Search

This article provides an updated review on mechanistic and molecular studies relating to the effects of n-3 fatty acids (FA) on inhibiting atherogenesis.The effects of n-3 FA on modulating arterial lipoprotein lipase levels link to changes in lipid deposition in the arterial wall. Lipoprotein lipase expression in the arterial wall also relates to local macrophage-mediated inflammatory processes. Increasing evidence suggests that n-3 FA ameliorate inflammation, another key component in the development of atherosclerosis, including decreases in proinflammatory cytokine production. n-3 FA inhibit atherogenic signaling pathways and modulate the phenotypes of inflammatory leukocytes and their recruitment in the arterial wall.New mechanistic insights into the antiatherogenic action of n-3 FA have emerged. These studies may contribute to future therapeutic advances in preventing mortality and morbidity associated with atherosclerosis.

Essential fatty acids have been of interest in the treatment of systemic and ocular diseases, and is most recently of interest in the area of dry eye disease.Systemic and topical omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids have been used recently as an adjunctive treatment for patients with dry eye disease. They appear to have efficacy against the symptoms of dry eye that many patients experience. This symptom is postulated to be secondary to the anti-inflammatory effects that have been previously described. Although this effect is promising, more investigation is warranted in order to standardize indication for use, and composition and dosing for treatment.The use of essential fatty acids as a nutritional supplement is a novel treatment for patients with dry eye syndrome.

Purpose of review There is now a considerable factual basis from laboratory and clinical trials that omega-3 fatty acids of fish oil will prevent fatal arrhythmias in animals and humans and this is the focus of the review. Recent findings Several recent trials in humans have strengthened the evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may prevent arrhythmias although this has not been a uniform finding. Summary Since there are at present some 400 000 deaths annually in the US alone and millions more worldwide, what has been learned about the antiarrhythmic actions of omega-3 fatty acids has considerable potential public-health benefit.

It has been shown that in animals, and probably in humans, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are antiarrhythmic. We discuss recent studies on the antiarrhythmic actions of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids stabilize the electrical activity of isolated cardiac myocytes by inhibiting sarcolemmal ion channels so that a stronger electrical stimulus is required to elicit an action potential and the relative refractory period is markedly prolonged. This appears at present to be the probable major antiarrhythmic mechanism of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Dietary fish intake and ingestion of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFAs) have been associated with lower rates of ventricular and atrial arrhythmias in some (but not all) observational studies and randomized controlled clinical trials performed on diverse human populations.[1][1]–[2][2