The influence of a fish oil high in docosahexaenoic acid on plasma lipoprotein and vitamin E concentrations and haemostatic function in healthy male volunteers

Abstract

Nine healthy male subjects consumed a daily fish oil supplement providing 2.1 g docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3; DHA) and 0 8 g eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3; EPA) for 6 weeks. The proportion of EPA and DHA in plasma, erythrocytes, leucocytes and platelet phospholipids was increased by the supplement. Plasma concentration of triacylglycerol and very-low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol were lowered and those of high-density-lipotrotein (HDL)-and HDL,-cholesterol and apoprotein B were increased. Platelet aggregation and thromboxane B, production induced by collagen were partially inhibited. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell during treatment and rose following withdrawal of the supplement. Statistically significant reductions in erythrocyte counts, packed cell volume and haemoglobin and increases in total leucocyte and monocyte counts occurred with the supplement. Plasma u-tocopherol concentrations fell below the normal range during the period of supplementation. It is suggested that future studies consider components other than EPA in fish oil. Further studies are needed to investigate the extent to which fish oil increases the requirement for antioxidant nutrients.

Marine oils: metabolic effects and role in human nutrition

“…A small but statistically significant fall in packed cell volume has also been noted in some studies using fish oil supplements (Sanders & Hinds, 1992) and in a study where the subjects consumed fish paste (Van Houwelingen et al 1987).…”

“…Several studies have noted falls in plasma vitamin E concentrations following fish oil supplementation (Bjorneboe et al 1988;Sanders & Hinds, 1992); this may occur even though additional vitamin E and antioxidants are added to the oil. A small but statistically significant fall in packed cell volume has also been noted in some studies using fish oil supplements (Sanders & Hinds, 1992) and in a study where the subjects consumed fish paste (Van Houwelingen et al 1987).…”

Fish Protein Stimulated the Fibrinolysis in Rats

“…The effects of fi sh oil or n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on blood coagulation and fi brinolysis have been examined [6][7][8] and several studies have found that fi sh oil containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) reduced platelet aggregability [9,10] . However, the effects of dietary fi sh oil on blood coagulation and fi brinolysis and their mechanisms have been controversial.…”

From alga to omega; have we reached peak (fish) oil?

“…[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] In certain situations such as heavy exercise, 8 high purified o3 highly unsaturated fatty acids intakes, 10,11,13 insufficient antioxidant cover 8,9 and significant pre-existing oxidative stress and/or inflammatory pathology, 8,13 this may create a pro-inflammatory environment, manifesting inter alia with increased DNA damage 9 and increased levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1). 13 It is important to point out that others have found sVCAM-1 to be reduced; 15 the divergent findings may reflect different intakes of dietary ancillary factors in different populations.…”