[The effect of long-chain polyunsaturated ω-3 fatty acids on the arterial stiffness parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy].

Objective: To analyze the effect of long-chain (LC) polyunsaturated w-3 fatty acids (PUFAs) on the daily arterial stiffness parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN).

Material And Methods: The study involved 39 patients with DM2 and verified functional stage of CAN. Patients were divided into 2 groups: therapy group (n=21) and control group (n=18). Patients of the control group received traditional hypoglycemic therapy; patients of the therapy group additionally received 1 capsule/day of the ω-3 PUFAs for three months.

Results: The use of the ω-3 PUFAs resulted in a statistically significant decrease in aortic augmentation index (AAI) and pulse wave velocity in the aorta (PWV) during the active period. There was a decrease in AAI in the aorta and the brachial artery and in PWV in the aorta during the night.

Conclusion: The efficacy of ω-3-PUFAs is a result of a direct effect of the pharmacological agent on the circadian arterial stiffness parameters.