EFFECTS OF EICOSAPENTAENOIC ACID ON BLOOD RHEOLOGY IN RATS WITH FATTYLIVER

A blood rheology study was conducted using Kikuchi's microchannel meth od in male Sprague Dawley rats with fatty liver induced by choline def iciency. Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on blood rheology were also evaluated. Male Sprague Dawley rats given normal feed served as the control, One group was given choline deficient feed for 4 weeks (E PA(-) group), while another was given EPA (1000 mg/kg) once daily for 4 weeks together with choline-deficient feed (EPA (+) group). The micr ochannel passage time was determined using 100 mL of whole blood durin g observation under a microscope with a video camera. The passage time increased significantly in the EPA (-) group compared with the contro l group, while it was significantly shorter in the EPA (+) group compa red with the EPA (-) group. Changes in platelet aggregation and leukoc yte adhesion were less in the EPA (+) group than in the EPA (-) or the control groups. EPA supplementation appeared to correct blood flow ch anges induced by choline deficiency in rats.