RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Hemostasis is the result of a complex equilibrium between coagulation and fibrinolysis, and the influence of different dietary models on this equilibrium is not entirely known. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the effects of the chronic intake of different dietary models on postprandial hemostasis. DESIGN: In a randomized crossover design, 20 healthy men consumed for 28 d each diets rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and carbohydrates plus n-3 fatty acids (CHO/N3). Fasting and postprandial hemostatic factors (factor VII coagulant activity, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, tissue-type plasminogen activator, d-dimer, and thromboxane B(2)) were measured; meal tests for the postprandial measures were based on butter, virgin olive oil, and walnuts for the SFA, MUFA, and CHO/N3 diets, respectively. RESULTS: There were no differences in the fasting variables after the dietary periods. After the 3 fatty meals were consumed, we observed an increase in thromboxane B(2) and d-dimer and a reduction in tissue plasminogen activator, irrespective of the dietary model. The MUFA or CHO/N3 meals lowered postprandial concentrations of factor VII coagulant activity, although the reduction was greater after the MUFA-enriched meal. The concentration of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 was greater after the SFA meal than after the other 2 meals. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of a fatty meal induces a postprandial procoagulant tendency, irrespective of the type of fat consumed. However, the use of a dietary model rich in SFA creates a more procoagulant environment than does a model that includes MUFA or CHO/N3 as the source of fatty acids.