effect of omega-3 supplementation on lipocalin 2 and retinol-binding protein 4 in type 2 diabetic patients

background: serum levels of lipocalin 2 (lcn 2) and retinol-binding protein-4 (rbp 4), increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus (t2dm). we sought to determine whether serum lcn 2 and rbp 4 change after an intervention with omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in diabetic patients. methods: forty-five type 2 diabetic patients from iranian diabetic association in tehran, iran in 2013 were randomly recruited into two groups: one group received 4 g/d omega-3 for 10 wk; and the control group received placebo. blood samples, food intake records, anthropometric measurements were obtained from all participants at the beginning and end of the study. results: fasting rbp 4 plasma levels significantly changed after 10 wk supplementation ( p = 0.01). the lcn 2 concentrations decreased in omega-3 group, but the changes were not statistically significant. omega-3 supplementation had no noticeable effect on anthropometric factors. conclusions: these findings provide a rationale for omega-3 supplements aimed at lowering serum rbp 4 levels in t2dm.