Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids—Vascular and Cardiac Effects on the Cellular and Molecular Level (Narrative Review)

Abstract

In the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, in addition to the already proven effective treatment of dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are considered as substances with additive effects on cardiovascular health. N-3 PUFAs combine their indirect effects on metabolic, inflammatory and thrombogenic parameters with direct effects on the cellular level. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) seems to be more efficient than docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the favorable mitigation of atherothrombosis due to its specific molecular properties. The inferred mechanism is a more favorable effect on the cell membrane. In addition, the anti-fibrotic effects of n-3 PUFA were described, with potential impacts on heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction. Furthermore, n-3 PUFA can modify ion channels, with a favorable impact on arrhythmias. However, despite recent evidence in the prevention of cardiovascular disease by a relatively high dose of icosapent ethyl (EPA derivative), there is still a paucity of data describing the exact mechanisms of n-3 PUFAs, including the role of their particular metabolites. The purpose of this review is to discuss the effects of n-3 PUFAs at several levels of the cardiovascular system, including controversies.

Nutritional Value and Antioxidant Activity of Fresh Pumpkin Flowers (Cucurbita sp.) Grown in Poland

“…Polyenoic acids (PUFAs) are not synthesized due to the lack of enzyme systems capable of introducing double bonds at the n-6 and n-3 positions of the carbon chain and must be supplied daily with food. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids from the n-3 family (docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3)) are particularly important for the proper functioning of the nervous and circulatory systems [29,30]. The fatty acid profile presented by some other authors differs from that presented in this paper.…”

Changes in fatty acid profiles of microencapsulated fish oils prepared with citrus essential oils using a spray dryer

“…It was suggested that this ratio could be maximum 4 (HMSO, 1994). Reduction in the ratio of Σn6/n3 fatty acids in the human diet is essential to help prevent coronary heart disease and reduce the risk of cancer (Drenjančević & Pitha, 2022). Özyurt et al ., (2020) determined the ∑n6/n3 ratios in the samples of crude and microencapsulated anchovy oil in the range of 0.08 and 0.10–0.15, respectively.…”

Oxidative balance score reflects vascular endothelial function of Chinese community dwellers

“…The overall OBS of this study was calculated by 16 pro- and antioxidant factors. In particular, there are two dietary prooxidants: ω-6 and FER( Toborek et al, 1996 ; Ehara et al, 2001 ; Ghosh et al, 2006 ; Van Beelen et al, 2006 ; Syrovatka et al, 2011 ); eight dietary antioxidants: α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, Vit C, and ω-3 ( Rimm et al, 1993 ; Frei, 1994 ; Upritchard et al, 2003 ; Kinlay et al, 2004 ; Tamimi et al, 2005 ; Cai et al, 2010 ; Milani et al, 2017 ; Elvira-Torales et al, 2019 ; Snezhkina et al, 2019 ; Stupin et al, 2019 ; Yimcharoen et al, 2019 ; Drenjančević and Pitha, 2022 ; Khutami et al, 2022 ); three lifestyle prooxidants: BMI, smoking history, and alcohol consumption ( Keaney et al, 2003 ; Furukawa et al, 2004 ; van der Vaart et al, 2004 ; Frohnert et al, 2011 ; Caliri et al, 2021 ); and three lifestyle antioxidants: physical activity level, aspirin, and NSAID use frequency ( Kaur and Geetha, 2006 ; Radak et al, 2008 ). Factors with continuous variables were divided into categories based on the tertile values.…”