title: [Blood fluidity and omega-3 fatty acids].
abstract: Omega-3 fatty acids are highly unsaturated fatty acids with a first (counted from the methyl end) double bound at the third carbon atom. Their biological effects--mainly changes of blood lipids and of the eicosanoid pattern--are due to a competitive inhibition of omega-6 fatty acids within the prostaglandin metabolism. Hemorheological effects have also been described repeatedly. A placebo-controlled, double blind study shows that red cell deformability is raised and blood viscosity decreased by omega-3 fatty acids in stepwise increasing doses. When the dose is further increased there is a drop of plasma viscosity and red cell aggregation. An open study with hyperlipoproteinemic patients confirms these effects: After 21 days of 8 capsules Ameu per day there is a significant reduction of plasma viscosity. After 56 days treatment (same dosage) blood viscosity drops and red cell deformability increases significantly. At present the evidence is growing to suggest that omega-3 fatty acids can delay atherogenesis. The above data allow the hypothesis that hemorheology may be involved in this.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Physikalische Medizin und Rehabilitation, Allgemeinen Krankenhauses Wien.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ernst
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability / Q000187:drug effects*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006951:Hyperlipoproteinemias / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils
vernacular_title: Blutfluidität und Omega-3-Fettsäuren.