The effects of fish oil consumption on cardiovascular remodeling in ApoE deficient mice

Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2013 Nov;91(11):960-5. doi: 10.1139/cjpp-2013-0077. Epub 2013 Jul 15.

Abstract

Owing to their spontaneous development of atherosclerosis, apolipoprotein E knockout mice (ApoE(KO)) are one of the best studied animal models for this disease. Little is known about the utility of various omega-3 fatty acid regimens, in particular fish oils, in preventing cardiac disease in ApoE(KO) mice. The purpose of this study was to determine the cardiovascular effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation with either safflower oil (control), fish oil, flaxseed oil, or designed oil in ApoE(KO) mice fed a high-fat diet for a total of 16 weeks. In-vivo cardiac function was assessed weekly using murine echocardiography. Blood pressure, plasma lipid levels, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were serially measured. The results show that ApoE(KO) mice fed fish oil demonstrated an increase in left ventricular wall thickness as a result of increased afterload. Despite chronic treatment with fish oil over 16 weeks, blood pressure increased in ApoE(KO) mice by 20% compared with the baseline. Both echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy and biochemical increase in BNP levels confirmed diastolic dysfunction in ApoE(KO) mice fed fish oil. This suggests that high-fat diet supplemented with fish oil may lead to adverse cardiovascular effects in ApoE deficient mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apolipoproteins E / deficiency*
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics*
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Cardiotonic Agents*
  • Echocardiography
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology*
  • Fish Oils / pharmacology*
  • Hemodynamics / drug effects
  • Linseed Oil / pharmacology
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / metabolism
  • Safflower Oil / pharmacology
  • Ventricular Function, Left / drug effects

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Cardiotonic Agents
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Fish Oils
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
  • Safflower Oil
  • Linseed Oil