title: The beneficial effects of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acid supplementation on red blood cell rheology.
abstract: Twenty healthy, non-smoking subjects were enrolled into a study to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with essential fatty acid (EFAs) on red blood cell rheology. Ten subjects were given 3 months dietary supplementation with long chain polyunsaturated EFAs containing omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs while 10 others were given placebo (sunflower oil). Venous sampling was performed at 0 and 12 weeks and red blood cell (RBC) aggregation and deformability measured by a filtration system. The results showed a reduction in RBC aggregation in the group given omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs but not in the placebo group. This may be related to changes in the RBC membrane and surface receptor characteristics. Such EFAs may be useful in Raynaud's phenomenon.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maple
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bancroft
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McLaren
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Belch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004903:Erythrocyte Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D018056:Hemorheology / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010919:Placebos