Key Findings
Abnormalities in ventricular fibrillation (VF) may precipitate sudden cardiac death (SCD). In this study, aged spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) showed lower EPA plus DHA than Wistar rats. Levels of both were elevated following n3 feeding. ALA was higher in females than males regardless the strain. Females of both strains showed much lower amounts of arachidonic acid which shows the influence of sex hormones on n3 and n6 conversion. Lower ALA was associated with higher EPA and DHA; and AA to EPA ratio was higher in SHR than Wistar rats. Harmful arrhythmias in SHR were associated with higher n6 and lower n3 concentrations.
ABSTRACT
Polyunsaturated omega 3 fatty acids are important components of cell membrane affecting its function and their deficiency is deleterious to health. We have previously shown that spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are prone to life- threatening arrhythmias that are reduced by n3 PUFA intake. Purpose of this study was to explore plasma and red blood c ells (RBC) profile of n3 and n6 PUFA as well as to determine n3 index, a risk factor for sudden cardiac death, in aged SHR and the effect of n3 PUFA intake. Male and female 12 month old SHR and age matched Wistar rats fed with 3 PUFA (200 mg per kg BW per day per 2 month) were compared with untreated rats. Composition of n3 PUFA alpha linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as well as n6 PUFA: linoleic acid and arachidonic acid was analyzed by gas chromatography. Results showed sex and strain related differences of basal n3 and n6 PUFA levels in plasma and RBC as well as in response to n3 PUFA intake. Comparing to Wistar rats n3 index, expressed as a percentage of EPA plus DHA of total fatty acids, was lower in SHR and it increased due to consumption of n3 PUFA. Findings support our hypothesis that lower n3 index may be also a marker of increased propensity of the hypertensive rat heart to malignant arrhythmias. (Authors abstract)
This is a free article, click below to view:
Link to Full Text