High LDL-c, Low HDL-c, Quadraplegia, Spinal Cord Injury, Tetraplegia
Conditions
Keywords
Spinal cord injury, Tetraplegia, Quadraplegia, Cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, Omega-3 fatty acids
Brief summary
People with a spinal cord injury (SCI) characteristically have low levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c; good cholesterol) and high levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c; bad cholesterol), and are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular health problems, such as heart disease, heart attack and stroke, than the able-bodied population. A common way for able-bodied people to improve their lipid profile is through exercise; however, SCI people, especially tetraplegics, are often unable to achieve and maintain a level of exercise needed to obtain these benefits. It is therefore clinically important to find an effective, safe and inexpensive method of increasing HDL-c levels in people with chronic tetraplegia. This study will investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the lipid profile of people with tetraplegia. The investigators hypothesize that 5 months of daily consumption of high doses of omega-3 fatty acids will increase plasma levels of HDL-c in those with tetraplegia, leading to decreased risk of cardiovascular health issues.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTOmega-3 supplements
Daily omega-3 supplements of 600 mg EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and 300 mg DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) for 5 months.
Sponsors
The Association of Rehabilitation Medicine in Manitoba
University of Manitoba
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Having chronic tetraplegia (at least on year since injury) * 18 years or older * Having below normal fasting blood plasma levels of HDL-c (\<1 mmol/l)
Exclusion criteria
* Currently taking omega-3 supplements * Currently taking medications for abnormal cholesterol * Having a heart attack or stroke in the past one year
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Blood plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol | Month 5 | Change in blood plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol at month 5 compared to baseline levels |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Blood plasma levels of total cholesterol | Month 5 | Change in blood plasma levels of total cholesterol at month 5 compared to baseline levels |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed