title: Influence of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-supplementation on platelet aggregation in humans: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Increased platelet activity predicts adverse cardiovascular events. The objective was to assess the effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA)-supplementation on platelet aggregation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials identified using PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Fifteen studies were included. In comparison to placebo using the random-effect model, n-3 PUFA-supplementation significantly reduced adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation (standard mean difference [SMD] = -1.23 with 95% confidence interval [CI] -2.24 to -0.23, p = 0.02) and platelet aggregation units, determined using the VerifyNow(®) rapid platelet-function assay system (SMD = -6.78 with 95% CI -12.58 to -0.98, p = 0.02). There was a trend toward decreased collagen-induced (SMD = -0.70 with 95% CI -0.72 to 0.33, p = 0.18) and arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation (SMD = -0.43 with 95% CI -2.26 to 1.40, p = 0.64) compared with controls; however, statistical significance was not reached.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our meta-analysis demonstrates that n-3 PUFA-supplementation is associated with a significant reduction in platelet aggregation when the participants were at poor health status, but not in healthy persons. High-risk patients with cardiovascular disease and even diabetics may potentially benefit from n-3 PUFAs therapy. However, n-3 PUFAs may not be effective in primary prevention. Larger trials need to be carried out to confirm the present findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Cardiology, General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing 100853, China.
authors.forename: Ling-gen
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Qun-xia
authors.initials: QX
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Xue-chun
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Xian-liang
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D003094:Collagen