Effect of stable fish oil on arterial thrombogenesis, platelet aggregation, and superoxide dismutase activity

We examined the influence of dietary stable fish oil on aortic thrombosis, platelet aggregation, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in a rat mode l. Twenty-nine Sprague-Dawley rats were fed regular chow supplemented with stable fish oil preparation (for 1 or 3 weeks), and 37 rats fed regular cho w served as controls. The abdominal cavity was opened, and the abdominal ao rta isolated. Whatman paper impregnated with 35% FeCl3 was wrapped around t he surface of the aorta, and aortic now was continuously recorded. In contr ol rats, an occlusive platelet-fibrin-rich thrombus was formed in 21 +/- 3 min. Dietary fish oil in a time-dependent fashion delayed time to thrombus formation (24 +/- 2 min in rats fed fish oil for 1 week and 31 +/- 2 min in rats fed fish oil for 3 weeks), inhibited platelet aggregation (21 +/- 5% vs. 35 +/- 6%; p < 0.01) and increased SOD activity (p < 0.01). We conclude that dietary supplementation with stable fish oil delays formation of arte rial thrombus, probably by reducing platelet aggregation and oxidative stre ss-associated arterial injury.