Vascular effects of omega-3 fatty acids: possible therapeutic mechanisms in cardiovascular disease.
Dietary consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) found in seafood and fish oils is associated with a decrease in coronary heart disease and overall cardiovascular mortality. Omega-3 PUFAs exert a number of physiologic effects, including relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, lowering of blood pressure, interference in phosphatidylinositol signaling, a reduction in platelet aggregation and growth factors, a decrease in atherogenic lipoproteins, a reduction in thrombotic factors, alterations in eicosanoid metabolism, a decrease in platelet and macrophage activating factors, and an increase in thrombolytic substances. These factors may provide a therapeutic means of reducing cardiovascular disease. This article reviews the vascular effects of omega-3 PUFAs and discusses the hypolipidemic, antihypertensive, antiatherosclerotic, antiinflammatory, and antithrombotic actions of the omega-3 PUFAs. Specific nursing implications are addressed.
University of California, Department of Physiological Nursing, San Francisco.
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Engler
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000187:drug effects; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols / Q000378:metabolism; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015290:Second Messenger Systems / Q000187:drug effects
D015777:Eicosanoids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D006133:Growth Substances; D008074:Lipoproteins; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors