twelve–hour fasting serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, saturated fatty acids, mono–unsaturated (MUFAs), poly–unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) extracted from serum lipids were measured in 298 patients from the NAT2 study at baseline. The control group consisted of 2030 French individuals without any drusen or macular lesion. Comparisons between NAT2 participants and the control group were adjusted on age and gender, using analysis of covariance.
Results: :
Median age was 76.0 years at entry (versus 69.4 in the control group p < 0.0001). Gender distribution was 36% males in the NAT–2 population and 43% males in the control group (p=0.02). Serum total cholesterol was comparable in both groups. HDL level mean (95%CI) was particularly elevated in the NAT–2 population: 1.74 (1.70; 1.78) mmol/l (versus 1.37 (1.35; 1.39) in controls; p<0.0001). Mean MUFAs level was also elevated in the NAT–2 population: 24.9% (24.4; 25.4) (versus 20.4% (20.2; 20.6) in controls; p<0.0001). Mean Omega–6, Omega–3 and DHA levels were lower in the NAT–2 population: respectively 32.4% (31.8; 33.0), 2.34% (2.21; 2.48), 1.28% (1.21; 1.36) (versus respectively 37.2% (37.0; 37.4), 3.06% (3.0; 3.12), 1.89% (1.85; 1.93) in controls; p<0.0001).
Conclusions: :
NAT–2 study revealed high HDL levels and low PUFAs levels, particularly low DHA levels, in exudative AMD patients. These findings support the hypothesis for the need of a DHA supplementation in AMD patients.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials • lipids