Impact of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on vascular function and blood pressure: Relevance for cardiovascular outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To overview the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on blood vessels and blood pressure (BP) and their relevance for cardiovascular prevention.


RESULTS
The importance of omega-3 PUFA for the cardiovascular system has come under the spotlight during the last decades. These fatty acids are present in variable amounts in cell membranes of mammal species, and their content affects a variety of cellular functions. Evidence obtained in animal and human studies suggests that omega-3 PUFA affect many steps of the atherosclerotic process. In blood vessels, omega-3 PUFA improve endothelial function; promote vasodilatation through relaxation of smooth muscle cells; exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic actions; delay development of plaques and increase their stability; and decrease wall stiffening. Omega-3 PUFA might affect BP, and studies conducted with ambulatory monitoring suggest that supplementation with these fatty acids decreases the average 24-h BP levels. This effect on BP is related to the pretreatment membrane content of omega-3 PUFA, and this might explain some inconsistencies among intervention trials. Meta-analyses indicate that omega-3 PUFA have a mild but significant BP lowering effect. While encouraging results were initially obtained with the use of omega-3 PUFA supplements in secondary prevention trials, meta-analyses have not confirmed the ability of these fatty acids to decrease the risk of coronary heart and cerebrovascular disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Omega-3 PUFA are associated with significant improvement in vascular function and lowering of BP. However, the evidence currently supporting the role of these fatty acids in cardiovascular prevention is weak and needs further investigation.
Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Medical Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
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Colussi
Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Medical Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
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Catena
Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Medical Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
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Novello
Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Medical Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
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Bertin
Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Medical Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy. Electronic address: sechi@uniud.it.
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Sechi
D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic; D065840:Protective Factors; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000187:drug effects*
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular risk; Fatty acids; Hypertension; Meta-analysis