A comparison of the influence on plasma lipids and platelet function of supplements of ω3 and ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Abstract

1. A randomized double-blind crossover trial was carried out to compare the influence on plasma lipid concentrations, platelet thromboxane B 2 production and platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen and U46619 (a prostaglandin endoperoxide analogue), of a daily 10 g supplement of a fish-oil concentrate (MaxEPA), which provided (g): 1·7 20:5ω3, 0·3 22:5ω3 and 1·2 22:6ω3, taken for 2 weeks by ten healthy subjects, with one of vegetable oil providing 3·4 18:2ω6. 2. A lower response to platelet aggregation induced by 0·5 μg collagen/ml but not by other aggregating agents was observed following both types of supplement. Platelet thromboxane B 2 production induced by collagen also tended to be lower following the supplements. 3. Plasma total cholesterol concentrations were unaffected by the supplements. The MaxEPA but not the vegetable-oil supplement lowered the concentration of plasma triglycerides and increased that of high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol.