Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on plasma indices of thrombogenesis and inflammation in patients post-myocardial infarction.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of n-3 PUFAs supplementation on plasma indices of coagulation (fibrinogen), fibrin D-Dimer (an index of thrombogenesis and fibrin turnover), endothelial damage/dysfunction (von Willebrand factor (vWf)), platelet activation (soluble P-selectin (sP-sel)) and inflammation (interleukin-6, IL-6) in patients following acute myocardial infarction.


METHODS
Open-labelled randomised controlled trial. Seventy-seven post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients stabilized on standard secondary prevention therapy were randomised either to 3 months' treatment with Omacor 1 g/day (n=37) or 'usual care' control (n=40). Plasma levels of fibrinogen, D-Dimer, vWf, sP-sel, IL-6 and plasma viscosity at baseline and after 3 months were determined.


RESULTS
At baseline, there were no significant differences between the groups in all research indices, except vWf levels were higher in patients allocated to Omacor supplementation. After 3 months, there were no significant changes in the levels of any research indices in either the Omacor supplemented or the 'usual care' control patients when compared to baseline. Patients who received Omacor experienced a fall in total cholesterol (p=0.019), total/HDL-cholesterol ratio (p=0.009) and LDL-cholesterol (p=0.023). However, the relative changes in plasma lipids and lipoproteins did not differ between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-month supplementation of Omacor at 1 g per day in post-MI patients is not associated with an improvement in the levels of peripheral indices of coagulation potential, endothelial function, platelet reactivity and inflammation.
Lee
Kaeng W
KW
Haemostasis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Unit, University Department of Medicine, City Hospital, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK.
Blann
Andrew D
AD
Lip
Gregory Y H
GY
D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004338:Drug Combinations; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; C405603:Omacor