Effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on muscle mass and function with aging: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials✰. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ma, Wen-jun; Li, Hui; Zhang, Wei; Zhai, Jie; Li, Jun; Liu, He; Guo, Xiao-Fei; Li, Duo
• Is Part Of: Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids. Volume 165(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids -- Muscle mass -- Muscle function -- Randomized controlled trial -- Meta-analysis; Lipids -- Periodicals; Unsaturated fatty acids -- Periodicals; Prostaglandins -- Periodicals; Leukotrienes -- Periodicals; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated -- Periodicals; Acides gras insaturés -- Périodiques; Prostaglandines -- Périodiques; Leucotriènes -- Périodiques; Lipides -- Périodiques; 612.01577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2021.102249
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-3278

Abstract

Highlights: Supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids improved muscle function in healthy older adults. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids significantly improved grip strength in healthy older adults. There is no evidence that supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has a significant effect on muscle mass in healthy older adults. Abstract: The results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating supplemental n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on muscle mass and function have been inconsistent. The present study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation on indicators of muscle mass and function in healthy subjects. A systematic literature search was conducted up to July 2020 with databases of PubMed and Web of science. The random-effects model was implemented to calculate the weighted mean difference of net change of indicators regarding muscle mass and function. A total of nine studies (thirteen treatment groups) with 2067 participants were included for data analysis. The summary estimate showed that n-3 PUFA supplementation significantly increased the grip strength (1.17 kg; 95% CI: 0.27, 2.08 kg). Non-significant effect was observed with respect to muscle mass parameters, including fat mass (-0.67 kg; 95% CI: -2.20, 0.87 kg) and lean mass (0.33 kg; 95% CI: -0.35, 1.00 kg). Regarding muscle function indicators, there were non-significant effects on walking speed (-0.01 m s −1 ; 95% CI: -0.03, 0.01 m s −1 ), time up and go test (-0.25 s; 95% CI: -0.55, 0.04 s), respectively. The findings of this study indicated that supplementation with n-3 PUFA might have beneficial effects to improve muscle mass and function in healthy participants. However, there was no significant improvement in the subjects' muscle mass. Whether n-3 PUFA supplementation has favorable effects in participants with sarcopenia are warranted to be further investigated.