ABSTRACT
We assessed the effects of combining moderate exercise training with one daily fish meal as part of a low-fat diet (30 percent total energy) on coagulation and fibrinolytic factors in dyslipidaemic NIDDM patients. In a randomised, controlled, 8-week trial, 55 sedentary NIDDM subjects were assigned to a low-fat diet (30 percent daily energy intake) with or without one fish meal daily (3.6 g W3 fatty acids/day) and further randomised to a moderate (55-65 percent VO 2max) or light heart rate < 100 bpm) exercise programme. In the 49 subjects who completed the study, the fish diet alone, moderate exercise and the combination of fish and moderate exercise all significantly reduced tPA antigen concentrations compared to controls. Changes in fasting blood glucose levels (positively) and erythrocyte w3 fatty acid composition (inversely) were independent predictors of tPA change. Compared to controls, the fish diet alone contributed to a significant rise in factor VIIc but this was prevented by the addition of moderate exercise training, combined with regular fish meals within a low-fat diet, could favour a reduced thrombotic potential and cardiovascular risk in these dyslipidaemic NIDDM patients.(AU)