The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
Volume 21, Issue 9 , Pages 781-792, September 2010

Mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids☆☆☆

  • Yuriko Adkins
    • ,
  • Darshan S. Kelley

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. USDA/ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center, University of California Davis, 430 West Health Sciences Drive, Davis CA 95616-8633, USA. Tel.: +1 530 752 5138; fax: +1 530 752 5295.

Western Human Nutrition Research Center, ARS, USDA, University of California Davis, CA 95616, USA

Department of Nutrition, University of California Davis, CA 95616, USA

Received 6 October 2009; received in revised form 1 December 2009; accepted 3 December 2009. published online 12 April 2010.

Abstract 

Typical omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in the form of fish oils and α linolenic acid from flaxseed oil. Epidemiological studies suggested the benefits of n-3 PUFA on cardiovascular health. Intervention studies confirmed that the consumption of n-3 PUFA provided benefits for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Evidence from cellular and molecular research studies indicates that the cardioprotective effects of n-3 PUFA result from a synergism between multiple, intricate mechanisms that involve antiinflammation, proresolving lipid mediators, modulation of cardiac ion channels, reduction of triglycerides, influence on membrane microdomains and downstream cell signaling pathways and antithrombotic and antiarrhythmic effects. n-3 PUFAs inhibit inflammatory signaling pathways (nuclear factor-κ B activity) and down-regulate fatty acid (FA) synthesis gene expression (sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c) and up-regulate gene expression involved in FA oxidation (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α). This review examines the various mechanisms by which n-3 PUFA exert beneficial effects against CVD.

Keywords: Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, Cardiovascular disease, Atherosclerosis

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☆ Authors have no undisclosed financial or personal interests in any company or organization connected in any way with the research presented in this article.

☆☆ Reference to a company or product name does not imply approval or recommendation of the product by the US Department of Agriculture to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.

PII: S0955-2863(10)00013-6

doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2009.12.004

The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
Volume 21, Issue 9 , Pages 781-792, September 2010

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