title: Protective effect of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on myocardial resistance to ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.
abstract: Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) reduce coronary heart disease (CHD) complications, such as chronic arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Improved myocardial resistance to ischemia-reperfusion injury results in smaller myocardial infarction, which is a major factor in the occurrence of CHD complications. We hypothesized that a specific dietary fatty acid profile (low in saturated and n-6 PUFA but high in plant and marine n-3 PUFA) may improve myocardial resistance to ischemia-reperfusion injury and reduce infarct size. To test this assumption, we used a well-defined rat model of myocardial infarction. Based on our results, in comparison to a diet that is high in either saturated or n-6 PUFA but poor in plant and marine n-3 PUFA, a diet that is low in saturated fats and n-6 PUFA but rich in plant and marine n-3 PUFA results in smaller myocardial infarct size (P < .01). The effects of the 3 diets were also examined by analyzing the fatty acid composition of plasma, erythrocyte cell membranes, and the phospholipids of myocardial mitochondria. The results show a great accumulation of n-3 PUFA and a parallel decrease in arachidonic acid, the main n-6 PUFA, in plasma, cell membranes, and cardiac mitochondria (P < .0001). We conclude that improved myocardial resistance to ischemia-reperfusion may be one of the critical factors explaining the protective effects of dietary n-3 PUFA against CHD complications in humans. In addition to increasing n-3 PUFA intake, an optimal dietary pattern aimed at reducing cardiovascular mortality should include a reduction of the intake of both saturated and n-6 PUFA.
authors.affiliation: Cœur & Nutrition, TIMC-IMAG CNRS 5525, Université Joseph Fourier, Faculté de Médecine, Domaine de la Merci, 38706 La Tronche, France.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeghichi-Hamri
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Lorgeril
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salen
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chibane
authors.forename: Joël
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Leiris
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boucher
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Laporte
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015428:Myocardial Reperfusion Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D016718:Arachidonic Acid