n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and coronary thrombosis.
Studies of Greenland Eskimos showed that a very high intake of marine n-3 fatty acids markedly inhibited platelet reactivity and suggested that intake of these fatty acids might prevent coronary thrombosis. Later studies with lower, more practical doses of n-3 fatty acids also have shown a platelet inhibitory effect of n-3 fatty acids, albeit fairly marginal. Furthermore, n-3 fatty acids have little effect on measures of blood coagulability and may slightly decrease fibrinolysis. In animal models, n-3 fatty acids often have been shown to inhibit thrombosis, but again the doses have tended to be very high. Finally, there has been little effect of (low-dose) n-3 fatty acids in clinical trials in humans on the incidence of myocardial infarction. Overall, there is little evidence for a major antithrombotic effect of practical doses of n-3 fatty acids on coronary thrombosis. This does not exclude a beneficial effect of n-3 fatty acids on coronary heart disease as suggested from clinical trials, but the major effect may be antiarrhythmic rather than antithrombotic.
Kristensen
S D
SD
Department of Cardiology, Skejby Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark. steendk@dadlnet.dk
Iversen
A M
AM
Schmidt
E B
EB
D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005342:Fibrinolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006116:Greenland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3