Abstract

(n-3) diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) reduce the atherogenic lipoproteins, especially the VLDL (very low density lipoproteins) rich in triglycerides but also the LDL, more effectively than (n-6) PUFA-rich diets. Moreover also other parameters such as high blood pressure and aggregation of thrombocytes are positively influenced, similarly like after (n-6) PUFA-rich diet. Eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5, n-3) has a triglyceride- and cholesterol-reducing effect by inhibition of the VLDL-synthesis (apolipoprotein B, triglycerides) in the liver, inhibition of lipogenic liver enzymes, accelerated elimination of VLDL from the circulation, increased excretion of steroids and bile acids into the stools and amelioration of the fat tolerance. The prolongation of the period of haemorrhage and the decrease of the aggregation of thrombocytes is associated with the enrichment of EPA in the platelet membrane. In these cases the decreased thrombocyte-vascular vessel-interaction shall be caused by a changed metabolism of the eicosanoids (secondary products of unsaturated fatty acids with 20 carbon atoms) and eicosanoid-independent mechanisms.