한국인 여성에서 적혈구 오메가-3 지방산 수준과 류마티스관절염 위험도의 상관관계

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common autoimmune joint diseases and chronic inflammation of joints, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) has been suggested to be related with the pathogenesis and clinical course of RA. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that erythrocyte level of the n-3 PUFA is associated with the risk of RA and disease activity in women with RA. One hundred female RA patients and one hundred healthy women were participated, and erythrocyte fatty acid composition and disease activity were evaluated. Erythrocyte levels of α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n3), and Omega-3 Index (EPA + docosahexaenoic acid) were significantly lower in RA patients than healthy controls. Multivariable-adjusted regression analysis showed that the levels of ALA, EPA, n-3 PUFA, and the ratio of EPA/arachidonic acid were negatively associated with the risk of RA after adjusting for body weight and smoking status. Concentration of prostaglandin E2 was significantly decreased with the increased level of erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid among RA patients. Additionally, the risk of RA and disease activity was positively associated with erythrocyte levels of arachidonic acid, saturated fatty acids, and trans fatty acid. In conclusion, erythrocyte levels of n-3 PUFA was negatively associated with the risk for RA in Korean women, which might related with eicosanoid metabolism.