title: Differential effects of EPA versus DHA on postprandial vascular function and the plasma oxylipin profile in men.
abstract: Our objective was to investigate the impact of EPA versus DHA on arterial stiffness and reactivity and underlying mechanisms (with a focus on plasma oxylipins) in the postprandial state. In a three-arm crossover acute test meal trial, men (n = 26, 35-55 years) at increased CVD risk received a high-fat (42.4 g) test meal providing 4.16 g of EPA or DHA or control oil in random order. At 0 h and 4 h, blood samples were collected to quantify plasma fatty acids, long chain n-3 PUFA-derived oxylipins, nitrite and hydrogen sulfide, and serum lipids and glucose. Vascular function was assessed using blood pressure, reactive hyperemia index, pulse wave velocity, and augmentation index (AIx). The DHA-rich oil significantly reduced AIx by 13% (P = 0.047) with the decrease following EPA-rich oil intervention not reaching statistical significance. Both interventions increased EPA- and DHA-derived oxylipins in the acute postprandial state, with an (1.3-fold) increase in 19,20-dihydroxydocosapentaenoic acid evident after DHA intervention (P < 0.001). In conclusion, a single dose of DHA significantly improved postprandial arterial stiffness as assessed by AIx, which if sustained would be associated with a significant decrease in CVD risk. The observed increases in oxylipins provide a mechanistic insight into the AIx effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Preventive Medicine, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7UQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Seán
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McManus
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Preventive Medicine, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7UQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Noemi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tejera
authors.affiliation: Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Khader
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Awwad
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Preventive Medicine, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7UQ, United Kingdom Institute of Food Research, Norwich NR4 7UA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5952-8756
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vauzour
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food Research, Norwich NR4 7UA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rigby
authors.affiliation: Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Preventive Medicine, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7UQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Aedin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cassidy
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Preventive Medicine, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7UQ, United Kingdom a.minihane@uea.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Minihane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D054883:Oxylipins / Q000097:blood*; D019518:Postprandial Period; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: C000602093:19,20-dihydroxydocosapentaenoic acid; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D009573:Nitrites; D054883:Oxylipins; D014280:Triglycerides; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide
keywords: augmentation index; blood pressure; docosahexaenoic acid; eicosapentaenoic acid; fish oil; hydrogen sulfide; lipidomics; nitric oxide; nutrition; omega-3 fatty acids; pulse wave velocity