A possible mechanism how eicosapentaenoic acid increases red cell filterability

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is known by its anti-atherogenic and anti-thrombotic properties. This protective character of the fatty acid is usually explained through the shift of prostanoid production toward anti-thrombotic direction including depression of platelet aggregability. Since 1981 we have...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBlood & Vessel Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 65 - 67
Main Authors HAMAZAKI, Tomohito, KOBAYASHI, Satoru, URAKAZE, Masaharu, YANO, Saburo, KUMAGAI, Akira
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published The Japanese Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis 1985
Subjects
eicosapentaenoic acid
membrane fluidity
polyunsaturated fatty acids
RBC filterability
viscosity
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Summary:Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is known by its anti-atherogenic and anti-thrombotic properties. This protective character of the fatty acid is usually explained through the shift of prostanoid production toward anti-thrombotic direction including depression of platelet aggregability. Since 1981 we have been reporting the effect of EPA on hemorheology. Because there is a possibility that viscosity of fatty acids themselves may be reflected in membrane fluidity, hence RBC filterability, we measured viscosities of triglycerides and ethylesters of EPA, and other fatty acids. It was found that triglycerides and ethylester of EPA are the less viscous oils than triglycerides and ethylesters containing other fatty acids measured in the experiment, respectively. It is important to prove directly that an increase in EPA content in RBC membrane could increase membrane fluidity.
ISSN:0386-9717
1884-2372
DOI:10.2491/jjsth1970.16.65