Faculty Collaboration Database

Effect of dietary omega-3 fatty acid on serum lipids, platelet function, and atherosclerosis in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits. Arteriosclerosis 1989;9(4):529-37

Date

07/01/1989

Pubmed ID

2751481

DOI

10.1161/01.atv.9.4.529

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0024320531 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   46 Citations

Abstract

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in humans. However, the effects of these fatty acids on the interactions among lipid concentrations, platelet activity, and atherogenesis have not been characterized in humans or in animals with low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor deficiencies. To test the hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acids exert a protective effect in LDL receptor-deficient animals by lowering hyperlipidemia, reducing platelet aggregation, and reducing the severity of atherosclerosis, we evaluated young homozygous Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits that were fed omega-3 fatty acids. One-month-old male and female WHHL rabbits were placed on either a control diet (standard laboratory rabbit chow) or a diet supplemented with Menhaden fish oil (MFO), which contained eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Consumption measurements during the 5 months of the study indicated that the MFO-fed group received 150 to 200 mg/kg/day of EPA. Six-month-old, MFO-fed, female WHHL rabbits had significantly lower plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (582 +/- 20 mg/dl vs. 856 +/- 44 mg/dl, control, p less than 0.05) and triglycerides (266 +/- 21 mg/dl vs. 459 +/- 15 mg/dl, control, p less than 0.05), with lower serum/plasma lipoprotein concentrations [very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), LDL, high density lipoprotein (HDL)] compared to control female WHHL rabbits. Male MFO-fed rabbits had only significantly lower VLDLs (46 +/- 9 mg/dl) compared to control male WHHL rabbits (156 +/- 9 mg/dl, p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Author List

Clubb FJ Jr, Schmitz JM, Butler MM, Buja LM, Willerson JT, Campbell WB

Author

William B. Campbell PhD Professor in the Pharmacology and Toxicology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Animals
Aorta
Arteriosclerosis
Blood Platelets
Diet, Atherogenic
Dietary Fats
Disease Models, Animal
Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
Female
Fish Oils
Hyperlipidemias
Lipids
Lipoproteins
Male
Platelet Aggregation
Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
Rabbits