Abstract 11222: The Ratio of Serum Eicosapentaenoic Acid to Arachidonic Acid is Inversely Associated With Microalbuminuria in a Population of Community-dwelling Japanese

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological evidence suggests that increased intakes of ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in fish oil prevent atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular events. The Japan EPA Lipid Intervention Study (JELIS) demonstrated that EPA significantly decreased the incidence of coronary artery disease in hypercholesterolemic patients. Recently, the ratio of EPA to AA (EPA/AA ratio) is a predictive marker for cardiovascular events but it is unknown whether it is a predictive marker for renal events. Accordingly, we investigated a relationship of the ratio of EPA/AA ratio to microalbuminuria, as a marker of renal damage.

Methods: 448 residents (175 men and 273 women, mean age 66.6±9.4 years) underwent a physical examination. They received a blood test including serum levels of EPA and AA, and underwent urine test. Eating and drinking patterns were evaluated by a food frequency questionnaire. Microalbuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin-to- creatinine ratio(UACR)≥30 mg/g.

Results: The mean levels of EPA/AA ratio were higher in the group of UACR<30 mg/g than in the group of UACR≥30 mg/g (0.58±0.29 vs. 0.47±0.21, p<0.01). Multiple stepwise regression analyses revealed that age (p<0.01), systolic blood pressure (p<0.0001), high sensitive C reactive protein (p<0.01), EPA/AA ratio (p<0.01, inversely), and HbA1c (p<0.05) were significantly associated with microalbuminuria. In the group of high EPA/AA ratio, odds ratio for the existence of microalbuminuria was smaller after adjustments for confounding factors (Odds ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.64-0.92; p<0.01).

Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that serum levels of EPA/AA ratio were strongly associated with microalbuminuria. Our results may suggest EPA/AA is a predictor of not only cardiovascular but also renal damages.