Associations of medium and long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with blood pressure in Hispanic and non-Hispanic smokers and nonsmokers

Publication date: Available online 12 April 2019Source: Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty AcidsAuthor(s): Kayla R. Zehr, Allison Segovia, Meera Shah, Mary T. Walsh-Wilcox, Barbara H. Brumbach, Joe R. Anderson, Mary K. WalkerSummaryEpidemiology studies and clinical trials have shown that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are inversely associated with blood pressure. We sought to determine the influence of cigarette smoking and Hispanic ethnicity on this association. Age- and sex-matched smokers and nonsmokers (n=98) 19-50 years old lacking cardiovascular disease were recruited. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), heart rate, HbA1c, lipids, BMI, and RBC fatty acids were measured. The omega-3 index (percent eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid, EPA+DHA, in RBCs) was significantly lower in smokers (Smokers: 3.19±0.86%; Nonsmokers, 3.88±1.05%, p=0.001) and Hispanics (Hispanic 3.32±0.93%; Non-Hispanic, 3.82±1.03%, p=0.006). DHA exhibited a significant inverse association with BP in both smokers and nonsmokers, while alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) exhibited a significant positive association with BP only in smokers. Multiple regression analyses showed that BMI, DHA, smoking status, and smoking status*ALA interaction significantly predicted SBP (p<0.0001, R2=0.44) and DBP (p<0.0001, R2=0.33), while ethnicity had no effect. The observed lower BP when DHA levels are high suggests a possible protective role of DHA on BP in normoten...
Source: Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (PLEFA) - Category: Lipidology Source Type: research