Fish-Free Diet in Patients with Phenylketonuria Is Not Associated with Early Atherosclerotic Changes and Enhanced Platelet Activation

PLoS One. 2015 Aug 20;10(8):e0135930. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135930. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Since patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) have to follow a lifelong restriction of natural protein to lower phenylalanine-intake, they never eat fish. This diet may lead to a chronic deficit of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids with the risk of early atherosclerotic changes. The aim of the study was to analyse the fatty acid profile of PKU patients and to correlate the results with surrogate markers of early atherosclerotic changes [enhanced carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and ß-stiffness index] and platelet activation.

Methods: In 43 PKU patients and in 58 healthy controls we prospectively examined the fatty acid profile, CIMT, ß-stiffness index and platelet activation (flow cytometric determination of markers of platelet activation). CIMT was measured bilaterally by ultrasound. CIMTmean was defined as the mean value of the sum of CIMTleft and CIMTright.

Results: Despite of lower HDL-cholesterol and higher triglyceride concentrations in the PKU group, there was no significant difference in the omega-6 or omega-3 fatty acid profile, CIMT, ß-stiffness index between both groups. Platelet activation was not enhanced in the PKU group.

Conclusions: Fish-free diet does not induce early atherosclerotic changes or enhanced platelet activation in PKU patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / etiology*
  • Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Diet, Protein-Restricted / adverse effects*
  • Fatty Acids / blood
  • Female
  • Fishes*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phenylketonurias / blood
  • Phenylketonurias / complications
  • Phenylketonurias / diet therapy*
  • Phenylketonurias / physiopathology
  • Platelet Activation / physiology*
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Vascular Stiffness / physiology

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Fatty Acids
  • Triglycerides

Grants and funding

This study was supported in part by grants from the Charité Research Fund (Anschubfinanzierung), by the DFG - Klinische Forschergruppe (KFO274) Platelet-Basic Mechanisms and Translational Medicine and “Deutsche Interessengemeinschaft Phenylketonurie und verwandte Stoffwechselstörungen e.V. (DIG-PKU)”.