Background and purpose: Peroxisome proliferation-activated receptors (PPARγ) are a class of ligand-dependent nuclear receptors, which act as transcription factors. In fact, the increased activity of PPARγ, can increase the expression and secretion of adiponectin but in patients with coronary artery disease these levels are reduced. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of omega-3 and vitamin E on the expression of this gene.

Materials and methods: This double-blind, parallel clinical trial was conducted on 62 patients with coronary artery disease in Cardiovascular Research Center of Tehran in 2013. The patients were divided into three groups to receive n-3 fatty acids and n-3 and vitamin E combination therapy, and placebo (edible paraffin) for 8 weeks.  The PPARγ expression was investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) at first and after 8 weeks. As well as, Consumption data and statistical tests were analyzed using Nutritionist IV and SPSS V.18, respectively.

Results: At the end of the study, the PPARγ gene expression in PBMC significantly increased in the groups receiving n-3 fatty acids and n-3 and vitamin E combination therapy compared with baseline (P=0.029 and P=0.038, respectively). Also, significant differences were observed between the three groups (P=0.027)

Conclusion: During eight weeks of treatment, the expression of PPARγ in the groups receiving omega-3 fatty acids with or without vitamin E increased in patients with coronary artery disease.