Beneficial effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on endothelial vasodiator functions in animals and humans

摘要

Epidemiological studies have suggested that the incidence of ischemic heart disease is significantly lower in populations consuming a diet rich in marine oils [1-3]. Dietary supplementation with marine oils produces several cardiovascular protective effects, including reductions in platelet aggregability and thrombolytic tendencies, and beneficial changes in plasma lipid levels [4, 5]. However, little information has been available on the effect of dietary supplementation of marine oils on vascular reactivity in general and on endothelium-dependent responses in particular. Endothelial cells play an important role in mediating interactions between blood components and vascular smooth muscle, including the release of prostacyclin (PGI_2), nitric oxide (NO), and a not yet characterized endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) [6, 7]. The injury or dysfunction of endothelial cells, together with resultant platelet aggregation and the release of platelet products, is one of the important mechanisms of atherosclerosis. This chapter briefly summarizes the author's work on the effects of marine oils and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on endothelial vasodilator function in both animals and humans.