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Clinical studies suggest that dietary o3-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, like fish oils (FO), may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we studied the effects of dietary FO on left ventricular (LV) adaptations to pressure overload. Male Wistar rats were fed either a low fat/high carbohydrate chow (NC) or NC supplemented with FO (NC+FO, 4% of total energy from EPA/DHA). After 1 week rats underwent abdominal aortic banding (AB) or sham surgery (n=9-11/group) and at 8 weeks LV function was assessed by echocardiography. There were no differences in any parameters between the groups prior to surgery. AB led to a 26% increase in LV mass; however, this hypertrophic response was significantly reduced in the NC+FO group. FO also prevented AB induced LV remodeling and cardiac dysfunction (see table). Conclusion: Dietary FO prevented pressure overload induced LV hypertrophy, chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction. * p<0.05 vs. respective sham; # p<0.05 vs. NC banded [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]