n-3 PUFA which mechanisms?

Increasing evidence suggests that n-3 fatty acids derived from fish and fish oils may play a protective role in coronary heart disease and its many complications, through a variety of actions, including effects on Lipids, blood pressure, cardiac and vascular function, prostanoids, coagulation and immunological responses. All these effects may cooperate in reducing the risk to develop arterial thrombosis as well as in the stabilisation of atherosclerotic plaques. n-3 fatty acids have platelet effects, in terms of inhibition of platelet aggregation and thromboxane formation. These effects are present even at treatments with relatively low doses of n-3 fatty acids and they are dependent upon accumulation of EPA and DHA in platelet phospholipids . Interestingly, some of the antiplatelet effects last for relatively long time after the stop of the treatment. n-3 fatty acids may also influence vascular function, by suppressing the biosynthesis of vasoconstrictor prostanoids, and by enhancing the production or release of nitric oxide. Interestingly, DHA, but not EPA was shown to enhance vasodilator mechanisms and to attenuate vasoconstrictor responses in the forearm microcirculation, via predominantly endothelium-independent mechanisms. Moreover studies have been carried out in order to evaluate the potential effects of n-3 fatty acids on the progression of atherosclerosis, determined as intimal-medial thickness progression of carotid arteries using ultrasonic techniques.