Association of a predictor of retinal omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with advanced age-related macular degeneration: the BLISAR project

Abstract

Purpose : High dietary intakes of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have repeatedly been associated with decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Because of the multiple difficulties in diet assessment, use of biomarkers may represent a more precise and objective assessment of omega-3 PUFA status. In the context of the Biomarkers of LIpid Status And metabolism in Retinal ageing (BLISAR) project, we have identified a predictor of the retinal content in omega-3 PUFAS, based on a combination of 7 blood fatty acids. The objective of this study was to assess whether this predictor is associated with the risk for advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods : Thirty one cases of advanced AMD (atrophic and/or neovascular AMD) were matched to 31 controls for gender, age (+/- 2.5 years) and use of lipid lowering drugs. Plasma cholesteryl esters were isolated from total plasma by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and their fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The predictor level was calculated from these measurements according to the algorithm previously developed in the BLISAR project. Association of AMD status with the predictor was assessed using multivariate conditional logistic regression.

Results : High predicted levels of retinal omega-3 PUFA concentration were associated with a lower risk for advanced AMD (OR=0.35 for 1 standard deviation increase, 95 % confidence interval: 0.13-0.98, p=0.045), after adjustment for age, smoking, body mass index, use of omega-3 PUFA supplements, and plasma LDL- and HDL-cholesterol concentrations.

Conclusions : The BLISAR project identified a predictor of retinal omega-3 PUFA status, based on the measurement of blood biomarkers, which is inversely related to the risk for advanced AMD, further confirming the role of omega-3 PUFA in AMD. Such a biomarker could be used to identify subjects at high-risk for AMD, and to monitor nutritional interventions.

This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.