A high omega-3 fatty acid diet rapidly changes the lipid composition of cardiac tissue and results in cardioprotection.

ABSTRACT

The present study was designed to ascertain the effects of 3 diets with different omega-3/6 fatty acid ratios on infarct size and the modifications that these diets induce in the lipid composition of cardiac tissue. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed omega-3/6 fatty acid diets with 11, 15, or 120 ratios for at least 10 days, followed by occlusion of the left anterior descending artery for 40 min and 24 h of reperfusion. Infarct size was significantly smaller in the 11 group than in the other groups. Significantly higher concentrations of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid were found in the 11 group than in the other groups. Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels were similar between groups, although they were higher in the 15 and 120 groups than in the 11 group. Margaric acid concentrations were higher in the 11 group than in the other groups. Docosahexaenoic acid levels in cardiac tissue and infarct size were significantly correlated with no other significant links being apparent. The present study indicated that a 11 omega-3/6 fatty acid ratio protected against ischemia and was associated with increased omega-3 fatty acid composition of cardiac tissue.