Dietary intervention with oil rich fish reduces platelet-monocyte aggregation in man

• Published in: Atherosclerosis Vol. 197; no. 1; pp. 290 - 296
• Main Authors: Din, Jehangir N, Harding, Scott A, Valerio, Christopher J, Sarma, Jaydeep, Lyall, Karin, Riemersma, Rudolph A, Newby, David E, Flapan, Andrew D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.03.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Atherosclerosis - prevention & control; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood coagulation. Blood cells; Blood Platelets - cytology; Blood Platelets - drug effects; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular; Cardiovascular disease; CD40 Ligand - blood; Cell Communication - drug effects; Fatty Acids - blood; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - administration & dosage; Fish Oils - administration & dosage; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Molecular and cellular biology; Monocytes - cytology; Monocytes - drug effects; Oily fish; Omega-3 fatty acids; P-Selectin - blood; Phospholipids - blood; Platelet; Platelet activation; Platelet Aggregation - drug effects; Platelet-monocyte aggregates; Cardiovascular disease; Platelet activation; Platelet-monocyte aggregates; Oily fish; Omega-3 fatty acids; Vascular disease; Aggregation; Human; Platelet; Monocyte; Atherosclerosis; Fish oil
• ISSN: 0021-9150; 1879-1484
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2007.04.047

Abstract Background Dietary intake of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular events. The mechanisms for this are uncertain and previous studies investigating effects on platelet function have produced inconsistent results. Platelet-monocyte aggregation is a sensitive marker of platelet activation and may contribute to the initiation and progression of atherothrombosis. This study assessed the effect of dietary intervention with oily fish on platelet-monocyte aggregation in healthy subjects. Methods Fourteen subjects had their diet supplemented with 500 g of oil-rich fish per week for 4 weeks. A control group of 14 subjects received no dietary intervention over a 4-week period. Platelet-monocyte aggregates were assessed with flow cytometry. Results Dietary intervention with fish led to an increase in omega-3 fatty acids in plasma phospholipids (14.2 ± 3.4% versus 5.8 ± 1.3%, P < 0.001). In contrast to the control group, platelet-monocyte aggregates were reduced by 35% following dietary intervention with oily fish (16.0 ± 9.0% versus 24.8 ± 10.9%, P < 0.01), and returned to basal levels 4 weeks after discontinuation of supplementation. There was an inverse correlation between platelet-monocyte aggregation and plasma omega-3 fatty acid concentrations ( r = −0.421, P = 0.006). There were no changes in the plasma markers of platelet activation, soluble P-selectin or soluble CD40 ligand. Conclusions We have demonstrated, for the first time, that dietary intervention with oil-rich fish reduces platelet-monocyte aggregation in man. Our results suggest that reduced platelet activation provides a potential mechanism through which fish oils confer their cardiovascular preventative benefits.