FIBRINOLYTIC FUNCTION AFTER DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION WITH OMEGA-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS

Hypertension is associated with derangements in glucose and lipid meta bolism. Increased levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PA I-I) are thought to potentiate the development of coronary events in t his condition. Fish oil (omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFAs]) have lipid-lowering effects, bur the cardioprotective potential has be en questioned because fish oil has been found to increase PAI-1 activi ty. This study was performed to determine the effects of omega 3 PUFAs on the fibrinolytic function in hypertension. Seventy-eight persons w ith untreated hypertension were included in a 16-week, double-blind. r andomized, controlled intervention study with 4 g/d of eicosapentaenoi c and docosahexaenoic acids or corn oil placebo. Plasma PAI-I activity , tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) activity, levels of fibrinogen an d factor VIIc, and platelet count were measured before and after inter vention (mean+/-SE). PAI-I activity changed similarly in the fish oil and corn oil groups (1.8+/-1.0 U/mL versus 3.5+/-1.2 U/mL, P=.25), as did tPA (-0.02+/-0.02 IU/mL versus -0.13+/-0.03 IU/mL, P=.28), levels of factor VIIc (6+/-5% versus 5+/-4%, P>.3). and platelet count (2+/-7 x10(9)/L versus 3+/-5x10(9)/L, P>.3). None of these variables changed from pretreatment levels during fish oil intake. Fibrinogen levels inc reased significantly both during fish oil (0.6+/-0.1 g/L, P=.0001) and corn oil (0.4+/-0.1 g/L, P=.002) intake. There was no between-group d ifference (P>.3). Ln conclusion, a daily intake of 4 g omega 3 PUFAs d oes not affect PAI-1 and tPA activity in persons with hypertension. A modest increase in fibrinogen levels was observed after both fish oil and corn oil intake.