NO CHANGES IN PAI-1 LEVELS AFTER 4-MONTH N-3 PUFA ETHYL-ESTER SUPPLEMENTATION IN HEALTHY-SUBJECTS

Recent studies have indicated that diets rich in fish or supplemented with fish oils may increase PAI-1 plasma levels. However, this finding has not been consistent and could be related, at least in part, to th e type of supplementation. Aim of this study was to investigate the ef fects of medium-term treatment with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PU FA) ethyl esters on fibrinolysis. Twenty normolipemic healthy male sub jects (age 27 to 41 yrs) were randomly assigned to receive either 4x1 g capsules of n-3 PUFA ethyl esters (ESAPENT, Farmitalia-Carlo Erba, M ilan, Italy) or 4x1 g capsules of olive oil (as placebo) for 4 months in a double blind study. Blood samples for lipid and hemostatic studie s were obtained at 0, 2, and 4 months of treatment and 1, 2 and 3 mont hs of wash-out. Plasma lipids, fibrinolytic system, lipoprotein (a) - Lp(a) -, fibrinogen (Fbg) and prothrombin activation fragment 1+2 (F12) were assayed. No changes in-these parameters were observed in the g roup of ten subjects treated with olive oil. After n-3 PUFA supplement ation no significant alterations were found in plasma lipids, even if a trend to lower triglyceride and Lp(a) levels was detectable. No chan ges in either PAI-1 activity or PAI-1 antigen levels or F1+2 plasma le vels were observed. A trend to lower Fbg levels was found after n-3 PU FA, but changes were not statistically significant. The results of thi s study indicate that a 4-month treatment with 4 g daily n-3 PUFA ethy l esters does not affect PAI-1 plasma levels.