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Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Diabetic Complications

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids

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Abstract

All forms of diabetes are characterized by hyperglycemia and macro- and micro-angiopathy which in turn lead to several complications viz. nephropathy, cardiomyopathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, and loss of RBC deformability. Also, the fatty acid elongase and desaturase activities are known to decrease in diabetes. The present review tries to summarize the link between omega-3 fatty acids and diabetic complications. Thus, reports in the literature suggest that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acid, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5, n-3), showed beneficial effect in diabetic nephropathy by improving the renal function in human as well as in the experimental animal studies. DHA plays a major role in signaling cascades and rhodopsin regeneration, while insufficiency of DHA is associated with impairment of retinal function; supplementation with DHA improved the retinal function. While omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) offered protection against cardiovascular diseases, omega-6 PUFAs also showed cardioprotective action. Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids improved nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and Na+, K+-ATPase activity in diabetic neuropathy. Omega-3 fatty acids increased red blood cell (RBC) deformability and decreased plasma viscosity, thereby helping in improving cardiomyopathy associated with RBC deformability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Innovation in Nutrition, Health and Diseases, IRSHA, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Medical College Campus, Dhankawadi, Katraj, Pune, 411043, Maharashtra, India

    A. V. Mali, S. S. Bhise & Surendra S. Katyare

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  1. A. V. Mali
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  2. S. S. Bhise
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  3. Surendra S. Katyare
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Correspondence to Surendra S. Katyare .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Real Nutrition Laboratory, Bharati Vidyapeeth University Real Nutrition Laboratory, Dhankawadi, India

    Mahabaleshwar V. Hegde

  2. Center for Innovation in Nutrition Health Disease, Bharati Vidyapeeth University , Dhankawadi Pune, India

    Anand Arvind Zanwar

  3. Western IRB Medical Vice Chair, Puyallup, Washington, USA

    Sharad P. Adekar

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Mali, A.V., Bhise, S.S., Katyare, S.S. (2016). Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Diabetic Complications. In: Hegde, M., Zanwar, A., Adekar, S. (eds) Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40458-5_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40458-5_16

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-40458-5

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