Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Augments Sympathetic Nerve Activity Responses to Physiological Stressors in Humans

An inverse relation exists between omega-3 fatty acid intake and risk of cardiovascular disease development/mortality and sudden cardiac death in humans. Mechanisms underlying this cardioprotective effect are unknown, but could involve the autonomic nervous system. We tested the hypothesis that omeg...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. 1979) Tex. 1979), 2004-11, Vol.44 (5), p.732-738
Main Authors: Monahan, Kevin D, Wilson, Thad E, Ray, Chester A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Arterial hypertension. Arterial hypotension
Biological and medical sciences
Blood and lymphatic vessels
Blood vessels and receptors
Cardiology. Vascular system
Dietary Supplements
Double-Blind Method
Experimental diseases
Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - pharmacology
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hemodynamics - drug effects
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Olea
Peroneal Nerve
Space life sciences
Stress, Physiological
Sympathetic Nervous System - drug effects
Vertebrates: cardiovascular system
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Summary:An inverse relation exists between omega-3 fatty acid intake and risk of cardiovascular disease development/mortality and sudden cardiac death in humans. Mechanisms underlying this cardioprotective effect are unknown, but could involve the autonomic nervous system. We tested the hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (“fish oil”) would reduce muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) at rest and attenuate increases during physiological stressors. MSNA (peroneal microneurography) was measured during rest, ischemic handgrip to fatigue (IHG), and a cold pressor test (CPT). Measurements were obtained before (PRE) and after (POST) 1 month of daily ingestion of either fish oil (experimental group, n=9) or olive oil capsules (control group, n=9). MSNA at rest was comparable PRE and POST in control (3±1 versus 3±1 bursts/30 seconds) and experimental (4±1 versus 5±1 bursts/30 seconds) subjects. IHG and CPT increased MSNA in both groups PRE and POST. MSNA, arterial blood pressure, and heart rate responses to the stressors were similar PRE and POST in the control group. In contrast, MSNA responses to IHG (Δ4±2 and Δ9±2 bursts/30 seconds; P
ISSN:0194-911X
1524-4563
1524-4563
DOI:10.1161/01.HYP.0000145292.38579.f4