Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Adipose Tissue and Risk of Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Abstract-Omega-3 fatty acids have potential antiatherogenic, antithrombotic, and antiarrhythmic properties, but their role in coronary heart disease remains controversial. To evaluate the association of omega-3 fatty acids in adipose tissue with the risk of myocardial infarction in men, a case-control study was conducted in eight European countries and Israel. Cases (nϭ639) included patients with a first myocardial infarction admitted to coronary care units within 24 hours from the onset of symptoms. Controls (nϭ700) were selected to represent the populations originating the cases. Adipose tissue levels of fatty acids were determined by capillary gas chromatography. The mean (ϮSD) proportion of ␣-linolenic acid was 0.77% (Ϯ0.19) of fatty acids in cases and 0.80% (Ϯ0.19) of fatty acids in controls (Pϭ0.01). The relative risk for the highest quintile of ␣-linolenic acid compared with the lowest was 0.42 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22 to 0.81, P-trendϭ0.02). After adjusting for classical risk factors, the relative risk for the highest quintile was 0.68 (95% CI 0.31 to 1.49, P-trendϭ0.38). The mean proportion of docosahexaenoic acid was 0.24% (Ϯ0.13) of fatty acids in cases and 0.25% (Ϯ0.13) of fatty acids in controls (Pϭ0.14), with no evidence of association with risk of myocardial infarction. In this large case-control study we could not detect a protective effect of docosahexaenoic acid on the risk of myocardial infarction. The protective effect of ␣-linolenic acid was attenuated after adjusting for classical risk factors (mainly smoking), but it deserves further research.

Adipose tissue fatty acids and risk of myocardial infarction—a case-control study

“…Only in one prospective study has no association been found between biological markers for intake of VLCn-3 fatty acids (content in serum cholesterol esters and in phospholipids) and incidence of myocardial infarction (Guallar et al, 1995). In the recent European multicenter case ± control (EURAMIC) study, also no overall association was found between adipose tissue content of DHA and risk of myocardial infarction (Guallar et al, 1999). In the Norwegian population of that study, however, an inverse association was found.…”

Atherosclerosis in parrots. A review

“…The intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may protect against the development and progression of atherosclerosis in humans and experimental animals, such as quails and monkeys (12,16,24,30,48). For parrots, the main n-3 fatty acid is a-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3), which can be found in plant oils such as soybean oil, rapeseed oil, perilla seed oil and linseed oil.…”

Fish Oil–Derived Fatty Acids, Docosahexaenoic Acid and Docosapentaenoic Acid, and the Risk of Acute Coronary Events

“…In the European Community Multicenter Study on Antioxidants, Myocardial Infarction, and Breast Cancer (EURAMIC), 8 there was no association between the DHA in adipose tissue and the risk of myocardial infarction. However, the DPA synthesized from EPA was not measured.…”

“…1 High dietary fish intake or high circulating or tissue levels of fish-derived fatty acids has been associated with a reduced risk of CHD in some, [2][3][4] but not in all, studies. [5][6][7][8] Previous observations have suggested that a high mercury intake may increase the risk of myocardial infarction and accelerate atherosclerosis. 9,10 A high mercury content in fish could counteract the protective metabolic effects of the fatty acids in fish.…”