Nutrition Research · Mar 7, 2026

Secondary analysis of omega-3 supplementation: Alteration of lipid mediators and inflammation in older adults engaged in a home-based and vibration exercise program

By Li DCW, Haß U, Herpich C et al.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may influence lipid mediators that regulate inflammation, but its effects in older adults are not well defined. This secondary analysis examined the effects of omega-3 supplementation on lipid mediators and inflammatory markers in older adults performing a home-based and vibration exercise program. We hypothesized that omega-3 supplementation would reduce circulating prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and increase resolvin E1 (RvE1). Forty participants (mean age 69 years, 50% women) were randomly assigned to receive an algae-oil omega-3 supplementation (1397 mg docosahexaenoic acid, 749 mg eicosapentaenoic acid) or no supplementation for 8 weeks. Plasma PGE2, LTB4, RvE1, and inflammatory markers were measured before and after the intervention. Directional changes were classified as increase, no change, or decrease, and correlations between lipid mediator and inflammatory marker responses were analyzed. PGE2 decreased more in the omega-3 group than in controls (time × group P = .043), whereas LTB4 (time P < .001) and RvE1 (time P = .003) declined similarly in both groups. Supplementation was associated with greater reductions in interleukin 10 and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist, and a larger increase in insulin-like growth factor 1. Changes in PGE2 correlated with C reactive protein (ρ = -0.412, P = .008) and like growth factor 1 (ρ = 0.345, P = .029). Omega-3 supplementation selectively lowered PGE2 independent of exercise effects, while exercise contributed to decreases in LTB4 and RvE1. These findings indicate that omega-3 supplementation modifies lipid mediators linked to inflammation in older adults.

doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2026.03.001 Open access PubMed 41934732 Interventions