Omega-3 fatty acids and lipoprotein associated phospholipase A(2) in healthy older adult males and females.

PURPOSE: Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) is a novel inflammatory factor that has been independently associated with stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Omega-3 fats have been implicated in reducing inflammation associated with CVD. The aim of this study was to determine if an 8-week isocaloric diet supplemented with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) in the form of fish oil or α-linolenic acid (ALA) in the form of flaxseed oil would alter Lp-PLA(2) among healthy adults ages 50 years and older. METHODS: Fifty-nine healthy adults (~75% female, average age 61 years) were randomized to one of three groups with equal amounts of total fat intake. All capsules contained ~1 g of fat. The control group (n = 19) consumed olive oil capsules (~11 g/day); the ALA group (n = 20) consumed flaxseed oil capsules (~11 g/day) and the EPA/DHA group (n = 20) consumed fish oil capsules (~2 g/day + 9 g/day of olive oil). Fasting blood samples were obtained before and after the 8-week intervention for determination of Lp-PLA(2) mass and activity as well as lipid values. RESULTS: We did not find any significant changes in Lp-PLA(2) mass or activity after the intervention in any of the groups; however, change in oxidized LDL was associated with change in Lp-PLA(2) mass (r = 0.37, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Supplementing the diet with omega-3 fatty acids for 8-weeks did not influence Lp-PLA(2) activity or mass among older adults; altering oxidized LDL may be necessary to see changes in Lp-PLA(2) levels.

Responses to depressed interpersonal behavior: mixed reactions in a helping role.

We placed 144 female subjects in a helping role and randomly assigned them to interact with a confederate in a 3 X 3 X 2 X 2 (Psychopathology X Blaming X Advice Seeking X Sex of Confederate) factorial design. In order to study behaviors that mediate interpersonal responses to depression, male and female confederates enacted depressed, anxious, or normal roles and blamed themselves, others, or no one for their problems. The confederates requested advice in half of the conditions. Results indicated that depressed confederates were rejected more on questionnaire measures; however, depressed confederates received more conversational advice and support from subjects than did the equally disturbed anxious confederates. The self-blaming and advice-seeking manipulations did not interact with depression to produce more negative reactions in subjects. There was no evidence of a negative mood induction in subjects, nor did the sex of the confederate have important interpersonal consequences. Results are discussed in terms of theoretical and methodological issues in studies of interpersonal factors in depression.