Open Access
Table 6.
Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Factors Involved in the Pathophysiology of Atherosclerosis and Inflammation.
| Factor | Function | Effect of w-3 fatty acid |
|---|---|---|
| Arachidonic acid | Eicosanoid precursor, aggregates platelets; stimulates white blooo cells | ↓ |
| Thromboxane A2 | Platelet aggregation; vasoconstriction; increase of intracellular Ca++ | ↓ |
| Prostacyclin (PGI2/3) | Prevent platelet aggregation; vasodilation; increase cAMP | ↑ |
| Leukotriene (LTB4) | Neutrophil chemattractant; increase of intracellular Ca++ | ↓ |
| Fibrinogen | A member of the acute phase response; and a blood clotting factor | ↓ |
| Tissue pasminogen activator | Increase endogenous fibrinolysis | ↑ |
| Platelet activating factor (PAF) | Activates platelets and white blood cells | ↓ |
| Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) | Chemoattractant and mitogen for smooth muscles and macrophages | ↓ |
| Oxygen free radicals | Cellular damage; enhance LDL uptake via scavenger pathway; stimulate arachidonic acid metabolism | ↓ |
| Lipid hydroperoxides | Stimulate eicosanoid formation | ↓ |
| Interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor | Stimulate neutrophil O2 free radical formation; stimulate lymphocyte proliferation; stimulate PAF; express intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on endothelial cells; inhibit plasminogen activator, thus, procoagulants | ↓ |
| Interleukin-6 | Stimulates the synthesis of all acute phase proteins involved in the inflammatory response: C-reactive protein; serum amyloid A:, fibrinogen; α1-chymotrypsin; and haptoglobin | ↓ |
| C-reactive protein (CRP) | An acute phase reactant and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease | ↓ |
| Endothelial-derived relaxation factor | Reduces arterial vasoconstrictor response | ↓ |
| Insulin function | Increases sensitivity to insulin | |
| VLDL | Related to LDL and HDL level | ↓ |
| HDL | Decreases the risk for coronary heart disease | ↑ |
| Lp(a) | Lipoprotein(a) is a genetically determined protein that has atherogenic and thrombogenic properties | ↓ |
| Triglycerides and chylomicrons | Contribute to postprandial lipemia | ↓ |
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