Dietary ω3 Fatty Acids and Phytosterols in the Modulation of the HDL Lipidome: A Longitudinal Crossover Clinical Study

Abstract

High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are complex particles composed of a wide range of lipids, proteins, hormones and vitamins that confer to the HDL particles multiple cardiovascular protective properties, mainly against the development of atherosclerosis. Among other factors, the HDL lipidome is affected by diet. We hypothesized that diet supplementation with ω3 (docosahexaenoic acid: DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid: EPA) and phytosterols (PhyS) would improve the HDL lipid profile. Overweight subjects (n = 20) were enrolled in a two-arm longitudinal crossover study. Milk (250 mL/day), supplemented with either ω3 (EPA + DHA, 375 mg) or PhyS (1.6 g), was administered to the volunteers over two consecutive 28-day intervention periods, followed by HDL lipidomic analysis. The comprehensive lipid pattern revealed that the HDL lipidome is diet-dependent. ω3-milk supplementation produced more changes than PhyS, mainly in cholesteryl esters (CEs). After ω3-milk intake, levels of DHA and EPA within phosphatylcholines, triglycerides and CE lipids in HDLs increased (p < 0.05). The correlation between lipid species showed that lipid changes occur in a coordinated manner. Finally, our analysis revealed that the HDL lipidome is also sex-dependent. The HDL lipidome is affected by diet and sex, and the 4 weeks of ω3 supplementation induced HDL enrichment with EPA and DHA.