Marine-Derived Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Heart Failure: Current Understanding for Basic to Clinical Relevance

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a rapidly growing global public health problem. Since HF results in high mortality and re-hospitalization, new effective treatments are desired. Although it remains controversial, omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), such as the eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, have been widely recognized to have benefits for HF. In a large-scale clinical trial regarding secondary prevention of HF by n-3 PUFA (GISSI-HF trial), the supplementation of n-3 PUFA significantly reduced cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization. Other small clinical studies proposed that n-3 PUFA potentially suppresses the ventricular remodeling and myocardial fibrosis, which thereby improves the ventricular systolic and diastolic function both in ischemic and non-ischemic HF. Basic investigations have further supported our understanding regarding the cardioprotective mechanisms of n-3 PUFA against HF. In these reports, n-3 PUFA has protected hearts through (1) anti-inflammatory effects, (2) intervention of cardiac energy metabolism, (3) modification of cardiac ion channels, (4) improvement of vascular endothelial response, and (5) modulation of autonomic nervous system activity. To clarify the pros and cons of n-3 PUFA on HF, we summarized recent evidence regarding the beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA on HF both from the clinical and basic studies.

Oils’ Impact on Comprehensive Fatty Acid Analysis and Their Metabolites in Rats

“…The results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study performed on nearly 7000 participants confirmed that supplementation with 1 g of n-3 PUFA daily significantly reduced cardiovascular mortality and admission to hospital for cardiovascular reasons in patients with heart failure [66]. This and other studies have been recently summarized by Sakamoto et al who highlighted some mechanisms of n-3 PUFA protective role in heart failure [67]. They involve direct and indirect actions, such as alterations of metabolic cardiomyocyte conditions or anti-inflammatory properties of PUFA metabolites.…”

The Polar Lipidome of Cultured Emiliania huxleyi: A Source of Bioactive Lipids with Relevance for Biotechnological Applications

“…The fatty acid analysis revealed the presence of high levels of n -3 PUFA, namely 22:6 n -3 (DHA, 17.2 ± 2.7%), 18:4 n -3 (SDA, 11.0 ± 0.4%), and 18:5 n -3 (6.6 ± 0.5%), which is in agreement with what has been previously described in literature [ 13 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. This profile gives E. huxleyi increased potential as a source of these compounds, which have been described with significant activity in reducing cardiovascular disease, morbidity, and mortality [ 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 ], as well as visual and neurological development and improvement in inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and asthma [ 65 , 66 , 67 ].…”

Biomaterials from the sea: Future building blocks for biomedical applications

“…[ 326 ] with permission from the publisher; B is reproduced from Ref. [ 327 ] with permission from the publisher; C is reproduced from Ref. [ 328 ] with permission from the publisher).…”