scholarly journals Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Stroke Burden

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (22) ◽  
pp. 5549
Author(s):  
Yuji Ueno ◽  
Nobukazu Miyamoto ◽  
Kazuo Yamashiro ◽  
Ryota Tanaka ◽  
Nobutaka Hattori

Stroke is a major leading cause of death and disability worldwide. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid have potent anti-inflammatory effects, reduce platelet aggregation, and regress atherosclerotic plaques. Since the discovery that the Greenland Eskimo population, whose diet is high in marine n-3 PUFAs, have a lower incidence of coronary heart disease than Western populations, numerous epidemiological studies to explore the associations of dietary intakes of fish and n-3 PUFAs with cardiovascular diseases, and large-scale clinical trials to identify the benefits of treatment with n-3 PUFAs have been conducted. In most of these studies the incidence and mortality of stroke were also evaluated mainly as secondary endpoints. Thus, a systematic literature review regarding the association of dietary intake of n-3 PUFAs with stroke in the epidemiological studies and the treatment effects of n-3 PUFAs in the clinical trials was conducted. Moreover, recent experimental studies were also reviewed to explore the molecular mechanisms of the neuroprotective effects of n-3 PUFAs after stroke.

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Orso ◽  
Gianna Fabbri ◽  
Aldo Pietro Maggioni ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in adults and is associated with an increased risk of fatal and non-fatal events. Antiarrhythmic drugs provide limited protection against AF recurrence and have a poor safety profile. Several mechanisms have been proven to be involved in AF, e.g. inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis and ischaemia. Prevention of AF with interventions that target these mechanisms has emerged as a result of experimental studies suggesting the use of upstream therapies. Long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have multiple effects on cardiac electrophysiology, and epidemiological studies on fish oil suggest a possible use of n-3 PUFA in AF prevention. Several randomised clinical trials have been designed to evaluate the efficacy of n-3 PUFA in preventing AF. In this review, we report the conflicting results of these trials in two different clinical settings: recurrence in patients with history of AF and development of post-operative AF in patient undergoing cardiac surgery.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 3703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akshay Goel ◽  
Naga Pothineni ◽  
Mayank Singhal ◽  
Hakan Paydak ◽  
Tom Saldeen ◽  
...  

Fish and commercially available fish oil preparations are rich sources of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the most important fatty acids in fish oil. Following dietary intake, these fatty acids get incorporated into the cell membrane phospholipids throughout the body, especially in the heart and brain. They play an important role in early brain development during infancy, and have also been shown to be of benefit in dementia, depression, and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Early epidemiologic studies show an inverse relationship between fish consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease. This led to the identification of the cardioprotective role of these marine-derived fatty acids. Many experimental studies and some clinical trials have documented the benefits of fish oil supplementation in decreasing the incidence and progression of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmias, and stroke. Possible mechanisms include reduction in triglycerides, alteration in membrane fluidity, modulation of cardiac ion channels, and anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and anti-arrhythmic effects. Fish oil supplements are generally safe, and the risk of toxicity with methylmercury, an environmental toxin found in fish, is minimal. Current guidelines recommend the consumption of either one to two servings of oily fish per week or daily fish oil supplements (around 1 g of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids per day) in adults. However, recent large-scale studies have failed to demonstrate any benefit of fish oil supplements on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. Here, we review the different trials that evaluated the role of fish oil in cardiovascular diseases.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Pei-Chen Chang ◽  
Yi-Ting Chen ◽  
Kuan-Pin Su

Background. Based on epidemiological data, clinical trials, and meta-analytic reviews, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) seem to be a biological link between depression and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Presentation. Involvement of n-3 PUFAs in depression and CVDs may be associated with a chronic, low-grade, inflammation. We hypothesize that n-3 PUFAs link depression and CVDs via “PUFA-prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) cascade.” Testing. To further support our hypothesis, case-control studies are needed to test the role of COX2 and PLA2 functions in depression and in CVDs. In addition, the effects of n-3 PUFAs on cardiovascular markers in depression and on depressive symptoms in CVDs should be investigated in clinical trials. Finally, the effects of manipulating COX2 and PLA2 functions on depression-like behaviors and cardiovascular functions could be explored in animal studies. Implications. n-3 PUFAs might be a promising treatment for both cardiovascular diseases and depression via its anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective effects.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunhee Choi ◽  
Kyungho Ha ◽  
Jiae Shin ◽  
Dongwoo Ham ◽  
Hyojee Joung

Abstract Objectives Several epidemiological studies have suggested that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have a preventive effect on depression, but these findings are inconsistent. This study was aimed to investigate the association of PUFA intake with depression among Korean adults based on the national survey data. Methods Using data from the 2014–2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 9201 adults (3719 men and 8482 women) aged ≥19 years were involved in this study. Dietary intakes of PUFAs including n-3 PUFA, n-6 PUFA, n-6/n-3 ratio, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were estimated by a 24-h dietary recall. The presence of depression was diagnosed with a validated Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scale. The odds ratios (OR) for the presence of depression according to the quartile of PUFAs intakes were calculated using a multiple logistic regression model. Results The prevalence of depression among the participants was 6.35%.The mean intake of n-3 PUFA was 1.64 g/day for the study participants, which was higher in participants without depression (1.65 g/day) than those with depression (1.43 g/day). A higher intake of n-3 PUFA (both % energy and energy-adjusted intake) was associated with a decreased prevalence of depression (OR of the highest quartile vs lowest quartile of the % E from n-3 PUFA, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.44–0.87; P for trend = 0.0241 and OR of the highest quartile vs lowest quartile of energy-adjusted n-3 PUFA, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.46–0.86; P for trend = 0.0124). There was no significant sex difference between dietary n-3 PUFA and depression. However, the associations between the intakes of n-6 PUFA, n-6/n-3 ratio, EPA, and DHA and the prevalence of depression were not significant. Conclusions Our findings suggest that a higher intake of dietary n-3 PUFA might be associated with a lower risk of depression in adults of Korean population. Thus, further studies are necessary to elucidate underlying mechanism of n-3 PUFA to prevent depression. Funding Sources This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (No. 21B20151213037). Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs


Tumor Biology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 101042831769225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nahla E El-Ashmawy ◽  
Eman G Khedr ◽  
Hoda A El-Bahrawy ◽  
Samar M Al-Tantawy

Bladder cancer remains a huge concern for the medical community because of its incidence and prevalence rates, as well as high percentage of recurrence and progression. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and atorvastatin proved anti-inflammatory effects through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma mechanism. However, their chemopreventive effect still remained to be examined and clarified. In this study, bladder cancer was induced in rats by the chemical carcinogen N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid: 2:3 w/w; 1200 mg/kg) and/or atorvastatin (6 mg/kg) were given orally daily to rats for eight consecutive weeks concomitantly with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine and continued for further 4 weeks after cessation of N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine administration. The histopathological examination of rat bladder revealed the presence of tumors and the absence of apoptotic bodies in sections from N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine group, while tumors were absent and apoptotic bodies were clearly observed in sections from rat groups treated with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, atorvastatin, or both drugs. The study of the molecular mechanisms illustrated downregulation of COX-2 and P53 (mutant) genes and suppression of transforming growth factor beta-1 and the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde in serum of rats of the three treated groups. This chemopreventive effect was confirmed by and associated with lower level of bladder tumor antigen in urine. However, the combined treatment with both drugs exhibited the major protective effect and nearly corrected the dyslipidemia that has been induced by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine. Collectively, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and atorvastatin, besides having anti-inflammatory properties, proved a chemopreventive effect against bladder cancer, which nominates them to be used as adjuvant therapy with other chemotherapeutics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Samina Akbar ◽  
Muhammad Zeeshan Bhatti ◽  
Rida Fatima Saeed ◽  
Asma Saleem Qazi

Over the last decades, the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been largely explored not only for their nutritional value but also for the numerous biological functions and therapeutic effects. The serum and erythrocyte levels of PUFAs depend on the genetic control of metabolism as well as the dietary intake and are considered to reflect the health and disease status of an individual. Two families of PUFAs, omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6), have gained much attention because of their involvement in the production of bioactive lipid mediators and therefore, a balanced omega-6/omega-3 ratio is crucial in maintaining the overall health of an individual. Omega-3 PUFAs, notably eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) have been shown to exert beneficial effects, possibly due to their lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive and cardioprotective effects, whereas omega-6 fatty acids such as arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6) exhibit the opposite properties. Even though, numerous epidemiological studies and clinical interventions have clearly established the effectiveness of omega-3 PUFAs in various pathological conditions including dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, some controversies do exist about the beneficial effects of omega-3 PUFAs and need to be clarified. Larger clinical trials with extended follow-up periods are required along with a careful dose selection, in order to confirm the clinical significance and efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs as therapeutic agents.


Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Oppedisano ◽  
Roberta Macrì ◽  
Micaela Gliozzi ◽  
Vincenzo Musolino ◽  
Cristina Carresi ◽  
...  

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids with 18, 20 or 22 carbon atoms, which have been found able to counteract cardiovascular diseases. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in particular, have been found to produce both vaso- and cardio-protective response via modulation of membrane phospholipids thereby improving cardiac mitochondrial functions and energy production. However, antioxidant properties of n-3 PUFAs, along with their anti-inflammatory effect in both blood vessels and cardiac cells, seem to exert beneficial effects in cardiovascular impairment. In fact, dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFAs has been demonstrated to reduce oxidative stress-related mitochondrial dysfunction and endothelial cell apoptosis, an effect occurring via an increased activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. On the other hand, n-3 PUFAs have been shown to counteract the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in both vascular tissues and in the myocardium, thereby restoring vascular reactivity and myocardial performance. Here we summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of n-3 PUFAs in vascular and cardiac tissues and their implication in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.


Marine Drugs ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Fogacci ◽  
Enrico Strocchi ◽  
Maddalena Veronesi ◽  
Claudio Borghi ◽  
Arrigo F. G. Cicero

Even though omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) seem to be effective in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated dyslipidemia, their impact is still debated. For this reason, our aim was to perform a meta-analysis of the clinical evidence available to date. A systematic literature search was conducted in order to identify published clinical trials assessing the effect of PUFAs treatment on serum lipoproteins, and its safety profile. The effect sizes for lipid changes were expressed as mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). For safety analysis, odd ratios and the 95% CI were calculated with the Mantel–Haenszel method. Data were pooled from nine clinical studies comprising overall 578 HIV-affected subjects. Meta-analysis of the data suggested that omega-3 PUFAs significantly reduced triglycerides (TG) (MD = −1.04, 95% CI: −1.5, −0.58 mmol/L, p < 0.001), while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.61 mmol/L, p = 0.004), without affecting serum levels of total cholesterol, very-low- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B and A1. Change in TG was significantly associated with eicosapentaenoic acid administered via daily dose. PUFA treatment did not lead to an increased risk of adverse events. In conclusion, PUFAs are safe and exert a significant plasma lipid improving effect in HIV-positive patients.


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