Research Article Details
Article ID: | A03855 |
PMID: | 33844928 |
Source: | Child Obes |
Title: | Omega-3 Use for the Treatment of Hypertriglyceridemia, Low High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels, and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children with Obesity. |
Abstract: | Background: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has been investigated in treating elevated triglycerides (TGs), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) in adults, but has not been well studied in youth with obesity. This retrospective study examined the effectiveness of omega-3 as an adjunct therapy for these conditions in patients participating in a pediatric weight management program (PWMP). Methods: Patients with a BMI ≥85th percentile and abnormal alanine transaminase (ALT), TGs, or HDL, participating in our PWMP, were identified (n = 617). Patients prescribed an omega-3 were classified as treated (n = 68). Treated patients were matched (1:1) to untreated patients on the propensity for treatment. Generalized least squares regression was used to model the change in TGs, HDL, and ALT adjusted for baseline characteristics. Results: The treated (mean age 12.7 years, 60.3% male, TGs 218.7 mg/dL, ALT 49.6 U/L, HDL 34.9 mg/dL; 42.6% Hispanic, 72% severe obesity) and matched control patients showed improvement in point estimates in TGs (p = 0.62), HDL (p = 0.18), and ALT (p = 0.43) over follow-up, but the differences in change were not statistically significant. Greater improvement was observed for treated subjects over time in TGs (difference of 5% at 6.1-12 months; 10% at 12.1-18 months: 16% at 18.1-24 months) but was not statistically significant (p > 0.2). Conclusions: This study did not demonstrate that omega-3 therapy is of definitive benefit as an adjunct to lifestyle modification alone in children with obesity for hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL levels, or NAFLD. A randomized-controlled trial is required to determine the impact of omega-3 supplementation in treating these conditions in this population. |
DOI: | 10.1089/chi.2021.0047 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs |
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Target ID | Target Name | GENE | Action | Class | UniProtKB ID | Entry Name |
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Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
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I13 | 3146 | Lipid metabolism disorder | An inherited metabolic disorder that involves the creation and degradation of lipids. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipid_metabolism | disease of metabolism/ inherited metabolic disorder | Details |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D258 | Omega 3 PUFA | Chemical drug | DB11133 | PPARG ligand; PPARA activator | Hypolipidemic drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D579 | Emfilermin | Miscellany | -- | adipocytes | Enhance lipid metabolism | Under investigation | Details |
D199 | L-alanine | Chemical drug | DB00160 | KYNU | -- | Failed in clinical trials | Details |
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D527 | EPA/DHA | Supplement | DB11133 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D083 | CLA | Chemical drug | DB01211 | KCNH2; SLCO1B1; SLCO1B3 | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D316 | S-adenosyl-L-methionine | Chemical drug | DB00118 | GNMT cofactor | Antiviral | Under clinical trials | Details |
D125 | Epanova | Chemical drug | DB11133 | PPARG ligand; PPARA activator | Enhance lipid metabolism | Under clinical trials | Details |
D094 | Cysteamine | Chemical drug | DB00847 | GSS stimulant | Renal drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D095 | Cysteamine bitartrate | Chemical drug | DB00847 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |