AANP Call for Abstracts 2009

AANP 2009 Convention

“Physicians, Heal Thy Planet”
Tacoma, Washington
August 19-22, 2009

Presenters:
Joseph C. Maroon, MD, FACS
Vice Chairman and Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery
Heindl Scholar
Department of Neurosurgery
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Team Physician Pittsburgh Steelers
200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone 412-647-9333
Fax- 412-647-8930
maroonjc@upmc.edu

Jeff Bost PAC – also contact person

Clinical Instructor and Neurosurgical Physician Assistant
Department of Neurosurgery
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone 412-647-9333
Fax- 412-647-8930
bostj@upmc.edu

Oral Research Presentation (60 minutes)

Title: Omega-3 EFAs in Professional Football Players for Blood Lipid Improvement and Pain Control in a
Neurosurgical Practice

The Pittsburgh Steelers Medical Team, using fractionated cholesterol testing, use a randomized controlled
evaluation of omega-3 supplementation on active professional players in 2006-2007 season, comparing
lipid subfractions of treated (2,560mg omega-3s) to control. This presentation discusses the positive
results and reviews previously published study using omega-3s for pain control in a neurosurgical
practice.

Abstract
Learning objectives:
1. To understand the cardiovascular implications of omega-3 EFAs
2. To be introduced to the VAP – lipid subfraction testing and its clinical advantages.
3. To learn about the previously unreported use of omega-3 EFAs for the treatment of spine-related pain.

Presentation outline
Background - inflammation and Omega-3 EFA
Blood lipids and clinical significance to CAD
Introduction - VAP testing and lipid subfraction relative CVD risk stratification

Report of Steelers Omega-3 and Lipid Study – See below

Background: Recent research showed 82% of 233 retired National Football League players under age 50
had abnormal narrowing and blockages in arteries compared to the general population of the same age. It
has been suggested that early screening and intervention in this at-risk population be a priority.
Hypothesis: Omega-3 essential fatty acid has been shown to improve cardiovascular lipid risk factors and
should improve lipid profiles in professional football players to help reduce their recently shown
accelerated risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Methods: A total of 36 active national football players were randomly assigned to 2 groups: the first
group (n = 20) was provided fish oil capsules (2200 mg of mixed docosahexaenoic acid and
eicosapentaenoic acid and 360 mg of other omega-3s), and the second group (n = 16) served as controls
during a 60-day trial. Vertical Auto Profile cholesterol tests directly measuring serum low-density
lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and other subfractions were performed. Compliance, side effects,
and seafood consumption data were also collected. Baseline, midpoint, and poststudy blood work
measured plasma docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid.
Results: Treatment increased high-density lipoprotein (average percent change: +25.96, control +14.16),
decreased triglycerides treatment (–8.06, control +43.98), very low-density lipoprotein treatment (–13.98,
control +23.18), intermediate density lipoprotein (–27.58, control +12.07), remnant lipoproteins (–23.86,
control +8.33), and very low-density lipoprotein-3 (–17.10, control +7.77). An average increase of
106.67% for docosahexaenoic acid and 365.82% for eicosapentaenoic acid compared to control was also
shown.
Conclusion: Omega-3 supplementation significantly improved the lipid profile of active players
randomized to treatment. These results suggest that fish oil supplementation is an effective way to
increase eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid levels in plasma and should be considered as a
method to improve modifiable cardiovascular risk lipid factors in professional football players.
Clinical Relevance: A prospective study examining the effects of 60 days of a highly purified fish oil
supplementation in professional football players.

Final discussion- The use of NSAID medications for both acute and chronic nonspecific neck and back
pain
Review of associated risks of NSAID- including gastric ulcers, bleeding, myocardial infarction, and even
deaths
Review of clinical study using omega-3 for spine-related pain
Final thoughts – use of nutraceuticals in a traditional neurosurgical practice.

Lecture will not have extensive pharmacy discussion during this presentation
Target audience - medical practitioner, researcher, scientist, policy maker, student, and general
audience

Biographical sketches
Joseph Maroon, MD, FACS is a board-certified neurosurgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical
Center, a professor of neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the team
physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Honored as one of America’s Best Neurosurgeons for 8 consecutive
years in America’s Best Doctors, he has published over 250 scientific papers, 40 book chapters and 8
books, including Fish Oil: The Natural Anti-Inflammatory and most recently by Simon and Schuster, The
Longevity Factor: How Resveratrol and Red Wine Activate Genes for a Longer and Healthier Life. and.
He has also served on the editorial boards of 5 medical journals. His research has focused on the
prevention and treatment of injuries and diseases of the brain and spine. Various national neurological
societies, both here and abroad, have recognized Dr. Maroon’s contributions to neurosurgery with a
number of awards. He currently serves as Medical Advisor for Nordic Naturals. Dr. Maroon has
completed 50 Olympic distance triathlon events since 1980 and also competed in 5 Iron Man distance
triathlons.
Jeff Bost PAC is a Clinical Instructor and Neurosurgical Physician Assistant at the University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center. Mr. Bost is also the research coordinator for his department and has
coordinator over 25 clinical studies including 10 FDA approved studies. He has authored or co-author 22
articles, 3 book chapters and co-authored the book Fish Oil: The Natural Anti-Inflammatory. He has
presented at over 50 national and international meetings on the subjects of spine disease and natural
supplements.

Abstracts must be submitted via email to the conference planners at AANPabstracts@sync-

opate.com. Please type “AANP Call for Abstracts 2009” in the Subject section of your email.