N-3 fatty acid supplementation to routine statin treatment inhibits platelet function, decreases patients' daytime blood pressure, and improves inflammatory status

Keren Doenyas-Barak, Sylvia Berman, Ramzia Abu-Hamad, Ahuva Golik, Naomi Rahimi-Levene, Shai Efrati

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives N-3 fatty acids reduce the risks of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Administration of N-3 fatty acids to patients treated with statins may potentiate the treatment effects. We examined the operating mechanisms underlying such a combination. Methods Thirty-two hypercholesterolemic patients aged 30-70 years with hypercholesterolemia controlled by statins, received sequential treatments with placebo followed by 1.9 g/day of N-3 fatty acids for 23 weeks. Scheduled clinical visits included physical examination, 24-h blood pressure measurement, endothelial function evaluated by pulse wave analysis, analyses for platelet function, inflammation markers [interleukin (IL)-6, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)] and oxidative stress parameters (STAT- 8-Isoprostane) were undertaken at baseline, after placebo treatment, and after 6 and 20 weeks of N-3 fatty acid intake. Results Platelets functions were significantly inhibited, whereas endothelial function parameters were unaltered. IL-6 significantly decreased whereas PAI-1and STAT-8- Isoprostane levels remained unaffected. Daytime blood pressure significantly decreased; however, nighttime pressure and heart rate remained unchanged. No evidence of lipid-profile improvement was observed following combined treatment with statins and N-3 fatty acids. Conclusions In hypercholesterolemic patients, combination of statins and N-3 fatty acid inhibits platelet aggregation, alters inflammatory status, and positively affects daytime blood pressure. Close long-term follow-up might reveal additional beneficial effects of N-3 fatty acids in this patient population.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1139-1146
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
Volume68
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2012

Keywords

  • Blood pressure
  • Inflammation
  • N-3 fatty acid
  • Platelets function
  • Statins

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pharmacology (medical)
  • Pharmacology

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