FATTY-ACIDS IN HUMAN PLATELETS AND PLASMA - DIETARY SEAL OIL DECREASES SENSITIVITY TOWARD MICROBUBBLES

Platelet aggregation induced by microbubbles (simulating microbubbles developing during deep sea diving or clinical situations such as extra corporeal circulation) in platelet rich plasma was measured in 11 male volunteers before and after intake of 15 ml seal oil (Pagophilus groe nlandica) per day for 2 weeks. The relative content of arachidonic aci d (AA) decreased in platelets from all individuals, whereas the conten t of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increa sed. Also in plasma, the relative content of EPA and DHA increased, wh ile the change in AA content was small but variable. Generally, the pl atelet content of oleic acid increased while the linoleic acid decreas ed, Intake of seal oil decreased platelet aggregation induced by micro bubbles. A significant correlation between aggregation in platelet-ric h plasma (PRP) and the AA content in platelets was shown, while there was a significant negative correlation between oleic acid content and platelet aggregation. In whole blood, however, seal oil intake did not result in less platelet aggregation using ADP and U-46619 as agonists .