FATTY-ACID METABOLISM, PHARMACOLOGICAL NUTRIENTS AND HYPERTENSION

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a co ncentrated preparation (EPA30) containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) on the limiting des aturation steps of the polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis in spon taneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Adult SHR were divided into two gro ups: one group received a standard diet, and the experimental group th e standard diet including 0.8% of EPA30 for 9 weeks. Blood pressure wa s measured at the end of the diets. The desaturase activities and fatt y acid composition were determined in isolated hepatocytes. The blood pressure did not decrease in the experimental group. The desaturated p roducts of the n-6 family (gamma-linolenic acid, 18:3 n-6 and arachido nic acid, 20:4 n-6) were lowered in the EPA30 group, when their respec tive substrates (18:2 n-6 and 20:3 n-6) were increased. EPA and DHA we re higher in the experimental group. Delta 6 n-3, Delta 6 n-6 and Delt a 5 n-6 desaturase activities were depressed approximately 20% in the EPA30 group. EPA30 being an active nutrient on the EFAs cascade, incre asing the level of PG3 precursors and decreasing the level of PG2 prec ursors, favorable conditions have been established to reduce hypertens ion. The underlying mechanism related to the regulation of desaturase activities by these fatty nutrients remains to be elucidated.