Abstract
Effects of a dietary intake of the polyunsaturated omega-6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids (GLA) on blood lipids, platelet function, and vascular prostacyclin production were studied 12 hyperlipidemic patients (doses of 3 g/day) and 12 male Wistar rats (doses of 3 mg/kg/day) for 4 months. In humans, GLA supplementation decreased plasma triglyceride (TG) levels by 48% (p < 0.001) and increased HDL-cholesterol concentration by 22% (p < 0.01). Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly decreased by omega-6 EFAs. Platelet aggregation induced by low concentrations of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and epinephrine, and serum thromboxane B2 decreased by 45% both in humans and animals after GLA supplementation. Bleeding time increased 40% (p , 0.01). In rats, vascular prostacyclin production measured by radioimmunoassay of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was enhanced by GLA intake. These effects of omega-6 EFAs may contribute to cardiovascular protection and prevention of the atherosclerotic disease.
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Randomized Controlled Trial
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / biosynthesis
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Adenosine Diphosphate / pharmacology
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Animals
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Arteriosclerosis / prevention & control
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Cholesterol / blood
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Cholesterol, HDL / blood
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Cholesterol, LDL / blood
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Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / administration & dosage
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Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / pharmacology*
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Epinephrine / pharmacology
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Fatty Acids, Omega-6
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Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / administration & dosage
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Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / pharmacology
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Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / therapeutic use
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Humans
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Male
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Platelet Aggregation / drug effects
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Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / administration & dosage
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Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / pharmacology*
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Rats
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Rats, Wistar
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Thromboxane B2 / blood
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Triglycerides / blood
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gamma-Linolenic Acid / administration & dosage
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gamma-Linolenic Acid / pharmacology*
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gamma-Linolenic Acid / therapeutic use
Substances
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Cholesterol, HDL
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Cholesterol, LDL
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Dietary Fats, Unsaturated
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Fatty Acids, Omega-6
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Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
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Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
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Triglycerides
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Thromboxane B2
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6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha
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Adenosine Diphosphate
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gamma-Linolenic Acid
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Cholesterol
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Epinephrine