Antithromboxane activity of dietary alpha-linolenic acid: a pilot study.
Two decades of research conclusively demonstrated the antithrombotic properties of the long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) present in lipids from marine fishes. Most American consumers, however, given their preference for meat, will not realize the benefits of a fish-rich diet. Could alpha-linolenic acid (18:3, n-3) be similarly effective via modulation of the synthesis of vasoactive eicosanoids, i.e., thromboxane and prostacyclin? The present pilot study is a contribution toward answering this question. We determined that the urinary excretion of 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 declined by 34% from baseline level 7 weeks after the n-6/n-3 ratio of dietary PUFA was reduced from 28:1 to 1:1. The excretion of 2,3-dinor-6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha was similarly affected. The dietary adjustment was brought about by substituting measured amounts of canola and flaxseed oils (3:1) for measured amounts of olive and corn oils (3:1) in an otherwise fat-free basal diet. This study demonstrates that dietary alpha-linolenic acid is an effective modulator of thromboxane and prostacyclin biosynthesis. Therefore, we can expect that the eicosanoid-mediated effects of alpha-linolenic acid are similar to those elicited by marine lipids.
Ferretti
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Nutrient Requirements and Functions Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, ARS-USDA, MD 20705, USA.
Flanagan
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D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D003314:Corn Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000074262:Rapeseed Oil; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D013931:Thromboxanes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D000074262:Rapeseed Oil; D013931:Thromboxanes; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D013929:Thromboxane B2; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; C028290:2,3-dinor-6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha; C049235:11-dehydro-thromboxane B2; D003314:Corn Oil