title: A new piece in the puzzling effect of n-3 fatty acids on atherosclerosis?
abstract: Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3) FA are reported to be protective against cardiovascular disease (CVD), notably through their beneficial action on atherosclerosis development. In this context dietary intake of long-chain marine eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is recommended and randomised trials largely support that EPA and DHA intake is associated with a reduction of CVD. However, mechanisms governing the atheroprotective action of n-3 FA are still unclear and numerous studies using mouse models conducted so far do not allow to reach a precise view of the cellular and molecular effects of n-3 FA on atherosclerosis. In the current issue of Atherosclerosis, Chang et al. provide important new information on the anti-atherogenic properties of n-3 FA by analysing the incremental replacement of saturated FA by pure fish oil as a source of EPA and DHA in Ldlr(-/-) mice fed a high fat/high cholesterol diet.
authors.affiliation: INSERM UMR_S1166, Team 4: Integrative Biology of Atherosclerosis, F-75013 Paris, France; Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris6, F-75005 Paris, France; Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, F-75013 Paris, France. Electronic address: wilfried.le_goff@upmc.fr.
authors.forename: Wilfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Le Goff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Inflammation; Lipoprotein lipase; Macrophage; n-3 Fatty acids