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Research: MORGAN and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 141
Abstract
MORGAN and colleagues, Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, have conducted further studies of the connection between n-3 fatty acids and heart disease.
Background
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of n-3 fatty acids administration on endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients who received treatment for chronic heart failure.
Methodology
Twenty patients (mean age 73 years; 15 men) with grade II and III chronic heart failure who were on maximal medical management were randomized in a double-blind, crossover fashion to 6 weeks of n-3 fatty acid (1.8 g eicosapentaenoic acid and 1.2 g docosahexaenoic acid) or olive oil. Forearm blood flow responses to incremental doses of intra-arterial sodium nitroprusside, acetycholine, angiotensin-II, and N(g)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester were assessed.
Results
The endothelium-dependent increase in blood flow was greater in response in acetycholine infusion after n-3 fatty acid administration (7.9 to 11.3 arbitrary units, p <0.05) compared with baseline and olive oil administration. Neither n-3 fatty acid nor olive oil altered endothelium-independent vasodilation in response to infusion of sodium nitroprusside, nor did they influence vasoconstrictor responses.
Conclusion
Dietary n-3 fatty acid supplementation was accompanied by an increase in blood flow response to acetycholine, which represents enhanced endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Further studies are warranted to assess the mechanism responsible for the beneficial actions of n-3 fatty acids in chronic heart failure.
References
Morgan DR et al. Effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients with chronic heart failure. American Journal of Cardiology 97 (4): 547-551, Feb 15, 2006.
Comment
The above research studies with lycopene-containing tomato extract and omega-3 fatty acids demonstrate how foods and nutritional supplements could potentially save many thousands of lives due to their cardioprotective benefits.
