Polyunsaturated fatty acids and their effects on cardiovascular disease.
Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) affect a wide variety of physiological processes. Much attention has been given to the n-3 PUFAs and their role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, stemming from evidence obtained through a number of epidemiological studies and clinical trials. Investigators are now focused on elucidating the pathways and mechanisms for the biological action of n-3 PUFAs. Dietary intervention is recognized as a key measure in patient therapy and in the maintenance of human health in general. This review provides a summary of several important clinical trials, and while the exact modes of action of n-3 PUFA are not known, current viewpoints regarding the mechanisms of these fatty acids on atherosclerosis, circulating lipid profile, cell membranes, cell proliferation, platelet aggregation and cardiac arrhythmias are discussed.
Ander
Bradley P
BP
National Centre for Agri-Food Research in Medicine and the Division of Stroke and Vascular Disease, St Boniface Hospital Research Centre, and the Department of Physiology, Faculties of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Dupasquier
Chantal Mc
CM
Prociuk
Michele A
MA
Pierce
Grant N
GN