Last updated September 4, 2026
Key finding
High-dose intervention significantly reduced remnant cholesterol.
This study investigated the impact of marine n-3 fatty acid supplementation on carotid plaque risk in patients with type 2 diabetes and found no significant reduction in plaque prevalence or incidence.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Long-Term (1–5 y)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study investigated the impact of marine n-3 fatty acid supplementation on carotid plaque risk in patients with type 2 diabetes and found no significant reduction in plaque prevalence or incidence.
These findings suggest that while marine n-3 fatty acids may have some benefits for cholesterol management, they do not significantly impact carotid plaque development in patients with type 2 diabetes. This is important for clinicians considering dietary supplements for cardiovascular health in this population.
The study's population may not be representative of all patients with type 2 diabetes. The duration of the intervention may not have been sufficient to observe changes in plaque outcomes. Potential confounding factors were not fully controlled.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Pan Z, Xiaohui L, Wei J, et al. Marine n-3 fatty acid supplementation does not reduce carotid plaque risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. Cardiovascular Diabetology. 2026;25:52. doi:10.1186/s12933-026-03082-7
Fish oil supplementation did not significantly reduce the prevalence of carotid plaques (P trend = 0.111).
There was no significant effect on the incidence of new carotid plaques (P for trend = 0.304).
High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids significantly reduced remnant cholesterol levels.
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day), Low-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (1.5 g/day) and Incidence of new carotid plaques, Prevalence of carotid plaques, Regression of existing carotid plaques, and 1 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day)
Primary outcomes
Primary intervention
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
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Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
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Related topics
8
Evidence pairs
0
Related studies
Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day) → Incidence of new carotid plaques
High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day) → Incidence of new carotid plaques
High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day) → Prevalence of carotid plaques
High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day) → Prevalence of carotid plaques
High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day) → Regression of existing carotid plaques
High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day) → Regression of existing carotid plaques
High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day) → Remnant cholesterol
High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day) → Remnant cholesterol
Low-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (1.5 g/day) → Incidence of new carotid plaques
Low-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (1.5 g/day) → Incidence of new carotid plaques
Low-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (1.5 g/day) → Prevalence of carotid plaques
Low-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (1.5 g/day) → Prevalence of carotid plaques
Low-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (1.5 g/day) → Regression of existing carotid plaques
Low-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (1.5 g/day) → Regression of existing carotid plaques
Low-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (1.5 g/day) → Remnant cholesterol
Low-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (1.5 g/day) → Remnant cholesterol
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day) and Incidence of new carotid plaques, High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day) and Prevalence of carotid plaques.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies on High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day)
Contributes to High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day) evidence base.
All studies measuring Incidence of new carotid plaques
Measures Incidence of new carotid plaques as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Prevalence of carotid plaques
Measures Prevalence of carotid plaques as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Remnant cholesterol
Measures Remnant cholesterol as a key outcome.
Latest published studies
Published within the last 2 years.
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1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day) appears to improve remnant cholesterol.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Remnant cholesterol
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Low-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (1.5 g/day) appears to improve remnant cholesterol.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Remnant cholesterol
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Current evidence does not show a clear reduction in incidence of new carotid plaques with High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day).
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Incidence of new carotid plaques
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of High-dose marine n-3 fatty acids (3.0 g/day) for prevalence of carotid plaques.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Prevalence of carotid plaques
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
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