title: Omega-3 fatty acids: mechanisms underlying 'protective effects' in atherosclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article provides an updated review on mechanistic and molecular studies relating to the effects of n-3 fatty acids (FA) on inhibiting atherogenesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The effects of n-3 FA on modulating arterial lipoprotein lipase levels link to changes in lipid deposition in the arterial wall. Lipoprotein lipase expression in the arterial wall also relates to local macrophage-mediated inflammatory processes. Increasing evidence suggests that n-3 FA ameliorate inflammation, another key component in the development of atherosclerosis, including decreases in proinflammatory cytokine production. n-3 FA inhibit atherogenic signaling pathways and modulate the phenotypes of inflammatory leukocytes and their recruitment in the arterial wall.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New mechanistic insights into the antiatherogenic action of n-3 FA have emerged. These studies may contribute to future therapeutic advances in preventing mortality and morbidity associated with atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Nutrition and Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Chuchun L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Deckelbaum
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004032:Diet; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase / Q000378:metabolism; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase