title: N-3 vs. saturated fatty acids: effects on the arterial wall.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis and unstable plaques are underlying causes for cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular disease is associated with consumption of diets high in saturated fats. In contrast there is increasing evidence that higher intakes of dietary n-3 fatty acids decrease risk for cardiovascular disease. Recent studies are beginning to clarify how n-3 compared with saturated fatty acids influence cardiovascular disease risk via pathways in the arterial wall. In this paper we will review studies that report on mechanisms whereby dietary fatty acids affect atherosclerosis through modulation of arterial wall lipid deposition, inflammation, cell proliferation, and plaque vulnerability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sudheendran
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Deckelbaum
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3